MBE in birthday honours
Anthony Lamb, Assistant Head Co-Curricular at Eastbourne College has been awarded an MBE in the 2017 Queen’s Birthday Honours for his services to the College CCF and wider cadet movement.
The award citation reads as follows:
“Colonel Anthony Lamb has served as a Cadet Forces Adult Volunteer for 22 years; 15 of these as Contingent Commander in two different schools. At Eastbourne College, he commands 330 cadets and 28 officers; one of the largest tri-service units in the country.
Under the Government inspired Cadet Expansion Programme, he established one of the first independent-state CCF partnerships with Ratton Academy Trust (now in its third year) and forged strong links with the local Sea Cadets and Air Training Corps units. Generating growth at a time of great turbulence in CCF funding and administration, a difficult political climate, and a tendency in the independent sector to downplay its cadet operation, is testament to his powers of persuasion, enthusiasm for the cadet movement, sheer hard work and ability to be an example to all. He leads by example, being transparently principled and straightforward: a man who makes things happen by his own efforts and by inspiring effort in others.
In 2007, Colonel Lamb set a fine example when given a leave of absence from his work at the College in order to undertake an operational tour of Iraq as a member of the Territorial Army.
Colonel Lamb has supported the National Cadet Training Centre Frimley Park as Assistant Directing Staff on CCF Courses. Additionally, he has given considerable time to the Cadet Expansion Programme. He is very highly regarded and influential on the CCF circuit where head teachers and other decision makers seek his counsel. He has served as National CCF Association representative for the South East for the past seven years. There is plentiful first-hand testimony to the practical improvement he brought about through clear vision, good humour, hard work and patience. Much of every school holiday is given up to CCF work.
In addition to his CCF role, Colonel Lamb was, from 2010 – 2013, County Commandant of the Sussex Army Cadet Force. His boundless energy and work ethic in this post instilled a greater set of values and elicited much higher standards than had been apparent before. As a result of his leadership and vision, Sussex ACF emerged from a difficult time to become a highly regarded unit. In 2014, whilst still Contingent Commander at Eastbourne, Colonel Lamb became Colonel Cadets 11 Infantry Brigade and HQ South East where he proved invaluable acting as the Brigade Commandant’s eyes and ears on cadet force matters, only stepping down to focus on his new Army Reserves appointment as Colonel Reserves Royal Signals. In the latter role, he has shown his ability to bring structure, fresh ideas and energy to this organisation.
Colonel Lamb continues to champion a wider understanding of the cadet organisation and supports the new Cadet Force Commissioning Board. He delivered the briefing to new contingent commanders at the Defence Academy’s inaugural conference for head teachers in 2015.
Colonel Lamb is an inspiring role model. For the exceptional quality of his service, and leadership, he is most strongly recommended for a national award.”
