CWO David Folder of Tenby ATC recently competed in the Royal British Legion’s National Standard Bearers competition, representing Wales.

The competition was tight, with David coming fifth. Out of a maximum of 450 points, there were only 10 between him and third place.

The competitors are marked on their uniform, standard and general bearing, as well as on their drill. David scored an impressive 370/450, with the winner scoring 405/450.

The Royal British Legion provides lifelong support for the Armed Forces community - serving men and women, veterans, and their families. David has been carrying the Welsh standard for the RBL for two years now, attending various parades around the country, and last November was selected to lead the standards at the Royal British Legion’s Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall. He plans to do the same this year.

Most recently he attended the world premiere of ‘In Parenthesis’, a Welsh National Opera production based on the poem by David Jones depicting the battle of Mametz Wood 1916.

After the performance, there was a memorial service in the Field of Poppies, during which Last Post and Reveille were played. The field contains 923 luminous poppies, standing just short of six feet tall, and each representing a fallen Royal Welch Fusilier who died in the First World War. Each name inscribed on the Thiepval Memorial in France is represented by one of these poppies.

As dusk fell, the field slowly lit into bright red poppies, illuminating the outside of the Wales Millennium Centre. The poppy field was created by the international art and design collective, Squidsoup.

David started carrying the standard through the Air Cadet organisation.

He said: “This is one of the things that being a cadet enables you to do.”

Indeed, through cadets you have the opportunity to go on camps to RAF bases both in the UK and overseas, learning about life in the RAF, leadership skills, adventurous activities, all the while having fun and making good friends. Cadets also allows you to gain qualifications and awards such as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award from bronze to gold, a BTEC in aviation studies and music. You can also do sports such as athletics, rugby, hockey, netball and football.

If you’re interested in joining the Tenby Sqn, then contact AFS Victoria Thomas on [email protected] or CWO David Folder on 01646 651 635. The squadron meets at the end of Tenby train station car park, parading on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 - 9 pm.

CWO Folder is also delighted that he has been awarded a 12-hour flying scholarship with The Air League. A month ago David went all the way to London for an interview, but the travel was worth it, as with scholarships being worth upwards of £2,000 it’s a massive boost!

David is working towards gaining a PPL(A) and is learning with Fly Wales, Haverfordwest.

“I’m delighted that I was awarded this scholarship, it’s such a mental and financial bonus to me,” said CWO David Folder. “I’m also happy to have placed where I did in the national competition, I trained hard and I tried my best, which is the most important thing.”