A SOLDIER from the Territorial Army unit in Redditch has been awarded a commendation for his efforts while on operational duty in Afghanistan.

Lance Corporal Roy Jones from the Light Aid Detachment at Redditch’s 37th Signal Regiment was one of more than 80 soldiers from the regiment who volunteered to serve on operations last year.

His achievements while in Afghanistan gained the attention of the Commander of Equipment Capability, Joint Forces Support (Afghanistan), Colonel CT McClean MBE, who has awarded him a certificate of commendation for his endeavours.

Lance Corporal Jones, from Rubery, deployed on Operation HERRICK 16 in Afghanistan as a member of the Equipment Support Liaison Team where he was responsible for getting vital equipment from Camp Bastion to the patrol bases in the Nar-e-Saraj district of Helmand province.

He spent six months, during which time he collected more than 600 different pieces of equipment from a wide range of locations and ensured they correctly reached the soldiers who needed them. He was praised for his ‘humour and professionalism’, despite the fact he was travelling to ‘dangerous and austere locations’.

In his citation, Colonel CT McClean MBE stated that “Jones is a credit to the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers and is the best Territorial Army soldier I have had the pleasure of commanding.”

37th Signal Regiment (V) is based in Moons Moat, Redditch and is responsible for providing vital communications systems in times of national emergencies alongside providing volunteers to support operations. In the last 12 months members of the regiment have served in Afghanistan, Cyprus and in support of the 2012 Olympic Games.

37th Signal Regiment (V) is currently recruiting as part of plans to increase the Territorial Army by 15,000.

For information, call 01527 599324 or see ARMY.MOD.UK/JOBS or ARMY.MOD.UK/SIGNALS/25280.ASPX