Dec 22 - Regiment Volunteer Reserves Service Medals And Clasps Presentation
Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ivor Lopez presented two Volunteer Reserves Service Medals (VRSM) and two Clasps during a recent medal presentation at Grand Battery House.
The VRSM is awarded after 10 years’ service in the Reserves in recognition of long and efficient service. A Clasp is awarded for each additional five years of service.
Musician (Musn) Gareth Banda was presented with his VRSM following 10 years’ service. He joined the Band of The Royal Gibraltar Regiment in August 2005 and has performed both locally and abroad playing the clarinet. Throughout his career he has deployed on overseas exercises to the Ascension Islands, Morocco and the UK. In 2012 Musn Banda took part in Public Duties at Buckingham Palace and was awarded the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal. Musn Banda is a very active member of the Gibraltar Scouts Association where he takes the lead in the Troop of the 1st/4th Scout Group and has taken part in a number of charity events. He is also a keen scuba diver and an active member of the 317 Dive Club.
Lance Corporal (LCpl) Ruth Fortuna was also presented with her VRSM, she joined the UK Volunteer Reserves in 2005 as a musician with the Band of The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC). During her time with the HAC LCpl Fortuna was at the forefront of reserve support to state and ceremonial events in the UK. In 2008 she relocated to Gibraltar and transferred to the Band and Corps of Drums of the Royal Gibraltar Regiment where she currently performs as a clarinettist, saxophonist and pianist. LCpl Fortuna lists her current career highlights as performing for Pope Benedict in Rome in 2005, performing for Her Majesty The Queen in 2007 and public duties in Buckingham Palace with the Royal Gibraltar Regiment in 2012. LCpl Fortuna is married to Gerry Fortuna who is a long-serving drummer in the Corps of Drums.
Corporal (Cpl) Derek Barbara was presented with his VRSM 1st Clasp. Cpl Barbara joined the Royal Gibraltar Regiment in May 2000 as an Infantryman. Throughout his career, he has risen through the infantry chain of command. In 2004 he was promoted to LCpl and employed as a Section 2IC within B Company. In 2006 he was promoted to Cpl after successfully completing the demanding Section Commanders Battle Course, he then took on the role of Section Commander in the company. Cpl Barbara remained a Section Commander until 2010 when he moved to the Recruit Training Team where he is currently an instructor. Throughout his career he has deployed on overseas exercises to Cyprus and Morocco as well as countless UK Exercises.
Cpl Etienne Llufrio was presented with his VRSM 1st Clasp, he joined the Royal Gibraltar Regiment in May 2000 as an Infantryman. In 2004 he completed his Junior Non Commissioned Officers Cadre and was promoted to LCpl. He was then employed as a Section 2IC within B Company. In 2013 he was promoted to Cpl and become the Section Commander. Cpl Llufrio is a qualified Team Medic and Military Annual Training Tests (MATT) 3 Instructor. He currently teaches and assesses both the Recruit Training Team and the Company. Throughout his career he has deployed on overseas exercises to Cyprus and numerous UK Exercises.
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