05/10/2026
PO (SCC) Kevin Steele Honoured with Prestigious Certificate for Meritorious Service
Kevin Steele, Band Master at Poole Sea Cadets, has been presented with a Certificate for Meritorious Service at a Lord Lieutenant's Awards ceremony.
The certificate was presented personally by His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant, recognising Kevin’s exceptional dedication and outstanding contribution to Dorset and the wider Wessex area.
Kevin has volunteered with the Sea Cadets continuously since September 2008, giving more than 17 years of dedicated service to young people in Poole. As Band Master, he delivers band training every Friday evening and throughout weekends, and has helped the Poole Sea Cadets Band progress from area competitions to national level on multiple occasions. His commitment extends beyond music, with Kevin regularly repairing instruments to give them a new lease of life, supporting cadets from neighbouring units without bands, and contributing to parade nights through marine engineering instruction and summer boatwork activities.
His contribution also reaches far beyond the Sea Cadet unit. Kevin regularly leads the band at civic events and volunteers as a solo bugler at remembrance services, funerals and commemorative occasions, often at short notice and always with dignity and professionalism.
Lt (SCC) Reece Oliver RNR, Commanding Officer of Poole Sea Cadets, said: “Kevin’s contribution over the last 17 years has been exceptional. He gives an enormous amount of his time to our cadets, not only developing the band to an incredibly high standard, but also repairing instruments, teaching engineering, supporting boatwork and representing the unit at important civic and remembrance occasions. What makes Kevin particularly special is that he never sees his role as being limited to our unit he actively creates opportunities for cadets from neighbouring units too. I am incredibly proud to see his commitment and service recognised with this award.”
The Lord Lieutenant's Awards are among the highest regional honours, presented personally by His Majesty's Lord Lieutenant on behalf of the Sovereign. They recognise outstanding individuals whose dedication and service make a real difference to their communities and to the nation.
