A FORMER flight engineer has been presented with an award for his dedication to the Royal Air Forces Association in Trowbridge and West Wiltshire.

Air Vice Marshal Martin Clark, the RAFA area president for Wales, the Midlands and the South West, and also for Trowbridge & West Wiltshire, presented Henry Morris with a presidential certificate.

Mr Morris, 89, has been a member of RAFA for the past 14 years and has been given the award for his meritorious service.

Covid-19 pandemic social distancing restrictions meant the award presentation took place in the garden of Mr Morris' home in Farleigh Avenue, Trowbridge.

Air Vice Marshal Clark said: "We all love Henry. He's a stalwart of the branch and we all think he's a good egg."

"I was quite surprised as I did not expect anything like this, " said Mr Morris, who originally hails from Gloucestershire.

He joined the Royal Air Force in 1947 as a 16-year-old apprentice aircraft fitter at Halton, near Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire.

Mr Morris also served at RAF Little Rissington in Gloucestershire, once the home of the Central Flying School, and in Malta after marrying his wife Joy, 88, in 1953, and at RAF Lyneham near Royal Wootton Bassett.

He did a five-year tour as a flight engineer before finishing his career with the RAF and joining the Civil Service.

"I have enjoyed my time in the RAF and my 14 years in RAFA for the fellowship and the company.

"I decided that when I reach 90 on January 27 that I would give up the jobs that I have been doing for the branch. There are three people doing them now."

Wing Commander Mike Sale, chairman of RAFA's Trowbridge & West Wiltshire Branch, also attended the presentation.

Mr Sale said: "Through his unstinting work, Henry has brought great credit to himself, the branch and the Royal Air Forces Association, and is very well deserving of this award."

Mr Morris became a member of RAFA's Trowbridge & West Wiltshire Branch in 2006. He has actively supported the branch, assisting with its stall at the Wiltshire Armed Forces & Veterans Celebrations weekend over many years and being a regular member of the RAFA Wings Appeal team.

He has been a branch stalwart at Battle of Britain and Remembrance Day services and parades, including being a regular member of the marching contingent through Trowbridge.

He also worked on the branch social team organising lunches and coffee mornings.