Two dedicated members of the armed forces have been recognised in the Queen’s New Year Honours list.
Captain Timothy Smalley, of the Royal Engineers Army Reserve and RAF Senior aircraftsman Shona Brownlee have both been rewarded for their work.
They have both been awarded MBEs in the Military Division of the Honours List.
We told previously how Shona had part of her leg amputated after experiencing six years of excruciating pain and battled back to become a decorated athlete.
She will compete at the Winter Olympics in Beijing next month.
She was cited as an exemplary ambassador for the RAF, demonstrating incredible strength and determination to surmount mental and physical challenges and for her support to wounded, injured and sick personnel.
Shona became involved in the Armed Forces Para Snowsports Team through the Government’s Battle Back programme after suffering a serious injury during a military exercise, resulting in a below-the-knee amputation in 2018.
She has since become the number one ranked female mono-skier in Great Britain and is now ranked 6th in the world.
In 2019 her contribution to the AFPST raised almost £50,000 to support wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans. Proud dad Archie said: “Shona was shocked when she received the news about the award and is incredibly honoured and humbled to have been named.
“It is an amazing way to end 2021 after also having recently been named RAF Sportswoman of the Year 2021.
“In what looks an exciting 2022, Shona is now off to represent GB Snowsports in World Cup competitions in Norway and Sweden. The family are extremely proud of her and Shona has been overwhelmed by the large number of congratulatory messages received.”
Captain Smalley, meanwhile, joined the army as an apprentice in 1975 and has completed 45 years of continuous service as a regular and full-time reserve service soldier.
He has been deployed on numerous operations including the Gulf War, Kosovo, Former Yugoslavia, Iraq and Northern Ireland. His honours citation praised him for “performing in his core role as regimental operations support officer and his commitment to forces charities, veterans, cadets and the local community have been exceptional, all while providing much comfort to families of the regiment and of bereaved soldiers, says Capt Smalley’s citation.”
West Lothian Provost Tom Kerr congratulated the pair – both from Livingston– on their achievements.
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