Friends and family were invited to RAF Brize Norton on Thursday 18th April to attend an Honours and Awards Ceremony.

Honours and Awards Ceremony

19 April 2013

Friends and family were invited to RAF Brize Norton on Thursday 18^th April to attend an Honours and Awards Ceremony.

Group Captain Eddie Cole, Group Captain Support at RAF Brize Norton, presented 19 awards to military and civilian personnel.
Amongst the awards presented were four Long Service and Good Conduct Medals, and two Long Service Good Conduct Medals with clasps. Warrant Officer Westmoreland (Commercial Retail and Leisure) and Master Aircrew Bratley (30 Squadron) received their Royal Warrants. Warrant Officer Westmoreland said,
“As a Logistics Catering Manager I have had an eventful, exciting and often challenging career. Throughout my 28 years in the Service I have seen a great deal of change and a dramatic reduction in Trade Group 19 manning, I therefore consider myself incredibly lucky to serve as a member of the Catering Specialisation and consider the award of a Royal Warrant a huge honour.”

A team award was also presented to Deputy Commander Royal Engineers (DCRE) for their hard work delivering new infrastructure to meet the needs of the RAF’s largest Air Force Base, whilst also installing energy saving measures.

Group Captain Lushington, Station Commander, RAF Brize Norton awarded Commendations to Corporal Croall (24 Squadron), Mr Wyldes (DCRE) and Mrs Priestley (Community Support). Corporal Croall was recognised for volunteering to develop, produce and then deliver a local C-130J Role Equipment training course. Mr Wyldes was recognised for his management of Programme Future Brize infrastructure projects. Mrs Priestley was commended for her dedication to Out of Area Support. Every year she makes up Christmas boxes for deployed personnel, and runs Easter Egg Hunts and Halloween parties for the children of deployed personnel. After receiving her award Mrs Priestley said,
“This came as a total surprise; an absolute shock. It is a real honour to receive this award and something that I most definitely did not expect. I am over the moon”.
Whilst on operations, Flight Sergeants Walkingshaw and Martin, serving in the Falkland Islands, and Camp Bastion Afghanistan, respectively, received their Commanders’ Commendations.
Air Officer Commanding No. 2 Group awarded a Safety Commendation to Mr Bedford from 216 Squadron and a Commendation to Master Aircrew Bratley for his outstanding leadership and vision whilst covering the role of Deputy Flight Commander Plans and Development and overseeing the move of 30 Squadron from RAF Lyneham to RAF Brize Norton.

Air Officer Commanding No. 1 Group awarded a Commendation to Corporal Coates (now working on 10 Squadron) for her outstanding work in the Junior Ranks Mess at RAF Marham.

Chief Technician Ashwell (101 Squadron) and Corporal Berkon (216 Squadron) received their RAF Sports Colour Certificates for representing the RAF at squash and table tennis, respectively. Having received his award, Chief Technician Ashwell said,
“I am really pleased to have been recognised for my contribution to RAF squash, and also hope to receive my Colours for golf depending how next season goes. The RAF has allowed me to continue doing what I love, because fitness is such an important part of being in the Services”.
Editor: Flt Lt Pool
RAF/MOD Crown Copyright 2013