Albyn School pupil Magnus Lawson, 17, was appointed to the prestigious role of Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet for the city of Aberdeen. The Lord-Lieutenant is the King’s official representative and the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet is an aide and representative of the cadet forces to the British royal family and the Lord-Lieutenant.
Upper School (S5) pupil Magnus was presented with his official certificate and badge by David Cameron, the Lord Provost of Aberdeen who is also His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeen. The special ceremony, which took place on Tuesday May 23, was attended by Magnus’s close family as well as Pete Macklin, Contingent Commander of the CCF (Combined Cadet Force) and Deputy Head of Lower School (P3-P7) at Albyn School.
Magnus is thrilled to begin his year-long appointment on Armed Forces Day on Saturday June 24.
He said: “I am excited to be able to represent cadets for Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire and attend cadet events and military events with the Lord-Lieutenant.
“I am looking forward to finding out more about my responsibilities and which events I will attend.”
Magnus joined Albyn School CCF (RAF) Section in August 2019 and completed his part task trainer (PTT) ground training, flew with No. 12 Air Experience Flight (12 AEF) at Leuchars Station and obtained his Blue Wings (an air cadet badge) – complete with Blue Leadership, Blue Radio and Bronze Cyber qualifications – in the first year.
Not even a coronavirus lockdown got in the way of Magnus’s ambition. The determined pupil achieved his Silver Cyber award through an online course and completed The Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.
In 2022, he attended the Air Cadet Leadership Course at RAF College Cranwell, passing with merit and gaining his Gold Leadership Badge. He also attended the Drill and Ceremonial Camp as well as the National Air and Space Camp the same year.
Magnus, who is currently working towards The Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, said: “I like getting to shoot and go flying. I am thinking of studying mechanical or aeronautical engineering.
“Getting onto the Air Cadet Leadership Course last summer is definitely one of my highlights of being a cadet.
“I have learned a lot about leadership and teamwork as I am also involved in running the School’s RAF section. I have also gained new skills by doing fieldcraft.”
Outside of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets (RAFAC), Magnus has achieved excellence in many other areas. He has participated in and won several regional and national rowing competition and he has also represented his school and country at Laser Run events.
Magnus regularly represents Albyn School in maths competitions. He has also taken part in Go4SET, an engineering challenge where he designed and presented a product to a board, earning a Bronze Level Industrial Cadets Cadet award. Within the Young Enterprise scheme, Magnus is currently a managing director of the school group, developing skills in leadership, negotiation, marketing, and planning.
Flight Lieutenant Pete Macklin commented: “We are very proud of Sgt Lawson being nominated as Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet. His dedication and enthusiasm to the CCF has been of great encouragement to the contingent.
“The honour of being selected for this role recognises his commitment and hard work to his own contingent and the wider RAFAC organisation.
“Magnus makes the most of every opportunity presented to him so I am certain he will excel in his new role as the Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet.
“His level-headed approach to leadership, as well as his keen intellect, allowed him to develop not only cadets of his age, but also the younger pupils in the section.”
Headmaster Stefan Horsman added: “We are all immensely proud of Magnus and we wish him the very best for his tenure. He is an excellent ambassador for Albyn School as well as the RAFAC.”