Jamie Edwards presented with Meritorious Service Medal
WO1 Edwards being presented his meritus service medal by CBF Cdre Steve Dainton
Last week Commodore Steve Dainton, Commander British Forces Gibraltar, presented Warrant Officer First Class (WO1) Jamie Edwards with the prestigious Meritorious Service Medal (MSM).
WO1 Edwards received the award following exceptional service throughout his whole career and follows the award of the Long Service Good Conduct medal, which he received in 2015.
WO1 Edwards has been recognised for his wholehearted commitment to the Army, particularly, the Army Chef trade group for the last 23 years.
“WO1 Edwards has been an outstanding soldier, leader and role model during his career,” an MOD statement said.
“WO1 Edwards has been the epitome of a selfless soldier and dedicated leader who has set the highest standards for himself and others.”
As an experienced soldier, WO1 Edwards has served with distinction in several Army regiments in the UK. However, it is on operations where WO1 Edward has excelled, deploying twice to Iraq and 4 times to Afghanistan.
WO1 Edwards being presented his meritus service medal by CBF Cdre Steve Dainton
In 2008, during Op HERRICK 8 (Afghanistan), he supervised catering for up to 6000 personnel at Camp Bastion and sustained catering support of food for all UK Forward Operating Bases (FOB). He personally deployed forward to austere locations to ensure the catering and rationing needs of those in the FOB were constantly met.
Later, WO1 Jamie Edwards was appointed as the Senior Military Instructor at the Defence School of Catering. Although allowing his instructors the space to teach, he would often take time away from the office to return to the kitchen and deliver master-classes to his subordinates, imparting his wealth of knowledge onto the next generation of chefs from all three Services.
On presenting the award, Commodore Steve Dainton said: “To be awarded a Meritorious Service Medal, an individual must have good, faithful, valuable and meritorious service, with conduct judged to be irreproachable throughout.”
“You have shown that level of commitment, that level of value and that level of merit that deserves this today. So many, many, many congratulations from me. It is a fabulous achievement for you, and it is a great honour for me to present you with the Meritorious Service Medal.”
