ROYAL Navy sailors from Worcester have been rewarded for going above and beyond their call of duty.
Chief Petty Officer Tony Scripps, 47, and Warrant Officer Stephen Haidon, 49, were both awarded the prestigious Meritorious Service Medal by the Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral David Steel last Tuesday (February 18).
Medic CPO Scripps, from Worcester, has served for more than 25 years and now works as a Naval Service careers advisor at the Gloucester Armed Forces Careers Office.
WO1 Haidon was brought up in the city and has served in the Navy for more than 33 years. He works as the Weapon Engineering Officer at the Commodore Portsmouth Flotilla Fishery Protection Squadron.
“This award was totally unexpected and a very pleasant surprise as I enter the twilight years of my Royal Navy career,” he said.
“I can’t really pick a favourite deployment as all the various jobs throughout my career have provided suitable challenges to ensure they have been enjoyable and provided excellent memories.”
The pair, along with all other recipients, received their awards on board HMS Victory and were then offered a tour of Portsmouth’s historic dockyard.
Admiral Steel said: “I am exceptionally honoured to present these Meritorious Service Medals to an outstanding group of personnel.
“These awards are given to those who, in 20 years or more of service to the Royal Navy, have maintained the highest, unbroken standard of conduct and proved themselves to be truly remarkable individuals in their line of work.
“They set an incredible example for others to follow and should be extremely proud of all they have achieved.”
