Tri-Service

Personnel And Veterans Named In New Year Honours

A D-Day veteran and a Falklands hero have been named in 2016's New Year Honours to celebrate their achievements.

They’re just two names from a long list of forces recipients recognised by the Queen for their record of service.

Veteran George Batts has been honoured with an MBE after sailing to Normandy 70 years ago at the age of just 18.

He joins an illustrious ranks of recipients, including the First Sea Lord, Admiral Sir George Zambellas, who receives the Order of the Bath for service of the highest calibre.

Admiral Sir George Zambellas (right) with the Chief of the Defence Staff

Falklands hero Simon Weston OBE (top) has now added a CBE to his list of honours, for his work with several charities.

Those involved with fighting the Ebola virus were also singled out.

Major Albert Keeling MBE helped deliver a Field Hospital to combat Ebola in Sierra Leone, while in the UK, Dr Michael Jacobs treated Army reservist Anna Cross and nurses Will Pooley and Pauline Cafferkey after they contracted the virus.

Dr Michael Jacobs (left) has been awarded a knighthood

Further honours went to Afghanistan veteran Cpl Carl McAvoy, for returning to service after being shot, and Captain Naveed Muhammad.

Capt Muhammad, a reservist who served in the Balkans, is listed for enhancing Army relations with the Muslim community, and for serving as a role model.

Captain Naveed Muhammad has served in R SIGNALS for almost 30 years

Air Commodore Lincoln Scott Taylor also made the list, for leading the delivery of Britain’s new fighter jet programme - UK Lightning II. The jets will operate from the new Queen Elizabeth Class carriersfrom 2018.

Those who help with flood relief weren’t forgotten either. Colonel Tom Griffiths delivered Support Command’s response to Britain’s floods last spring.

Flight Lieutenant Thomas Dunlop has been recognised, meanwhile, for his exceptional contribution to the sport of natural luge.

The Secretary of State for Defence said:

"I extend my warmest congratulations to all the military and civilian personnel working in defence who have been recognised in Her Majesty The Queen’s New Year’s Honours list."

"Their dedication and achievements help to keep Britain safe and they deserve our wholehearted thanks and praise."