A dedicated cadet major who was honoured at a moving memorial service has been nominated for the highest level of award.

Cadets, adult volunteers, members of the Royal British Legion and Army personnel gathered to remember and celebrate the life and achievements of Major Linda Johnston, an adult volunteer for Cumbria Army Cadet Force (ACF), at a special service at Whitehaven United Reformed Church.

They joined members of her family and the public to pay tribute to the hard-working woman who helped hundreds of youngsters achieve BTEC and Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

Colonel Anthony Steven, commandant of Cumbria ACF, read the eulogy announcing that Major Johnston, of Whitehaven, had been nominated for the Lord Lingfield Gold Award. This, he said, is the top award for adult volunteers nationally working with the Cadet Vocational Qualifications Organisation to further cadet and adult volunteer education.

Only one Lord Lingfield award is given out annually.

Colonel Steven said: “On the day which would have been Major Linda Johnston’s 59th birthday it was right that Cumbria ACF, the Royal British Legion and members of other cadet forces came together to pay tribute to this extraordinary woman whose hard work will be a very tough act to follow.”

Major Johnston was nominated for the award by the Cadet Vocational Qualifications Organisation in recognition of her educational efforts.


Linda Johnston Members of Major Johnston’s family are due to attend the award presentation ceremony at Sandhurst on Thursday where an announcement will be made.

Among the guests of honour were Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria representative Colonel Tom McMullen, Brigadier Chris Coles of 42 Brigade and HQ North West, and Major Shaun Laidler, representing The Duke of Lancaster’s Regiment. Ian Kelly and Paul Hotson represented the Cadet Vocational Qualifications Organisation and presented BTEC awards to four cadets who had been supervised by Major Johnston; Sergeant Major Nathan Barwick, of Brampton; Sergeant Katie Keal, of Carlisle; Sergeant Oliver Seward, of Longtown; and Corporal Bailey Armstrong.

Cadet Corporal William Manning, 16, of Wigton, said: “I thought it was a great way to remember her because it wasn’t a sad ceremony.

“It celebrated all the positive things that she achieved for members of Cumbria Army Cadet Force and all the things she helped with beyond the ACF as well. It was a great way of commemorating that.

“She helped me a lot with my BTEC and I thought that it was right that I showed my respect for her for helping me so much with my work.”

Major Johnston passed away suddenly but peacefully in her sleep at her daughter’s house in Sunderland last month.