Carlisle man awarded for military loyalty on New Year's Honours List

Royal Navy Warrant Officer Class 1 Jason Paul Edgar, from Carlisle originally, is a 50-year-old member of the Royal Navy based in Gibraltar, and was issued a Meritorious Service Medal.

He joined three other servicepeople who were issued with the same award and were also on the list.

His proud father, Gordon Edgar, spoke of his reaction to the award and his son's dedication to the military he has been a part of since the age of 16.

Gordon said: "I was absolutely so proud, it is a big honour for him.

"He got on the list for his loyalty to the Navy and helping others.

"[Jason Paul] said he was delighted to get this award and it is a nice finish to his 33-year career."

Jason Paul Edgar

Gordon explained that, despite himself and his wife not having a military background, his son first became interested in the career at a career's fair at his school in Carlisle, jokingly referring to the Royal Navy advert with the memorable line 'I was born in Carlisle but made in the Royal Navy' as a true reflection on his son's life.

On the reaction to the then young Jason Paul wanting to join the Navy at 16 Gordon said: "I nearly died.

"It was a big thing to go away to the Navy at such a young age."

However, Gordon and his wife Elsie Edgar still made the time to see him develop into a young man.

One such time was during a surprise party for his 21st birthday in Hong Kong.

Gordon said he also was able to visit his son several times in Gibraltar. One visit saw Gordon being allowed to hold the keys to the Southport Gates, part of what was once a series of walls and fortresses that were part of Gibraltar's defences for literally hundreds of years.