Reserve soldiers awarded 2nd Clasp to VRSM

Three RLC reserve soldiers from 124 Transport Squadron RLC have been awarded their 2nd Clasp to the Volunteer Reserve Service Medal (VRSM).

The soldiers all received their awards in recognition of a further five year’s efficient service following the receipt of their 1st Clasp to the VRSM awards back in 2014.

All were presented with their awards by Dennis Rensch MBE DL and James Bettley JP DL FSA, High Sherriff of Essex, at Warley Army Reserve Centre.

SSgt Martin Southgate

SSgt Martin Southgate originally enlisted into the Territorial Army in July 1998 at Romford with 124 Petroleum Squadron RLC (V) as a Petroleum Operator.

Following trade training courses, he was promoted to Lance Corporal on May 2000 and onwards to Cpl in May 2005. He qualified in his primary trade as a Class 1 Petroleum Operator in Mar 2001.

SSgt Southgate achieved promotion to the rank of Sgt in 2008 and then SSgt in Apr 2017.

During his mobilised service, SSgt Southgate also completed two six-month operational tours including to IRAQ on Operation Telic, which included the initial war fighting part of the campaign.

His second tour was to Afghanistan on Operation Herrick where he was employed as the Petroleum Oil and Lubricants Section Commander in Headquarters ISAF in Kabul.

He is currently employed as SQMS Reserves based at Warley.

SSgt Daniel Simpkins

SSgt Daniel Simpkins enlisted into the Territorial Army in Jun 1998 at Romford with 124 Petroleum Squadron, The Royal Logistic Corps Volunteers.

His chosen trade was a Petroleum Operator. Following trade training he was promoted to Lance Corporal in May 2000 and then to Cpl in May 2005.

Promotion to Sgt came in 2010 and then SSgt in 2017.

During his mobilised military service SSgt Simpkins has completed two operational tours. The first tour was to IRAQ on Operation Telic. His second tour was to Afghanistan on Operation Herrick as a Driver Team Commander.

SSgt Simpkins is currently employed as A troop Second in command with the Warley Salamanca troop.

Maj Paul Herlihy

Maj Paul Herlihy enlisted into the Territorial Army in Dec 1985 at Gillingham with 73 Ordinance Company, The Royal Army Ordnance Corps Volunteers as a Petroleum Operator.

He qualified as a Class 3 Petroleum Operator in Jan 1987. He has been a qualified instructor in many military disciplines such as First aid instructor, Range Management, CBRN Defence Instructor, Unit Expedition Leader, Physical training Instructor and drill Instructor.

Maj Herlihy was mobilised for operational service in Sep 2007 joining the 2nd Battalion the Yorkshire Regiments Operational Monitoring and Liaison Team in Helmand Province on Operation Herrick 7 in Afghanistan.

His primary appointment was as the OMLT Regimental Sergeant Major providing Logistic training and support to the Afghanistan Army.

Maj Herlihy is currently the Officer in Command of 124 Sqn RLC at Warley.