A part-time soldier from Altrincham has been honoured by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant at the annual Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards for Merseyside.
Captain Mike Hanna, 40, was awarded Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit, recognised as a laudatory honour throughout the Armed Services, in recognition of his exceptional service with the Army Reserve. The presentation was made by Dame Lorna Muirhead, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Merseyside, during a ceremony held at St George’s Hall.
Now serving with Merseyside-based Army Reserve unit 33 Signal Squadron, Captain Hanna joined the Territorial Army, now known as the Army Reserve, in 1994. In 2005 he deployed to Iraq, and in 2010 he was appointed Squadron Sergeant Major and later Squadron Second in Command of 33rd Signal Squadron based in Huyton, Merseyside.
Commended as a caring and compassionate officer, he was awarded the Lord-Lieutenant’s Certificate of Merit for his Reserve service. Aged 40, Mike is married with two children and lives in Altrincham. In his civilian job he is a Programme Manager with Telent Technology Services.
Mike said: “The Army Reserve has always been part of my life. I met my wife in the Army Reserve. I’m honoured to receive this award. Across the county there are thousands of Navy, Army and Air Force Reservists who work hard to balance their time between their families, their careers and their Reserve duties. My time with the Army Reserve had given me opportunities and experiences most people don’t get, and this award on top of all of that has left me humbled.”
Colonel Mark Underhill, chief executive of the North West Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association which runs the awards, said: “The Lord-Lieutenant’s Awards give us an opportunity to recognise the selfless commitment and dedication of the men and women who serve in our nation’s Reserve Forces.
“An unblemished service record, passion, energy and loyalty make Captain Hanna an exemplary Reservist, and a worthy recipient of this award.”
