A 91-year-old army veteran has created hand-made batons and presented them to a cadet force.

Brian Goulding wanted to support his local Army Cadet Detachment and celebrate its affiliation to The Royal British Legion (RBL).

The Yaxley Detachment with the visitors.The Yaxley Detachment with the visitors. (Image: Second Lieutenant Doug Stuart.)

As he is a skilled wood worker, he decided to create two hand-made batons and present them to Yaxley Detachment.

At a ceremony at Yaxley on July 18, he presented one stick for the use of the most senior cadet and one for the detachment commander.

Both sticks are beautifully made and inset with badges of the RBL and the Royal Anglian Regiment, to whom Yaxley Detachment is also affiliated.

Both sticks were largely created by Mr Goulding, but finished with the help of a friend.

He presented the first stick to 16 year old Cadet Colour Sergeant Eiva Davis, and also gave her a block of bees wax to polish it with.

He presented the other, unexpectedly, to Detachment Commander Sergeant Major Andrew Mackenzie.

Both are certain to be treasured possessions of Yaxley Detachment in the future.

Cdt Colour Sgt Davis said: ‘Its unique to our detachment and it makes me feel really proud." 

SMI Mackenzie commented how nice it was to have visitors from the RBL, including Yaxley branch chairman Tom Cochran, and when presented with the stick said: "I wasn’t expecting it, but it’s a really nice gesture." 

Mr Cochran praised the cadets for their turnout, and for their collecting for the Poppy Appeal.

The Army Cadet Force provides military style training to young people aged 12-18 and works to instil qualities and values including leadership, teamwork, self-discipline and selfless support for others. Yaxley Detachment is one of 30 Cambridgeshire groups, with a combined total of 800 cadets.

Brian Goulding served with the Royal Army Pay Corps between 1960 and 1982 and has been involved with the RBL for 30 years.

He said: "I wanted to make sure the affiliation was sealed for a long time to come. The Army Cadet Force teaches young people to behave themselves and have respect for people who served. Cadets from this Detachment have also been raising money for the Poppy Appeal for at least 40 years."