by B. Roach
Honoured prison officers with the Governor and his wife
Ten past and present prison officers received medals, clasps and badges in honoured of their exemplary conduct and long service, in an awards ceremony held at Government House last week Thursday, November 7, 2013.
The event, which took place in the evening to honour the officers who have served a minimum of 18 years. They will each receive the Overseas Territories Prison Officers medal for good conduct and long service.
Governor Adrian Davis who hosted the awards ceremony at Government House, explains: “The medal is awarded to all rounds of ranks of the Prison Service in the Overseas Territories to those officers who have served 18 years of service. Officers should have completed continuous service during this time,” as he joked, “ in an abundance of caution I should say that these medals are only available to the Prison Offices not for prisoners who in some cases may have served even longer time.
Plaques are granted to recipients of the medal who complete 25 years service and a subsequent plaque for those completing 35 years of service. ”I know one person in this room has served 26 years we don’t have the plaques yet but we will be getting them,” the Governor told the guests and observers.
The Overseas Territories Prison Service Medal was formerly known as the Colonial Prison Service Medal which when was first introduced in October 1955. The new medal and title was first minted and made in 2012.
Five officers currently overseas have already received their medals, the most recent being those in England who received their medals last week in the UK during the Governor’s visit there. These were Ivan Farrell, James “John” Farrell and Ruel Hixon received their medals in England.
Receiving their medals here included three who are currently serving: Theodore Woodley and Rupert Harris in Montserrat and Neville Wade who is serving in Cayman Islands. The others are all retired.
Names of the recipients are: 18 years – Mary V. Allen, Rupert Harris, Theodore Woodley and Peter White. 19 Years – Dennis Silcott. 20 years – Alfred Thomas Farrell and Alfred Williams. 22 years – Neville Wade. 23 years – Veronica C. Browne. 26 years – Philip O’Garro.
The above three photos – courtesy Wayne Fenton
