News
The Prince of Wales presents operational medals to Commando Helicopter Force at Clarence House
9th December 2011
The Prince of Wales presented operational medals to the servicemen and women from Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) today for their service in Afghanistan.
Three squadrons from the Royal Navy's Commando Helicopter Force marched from Wellington Barracks past Buckingham Palace to Clarence House at midday, cheered by onlookers as they passed.
The Prince handed out medals and chatted to the servicemen in the Clarence House gardens, watched by their families and loved ones, before hosting a reception for them at St. James’s Palace.
There were around 110 medal recipients, with nearly 200 additional guests.
Lieutenant William Major, who led 845 squadron on the march to Clarence House, said the experience was "amazing".
He said: "It was a fantastic feeling to march around in front of Buckingham Palace and turn on to the Mall.
"It gives you a sense of it being worthwhile."
He said: "It's hugely rewarding to be able to support the troops on the ground in Afghanistan."
The CHF has been involved in front line operations continuously since the 1991 Gulf War. Elements of 845 and 846 NAS Sea King helicopters have been operating from Camp Bastion in Afghanistan since 2007.
They have now returned to their UK base in Yeovilton in Somerset, where The Prince was based with 845 squadron in the 1970s.
Warrant Officer 2 Dave Belcher, an engineering officer from Weymouth, will shortly transfer to a job in Portsmouth after eight years with 847 squadron.
He said: "I'm very proud of my unit, I'm very glad to have been with it for so long, and today has a lot of meaning that we've come together and get presented with a medal in this way."
He said meeting The Prince made it "all the more special".
Lieutenant Kate Munari, from the Royal Australian Navy, has completed three tours with 846 squadron in Afghanistan as part of a four-year posting.
She described Afghanistan as an "amazing operational experience".
She said of the ceremony: "It's really amazing. I would have loved it if my parents could have been here.
"I think the first part where we marched past Buckingham Palace when the traffic stopped and there's people on the side of the street - that was amazing."
She said a ceremony in Clarence House was "100% different" to being presented with a medal informally.
She added: "Not just for yourself but more for your family as well. They are thrilled to bits with this sort of treatment.
"It makes a difference because you do it as your job normally, you don't think much of it.
"Then to get this, you think, 'well, I am doing something that's worthwhile and a bit special'".
Andrew Richardson, an engineering technician in 846 squadron, said it was a "proud day".
He said: "It's more than I expected, actually. I didn't expect so many people lining the streets."
Chief Petty Officer Andrew Slater from 845 squadron, watched by wife Tracey, said he had also served in Northern Ireland and Bosnia and today was the smartest medal ceremony he had yet attended.
He said: "You don't get much better than this."