Members of the Newbury and District branch of the Royal Artillery Association recognised with honours at regiment’s National Assembly

Two members of the Newbury and District branch of the Royal Artillery Association have been recognised for their hard work on behalf of local military veterans.

Trevor Lisseman, the Newbury branch secretary, has been honoured with the Royal Artillery Association’s Gold Medal, the organisation’s highest and most prestigious award.

It was given for exceptional service over the past 10 years, particularly during the Covid pandemic.

The Association said the award honoured “his selfless commitment to the welfare of the Gunner family in the local area and his wider contribution to the Royal Artillery Association as a whole was remarkable”.

Mr Lisseman’s nomination for the award was supported by Garry Poulson, director of Volunteer Centre West Berkshire, in recognition of his voluntary work over the same period coordinating the charity’s fleet of minibuses.

The award was presented by Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Gregory, the Master Gunner St James Park, during the regiment’s National Assembly in Blackpool on Saturday, May 13.

Mr Poulson said: “Trevor has been a volunteer Handybus driver for us for years. We are very proud of him.”

Mark Ballard, the branch’s standard bearer, was also appointed the National Standard Bearer.

In a statement, the association said: “Turning out in all weathers, often at short notice, regimental standard bearers provide visible support to both serving soldiers and veterans at a variety of events up and down the country, ranging from services of remembrance to military parades to family funerals.

“In so doing, they bring a degree of flair, dignity and respect that is admired and appreciated by all in attendance.

“Mark’s turnout, the quality of his drill, and his bearing on parade marked him out from his fellow competitors to win the award.”

It was also presented to him by Lt Gen Gregory.

Both men said they were “surprised and humbled” to receive their awards.

The Newbury and District Branch of the Royal Artillery Association – which meets at 7.30pm on the first Wednesday of every month at Thatcham Town Football Club – welcomes any serving or veteran gunner, their family and friends, or veterans from other regiments and services who wish to join the branch.