Honours for local TA squadron

The men spent six months posted overseas as part of Operation Herrick 17. The Lord Lieutenant for Dunbartonshire, Rear Admiral Michael Gregory OBE, presented Afghanistan medals to the soldiers while one local man, Sergeant Scott West (39), from Abronhill, was singled out for a special award - the Lord Lieutenant’s certificate for Service to the Armed Forces. Scott received this in recognitiion that he had been doing many of the duties usually carried out by a staff sergeant.

Soldiers who have served ten years or more with the Territorial Army were also given the Volunteer Reserve Service Medal. Care home company owner and Tony Banks, the honorary colonel of 71 Engineer Regiment, was also present to congratulate the troops on a job well done.

Scott’s local colleagues who also received medals were Lance Corporal Gary Gauld from Carbrain, and Sapper Peter Forbes

The soldiers’ families were also in attendance to see their loved ones being honoured and afterwards there was a slap up buffet for everyone.

Captain Dave Somerville, the commanding officer of the TA barracks in Glencryan Road, said: “It was a very nice night but nobody partied the night away as the following morning we were out on Balloch Loch doing watermanship. Boats and hangovers don’t mix!”

More local TA members are currently serving overseas in Operation Herrick 18 and a similar presentation is planned for December.

For more pictures, see this week’s Cumbernauld News or Kilsyth Chronicle dated Wednesday, July 10.