TWO long-serving members of the Army Reserve have been honoured for their dedicated service to the Royal Wessex Yeomanry’s C Squadron, based in Cirencester.

Captain Phillip Mitchell and Staff Sergeant Darren Read received their Certificates for Meritorious Service from Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Gloucestershire, Dame Janet Trotter DBE.

The presentation took place during ceremonies at the Officers Mess, Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, Gloucester.

Mr Mitchell, a tax advisor who lives in Cheltenham, joined the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars, now C (RGH) Squadron of The Royal Wessex Yeomanry, in 1986.

He served through the ranks before being commissioned in 2007, playing a key role in organising Squadron Association activities, including battlefield tours. He recently retired from the Army Reserve (formerly the Territorial Army).

Mr Read, who lives in Buckinghamshire and works for the MoD, completed 22 years regular service with the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment before joining the permanent staff at Cirencester in 2004.