Paul Farndale, of Langley Drive, recently retired from his role as Regimental Sergeant Major (RMS) with the Humberside and South Yorkshire Army Cadets.

The past 51 years have seen the 65-year-old serve as a cadet, work his way up through the ranks of the Territorial Army (TA) and then pass on his knowledge to the next generation of cadets as an adult instructor.

“I found it very rewarding and I enjoyed it because otherwise I wouldn’t have carried on,” said Mr Farndale. “I can never remember the bad times. I have made good friends and seen places I would not have normally seen, especially with the TA.”

His association with the Army began as a 14-year-old in 1957 when he joined the Malton branch of the Army Cadets – staying with them for four years before the Territorial Army beckoned.

Until his retirement in 1994, Mr Farndale served with the York-based 1st Battalion Yorkshire Volunteers – rising through the ranks, witnessing several regimental name changes and visiting Germany, Cyprus, Norway and Gibraltar on exercises several times – while making life-long friends along the way.

His final role as RMS meant he was in charge of the ammunition stores, clothing, accommodation and more.

He then returned to the Army Cadets – the Ministry of Defence funded youth organisation – as an adult instructor. Spells followed with both the Yorkshire North and West Army Cadets and the Humberside and South Yorkshire Cadets where he was a Regimental Sergeant Major until his 65th birthday and final retirement.

Mr Farndale, who is a member of Norton Town Council, has also stepped down as the parade marshall of Malton’s Remembrance Day march after 22 years in charge – to let some “younger blood” come through, but he remains a committee member of the Malton, Norton and District Royal British Legion.

“As a cadet it taught me discipline,” said Mr Farndale, who also credits the support of an understanding wife, Maureen, and two grown up children.

“That carried on in the TA – giving me discipline again and teaching me about life.

“And then when you go back to the cadets, you are pulling all the experience you have gained and passing it on to other people – not keeping it to yourself – that’s how everybody learns.”

The Army Cadets are always looking for new adult instructors, he added, and it is a role which he would recommend to anyone.

Mr Farndale said: “It is very rewarding when you see the change in some of the kids. When they come in and they are little devils and they then turn out in the end to be a Sergeant Major in the cadets and smart as buttons and their school sees a change in their attitude.

“It has kept me young because you are working with young ones. I’m a great believer that if you are working with young ones you keep young at heart.”