Wilfrid Warnes
I completed my DofE bronze, silver and gold award whilst a member of the ATC, I then joined the regular army before I could collect my gold award and was dispatched to Germany after training and immediately straight out to the first gulf war as a young signalman within 4th armoured brigade.
My mother arranged for me to collect the gold award at St James palace upon my return from Iraq and I remember being in the room with Simon Weston as a speaker, the organisers said the prince will make a beeline for you if you are in uniform especially if you are wearing a medal (much to my fear) this only pointed to one person. (A young 20year old, me)
The prince came into the room and chatted with everyone making all feel at home then he got to me, he got to know my whole military career (which wasn’t that long at this point) all within about 60 seconds then we just chatted for a while, such an amazing character with an unbelievable knack of placing people at ease around him.
I still serve until this day (31yrs service) albeit as an army reservist now, however the experience and life skills I learnt whilst completing all three levels of DofE stand for-most in my mind and I draw upon them on a daily basis.
My advice would be that if you have the opportunity to complete any level of the DofE award you must jump at it and give it your all as it will challenge you in areas that you didn’t think possible, but it will make you learn, grow and strive to achieve for the better.
Lesson you can use until the day you leave this earth.
The little green book, three badges and certificates are all stored safe with my military memorabilia however my pins were stolen in a burglary, the book is a little worn around the edges but then again, so am I.
DofE....something I look back on with immense pride and I can only thank the man who all those years back came up with the idea and gave me the opportunity to be part if it.
RIP Sir.
My mother arranged for me to collect the gold award at St James palace upon my return from Iraq and I remember being in the room with Simon Weston as a speaker, the organisers said the prince will make a beeline for you if you are in uniform especially if you are wearing a medal (much to my fear) this only pointed to one person. (A young 20year old, me)
The prince came into the room and chatted with everyone making all feel at home then he got to me, he got to know my whole military career (which wasn’t that long at this point) all within about 60 seconds then we just chatted for a while, such an amazing character with an unbelievable knack of placing people at ease around him.
I still serve until this day (31yrs service) albeit as an army reservist now, however the experience and life skills I learnt whilst completing all three levels of DofE stand for-most in my mind and I draw upon them on a daily basis.
My advice would be that if you have the opportunity to complete any level of the DofE award you must jump at it and give it your all as it will challenge you in areas that you didn’t think possible, but it will make you learn, grow and strive to achieve for the better.
Lesson you can use until the day you leave this earth.
The little green book, three badges and certificates are all stored safe with my military memorabilia however my pins were stolen in a burglary, the book is a little worn around the edges but then again, so am I.
DofE....something I look back on with immense pride and I can only thank the man who all those years back came up with the idea and gave me the opportunity to be part if it.
RIP Sir.
