A RESERVIST with the Army Medical Services has been awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate — an achievement recognised as one of the highest honours in the forces, ranking just below the MBE.

Gerard Darlington, from Worsley, was presented with his award by Lord Crathorne, Lord-Lieutenant for North Yorkshire.

Staff Sergeant Darlington serves with 335 Medical Evacuation Regiment and has been a reservist for more than 20 years.

He has taken part in bomb disposal clearance and mass grave investigations through to Ambulance Commander, Close Protection work and Quartermaster.

Sgt Darlington has also served on operational tours in Kosovo and Iraq. He said: “I’m simply taken aback at receiving this prestigious award.

“I’m thankful to all my fellow soldiers, officers and peers who have helped me and guided me over the years, which I have no doubt have contributed the wonderful position that I now find myself in. I am honoured to have served with them.

“When I joined the reserves I made a conscious decision to try to make a valuable contribution to the British Army and the work that it does.

“Again, with the help of all the soldiers that I have served with I feel that I have been given the opportunity to achieve this, and for that I am grateful.”

Colonel Snagge, chief executive of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association (RFCA) in Yorkshire and The Humber, which runs the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificates Awards, added: “Without the selfless commitment of many hundreds of volunteers across the region who give up their time outside of working hours, the reserve forces simply couldn’t exist.

“I am delighted that Gerard’s service has been commemorated in this way and I have no doubt he will continue to make a great difference to the Army Reserve.”

Sgt Darlington, who is married to Beverley and has a 22-year-old daughter, Aleshia, was one of only 10 people in North Yorkshire to be awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate, which is presented as a mounted scroll.

He works as a line manager for security at the University of Manchester. For more information about the role of reservists or to find out about becoming an Adult Volunteer in the Cadets, visit the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association website at rfca-york shire. org.uk