Barbados Defence Force Medal Ceremony
BDF Media Release| 16 July 19
Photography credit: BDF Media
The Barbados Defence Force awarded servicepersons in a Medal Ceremony for their contributions to Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR), Building Rehabilitation and to the CARICOM Disaster Response Unit. Prime Minister, the Honourable Mia Mottley, Members of the Defence Board and the Deputy Executive Director of the Regional Security System presented the medals. HA/DR operations encompass a wide variety of tasks including security and relief supplies distribution needed in the immediate aftermath of a catastrophic event.
The Prime Minister in her feature address, reaffirmed the importance of the Barbados Defence Force in protecting Barbados’ values and interests; youth development through the Barbados Cadet Corps and Sports Programme and the support to our Regional brothers and sisters during perilous times. She further emphasized that the contributions made yearly and especially during the period of the Atlantic Weather Systems, the efforts made by the men and women of the BDF cannot be underscored or taken lightly.
It is through the recognition of these efforts that the Prime Minister encouraged and endorsed the strengthening of the Barbados Cadet Corps Sea Cadet Programme by 1,000 members.
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Prime Minister Mottley congratulated the members of the Force who received the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM), General Service Medal (GSM) and the Regional Security System Medal (RSSM). The MSM was presented to Major Patrick Skeete for his contribution to youth development in Barbados and the Caribbean.
Seventy-eight (78) members of the BDF who participated in HA/DR relief operations under the auspices of the Regional Security System in the Commonwealth of Dominica, Operation SISSEROU in 2015. Included in the recipients of the GSM was Mrs Doreen Louis–Prescott, mother of the late Private Daniel Louis who died in a vehicle accident in December 2016. Fifteen servicepersons who participated in CARICOM Disaster Relief Unit operations in the British Virgin Islands in 2017 received the GSM or clasps.
The RSSM was presented to 232 servicepersons who participated in HA/DR operations in the Commonwealth of Dominica, Operation SUPPETIOR in 2017 and to members who participated in RSS disaster response housing rehabilitation operations in Barbuda in 2018.
In the military, the awarding of medals and commendations enjoy a richly symbolic purpose of duly recognizing its servicepersons. It is deeply rooted in the finest traditions of the profession-of-arms whereby ceremonies such as this salute the qualities of sacrifice, determination and courage.
Highlights
Commodore (Cdre) Errington Shurland enlisted in the Barbados Defence Force in February 1984.
Colonel Glyne Grannum joined the Barbados Defence Force (BDF) on 18 October 1985 and underwent career development training at the Canadian Forces Officer Candidate School, Chilliwack and the Combat Training Centre, Gagetown New Brunswick, Canada. He subsequently attended the Infantry Training Centre and the Signal Wing in Warminster, UK (PCBC and RSO Courses respectively), the International Institute of Humanitarian Law in San Remo, Italy; the Lester Pearson Canadian Peacekeeping Centre, the Canadian Land Forces Command and Staff College, Kingston, the Canadian Forces Command and Staff College, Toronto, the National Defence University of the People’s Liberation Army People’s Republic of China and the Centre for Hemispheric Defence Studies, National Defence University, Washington. He also attended a Defence Resources Management programme at National Defence Headquarters, Ottawa, Canada. In addition to being a qualified infantry officer, Col Grannum is a qualified Regimental Signals Officer and a former Operations Officer and Finance Officer of the BDF.
Colonel Banfield joined the Barbados Battalion of the South Caribbean Force in 1941 having just left the Cadet Corps at Combermere School, and was granted a commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1942. He was a Platoon Commander and a Company Commander during the war and served in Barbados, Dominica (as part of the Gale Force), St Lucia and St Vincent.
Warrant Officer Class 1 Colin Marshall is a graduate of the St Michael, and was born on the 5 November 1969 and enlisted in the Barbados Defence Force on 16 August 1994. He was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal in August 1997, Corporal in 1999, Sergeant in 2007, Color Sergeant in 2014, Warrant Officer Class Two in 2017 and Warrant Officer Class One in 2020. He was Most Outstanding Student on Junior Leadership Course in 1998, the Most Outstanding Student on Junior Non Commissioned Officer Cadre in Jamaica in 2000, best at Leadership on the Search Adviser Course in Jamaica in 2007 and the Most Outstanding Student on the Warrant Officer Course in Jamaica in 2015.
