Prime Minister David Cameron presented two Guildford police officers with their HM Armed Forces Veteran Badges on National Armed Forces Day in Guildford.
Guildford had the honour of leading the national celebration of Armed Forces on Saturday June 27 and PM Cameron attended the event to show his support for our armed forces.
During the celebrations in Guildford, the PM also took the time to award two officers with their HM Armed Forces Veteran Badges awards.
PCSO Chris Moyes and Youth Affairs Officer PC Claire Jones were presented with their award after being nominated by Guildford Neighbourhood Inspector, Graham Barnett, in recognition of their former army careers.
PCSO Moyes spent seven years in the Queen Alexandra Royal Army Nursing Corps, while Youth Affairs Officer PC Jones served with the Royal Military Police.
Speaking on behalf of both of them Chris Moyes said: “It was an honour to represent Surrey Police and a real privilege. We didn’t have a clue that David Cameron was going to present the badges, it really was a genuine surprise and we were both impressed that he had specifically asked to do it given the demands on his time that day.
“We had a really good chat over a cup of tea about neighbourhood policing and I explained how PCSOs have such a big part to play in the community. I also told him I love my job and that I was proud to be one of the first ever PCSOs in Surrey when they were introduced in 2003.”
The national celebrations on June 27 started with a service at Guildford Cathedral and nearly 30,000 people joined in the events at Stoke Park, following an armed forces parade.
Leader of the Council, Councilllor Stephen Mansbridge, said: “Along with the many visitors and local people, we were honoured to welcome Prime Minister David Cameron and the Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon to join us in thanking Britain’s Armed Forces.
“Servicemen and women received a fantastic welcome to Guildford and so many people from the Council and our partners worked hard behind the scenes to ensure the day ran smoothly. This event will be remembered as one of the borough’s historic milestones and is a wonderful legacy for Guildford.”