‘Not bad for a lad from Madeley’ – Queen’s award for RAF Cosford warrant officer
A member of the RAF has been recognised by the Queen for more than 30 years of service.
Warrant Officer Mike Stokes, 47, RAF Cosford’s Station Warrant Officer, has been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal (MSM) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
WO Stokes, originally from Madeley, has served in the RAF for a little over 30 years as a logistics expert.
His career has taken him all over the UK and around the world, including tours of Bosnia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
After leaving Blessed Robert Johnson College in Wellington and joining the RAF in 1986 Mike’s service has come full circle back to his place of birth in Shifnal.
The MSM is awarded to only a small number of RAF personnel each year.
To be awarded the medal, an individual must have 'good, faithful, valuable and meritorious service, with conduct judged to be irreproachable throughout'.
Recipients must also already hold the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.
WO Stokes said he felt honoured to have received the medal.
He said: “It came as a huge surprise to find out that I was to be awarded the MSM. Very few people receive it and to be counted amongst them is a great honour. I’ve always just tried to get on with the job and give my best at everything I do. I’ve had a great time in the RAF; I’ve jumped out of planes, been a part of the Mountain Rescue Team and worked and played representative sport all over the world. Not bad for a lad from Madeley.”
A ceremony will be held later in the year at RAF Cosford where WO Stokes will receive his medal.
For now he is managing the discipline of more than 2000 personnel and is busy planning ceremonial activities across the region for Armed Forces Day.
