TWO senior Army officers have received recognition for their leadership in the response to the nerve agent attack in Salisbury.

Colonel Andrew Dawes CBE, Commander South West and Colonel Mike Duff OBE TD VR, Assistant Commander South West will both be presented with their awards following the challenging times in Salisbury last year.

Colonel Dawes has been recognised for his exceptional leadership as Military Commander during a period of high tempo in the region and Colonel Duff has received the award in recognition for his contribution to the decontamination of Salisbury and Amesbury.

Colonel Dawes, who has served all over the world including in the Balkans, Afghanistan, Australia and Egypt, said: "I am enormously humbled to be recognised in this way. It has been a privilege to command the South West region for the Army and I’ve been brilliantly supported by my team. It has certainly had its challenges, not least in Salisbury, but I’ve enjoyed every minute, from leading the military response for a year in the city, to helping everyone move on and enjoy a spectacular Armed Forces Day this Summer."

Colonel Duff, has been in the Reserves for 30 years and has served in Bosnia and Iraq, lives on Salisbury Plain and works in his civilian capacity for the MoD.

He said: “I am delighted to be recognised for my role in what was, undoubtedly, an absolute team effort. The decontamination of Salisbury and Amesbury was a complex and demanding task during which it was my pleasure to work with some outstanding military personnel and our multi-agency partners. The 12 month operation brought out the best in all those involved and it was truly fulfilling to play a part in returning Salisbury to normality after the unprecedented events of March 2018."