Afghanistan medals for Colchester military police

156 Provost Company RMP is part of 16 Air Assault Brigade which last month returned from a six month tour of duty in Helmand Province, Southern Afghanistan. The Commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade and the Commander of the British Forces in Afghanistan for that period, Brigadier Ed Butler DSO MBE, presented the medals along with a number of Commander's Commendations to individuals for their service during the operation.

While members of 156 Pro Coy RMP were in Afghanistan this summer, some of their colleagues also went to Lebanon to assist with the evacuation of British citizens. Before the medal parade, a Service of Remembrance was held at the Garrison Church. Also in attendance were representatives from the Royal Military Police Association (RMPA), the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans and the British Korean Association.

Speaking before the ceremony, Sergeant Major Martin White, Regimental Sergeant Major of 156 Pro Coy RMP, said:

"The idea of the day is to bring together all personnel who have served with the Company on operations both overseas and in Colchester, to provide a suitable day on which they can share and reflect on their contribution with friends and family and remember those who we have lost during operations."

One of those presented with a medal was Corporal Leigh Carpenter:

"It was a nice day and everybody was proud to be involved in the ceremony," he said. "It was a fitting end to the tour. It was also great that Brigadier Butler was there, he had a lot of nice things to say and made us all feel proud to have done the job."

Cpl Carpenter, 32, from Devon, added:

"Brigadier Butler thanked the whole company, no matter what job they were doing, saying that collectively the company did a good job. That helped make it a really proud day for me. Some of the medals I have received in the past I don't feel as strongly about but I'll certainly be proud to wear the Afghanistan medal."