ROYAL Marines Colour Sergeant Jason Childs has been awarded a Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) in recognition of his exemplary service in the Naval Service.

The 46-year-old who grew up in Llanstephan, near Brecon, joined the Royal Marines for initial training at the Commando Training Centre near Exeter in May 1989, after attending Gwenyfed High School in Three Cocks. He received his MSM on board Lord Nelson’s Flagship HMS Victory in Portsmouth Naval Base.

Jason is married to Dawn and has a son, Lewis, and is a keen sportsman who enjoys running, cycling and rugby when not at work

During his time in the Corps he has undertaken tours of duty in Northern Ireland, Sierra Leone, Kosovo, The Balkans with NATO and the UN, Iraq and four times in Afghanistan, between 2001 to 2009. Jason has also been awarded the Queen’s Golden and Diamond Jubilee medals and a Long Service & Good Conduct medal, with Clasp for 30 years’ service.  

Jason said: “I’ve been extremely fortunate to have been to many different parts of the world, either training with the Royal Marines or deployed during conflicts. It was a great honour to be recognised, recommended and receive this award for my 30 years of service as a Royal Marine. I had absolutely no idea I had been put forward for this prestigious medal and it is truly a privilege to receive it from the Second Sea Lord.”