A soldier who served in Afghanistan as part of the Army Reserve based at Hitchin Territorial Army Centre has been awarded a prestigious long service medal.

Corporal Darren Tearle was given the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal for ten years ‘continuous and loyal’ service to the Army Reserve.

Medical Regiment driver Cpl Tearle said: “My grandfather and dad served in the Royal Signals Corp – I’m proud to maintain the family tradition of serving.

“I’d like to thank my very supportive wife Lorna. She’s been through a lot since I was posted to Afghanistan for seven months in 2012. I came back for two weeks ‘R&R’ and it was hard to leave my three-month-old son Callum but you have to get on with it.”