Rear Admiral Nicholas Lambert visited Poole Sea Cadets recently to help them celebrate their successes in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme – Prince Philip’s greatest legacy.

To attain a Duke of Edinburgh Award is a great personal achievement and Rear Admiral Lambert emphasised this to the cadets as he presented them with their awards. He said he had benefited from the scheme, so he knew what it was like.

The cadets were on their qualifying expedition in the New Forest when they heard that Prince Philip had died and the sad news had brought them to a temporary standstill.

His Royal Highness Prince Philip served as Admiral of the Sea Cadet Corps from 1952 to 1992. This was in addition to his own distinguished wartime Royal Navy career after which he became Lord High Admiral of the Fleet and Captain General Royal Marines.

Rear Admiral Lambert had spent much of his time at sea aboard HM ships Birmingham, Ark Royal and Cardiff before commanding HMS Brazen and HMS Newcastle. He went on to become captain of the ice patrol ship Endurance before being appointed the UK National Hydrographer.

As a master mariner Rear Admiral Lambert possesses a particular interest in training and education in the maritime sector hence his personal enthusiasm for his visit to Poole Sea Cadets for the award ceremony.

The Duke of Edinburgh Awards can be at Bronze, Silver or Gold levels. All levels involve Poole Sea Cadets, amongst others, in helping the community and environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.

Achieving a Duke of Edinburgh Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries. These are the exact same aims as those of the Sea Cadet Corps, so the two organisations work in perfect harmony.