The Honorary Vice Admiral of the Royal Naval Reserve – better known as Prince Michael of Kent – dropped in on Gateshead’s unit to thank families and employers for their support and reward some stalwarts of the Service.
He told all present at HMS Calliope that the ongoing encouragement and moral – and physical – support of loved ones and employers was key to enabling Reservists to carry out their important duties alongside their Regular counterparts in the Regular Royal Navy.
During the reception at the establishment on the south bank of the Tyne, three Calliope officers who’d accumulated nearly 100 years’ service in the Reserve and Cadet Forces were presented with awards to mark their achievement.
Head of the Royal Naval Reserve Medical Branch (and a consultant general surgeon at Sunderland Hospital) Surg Cdr Peter Small, who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, was presented with the Volunteer Reserve Service Medal (VRSM).
Lt Cdr Duncan Young was presented with a second clasp to his VRSM.
An experienced mine warfare specialist who’s spent periods as a ‘full time’ Reservist working alongside his regular counterparts, Duncan is a resilience officer for Sunderland City Council during the week.
Lt Paul Ladislaus was presented with the first clasp to the VRSM. Paul is a Maritime Trade Operations Specialist and he has spent time in the Gulf supporting anti-piracy efforts.
Paul is a chartered chemical engineer with Thomas Swan & Co Ltd, an independent North East-based independent firm manufacturing specialty chemicals.
He took his boss Dr Andy Goodwin to the reception to give him a greater insight into the RN.
“It was a great opportunity to visit HMS Calliope and learn more about what Paul does when he goes away with the Royal Navy,” said Dr Goodwin.
“We appreciate that he gains leadership skills with the Reserve Service which he brings back into our workforce and makes a positive impact.”
Calliope’s CO Cdr Ian Berry said: “We are very privileged that His Royal Highness was able to take the time to present these three individuals from very different civilian careers with their long service awards.
“However, we should also recognise that they could not have achieved this without the support of their employers, friends and families.”
