A ROYAL Naval Reserve Officer from Barry has been recognised by Her Majesty the Queen in the 2013 New Year Honours list.

Lieutenant Commander Brian Meadows, a Media Operations Officer at the Royal Naval Reserve Unit HMS Cambria in Sully - who is currently on detachment at the Navy Command Headquarters in Portsmouth - has been appointed as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), in recognition of his outstanding performance throughout his service in both the Royal Navy and Royal Navy Reserve.

Brian, 59, who lives in Barry with wife Vicky and daughter Tamsin, has given almost 45 years of distinguished service in naval uniform which has led to this recognition from the Queen.

On receiving news of his award Brian said: “I was quite overwhelmed when I was informed.

"The Naval Service has been my life, it has made me the person I am today and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to serve for so long.”

Brian joined the Royal Navy in 1968 as a boy signalman and has served in a variety of ships and shore establishments all over the world.

A very keen sportsman, he switched career paths to become a Physical Training Instructor (PTI) and was subsequently selected for a Commission and Officer Training.

This time last year Brian was serving with the United States Second Marine Expeditionary Force in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. He has also completed operational tours in Northern Ireland, Iraq and Bahrain.