TAVISTOCK resident Lieutenant Colonel Richard Watts was honoured with an OBE in the Queen?s Birthday Honours.
Lt Col Watts is currently the commanding officer of 40 Commando Royal Marines, based at Norton Manor. He received his award in recognition of ?exceptional service as the Chief of Staff at 3 Commando Brigade, Stonehouse?.
A Royal Naval spokesman said Lt Col Watts had been responsible for the planning of operations against Afghanistan and Iraq as well as taking part in the deployments and the training of personnel.
Lt Col Watts said he was ?absolutely delighted? with the award. ?I view it not only for myself, but in recognition of the efforts of the whole brigade staff,? he said.
Former Tavistock Comprehensive School pupil Andrew Hooper was also awarded the OBE in the honours list. Andrew went straight into the Prison Service after leaving the school and worked at Dartmoor Prison for a while. He now lives in Oxfordshire and works for the civil service.
Another OBE winner was former Grenofen resident Angela Rippon ? who was the first female newsreader on national television. Angela still visits the area regularly and attends Tavistock Stannary Band?s concerts when she can, as she is its patron ? having taken over when Edward Woodward left. She came to their last summer concert and compered the Christmas concert.
The band?s musical director, Peter Jones, said the band was ?chuffed to bits? at her award. ?It is well deserved. She doesn?t have to give her time for us and for her to compere and be there adds kudos to the band,? he said.