FOLLOWING the announcement in the New Year’s Honours list, Farnham Squadron Leader Paul Davis was invited to Buckingham Palace for his investiture as a MBE.

Paul, who moved to Farnham with his family in 2012, joined the military as a helicopter pilot in 1980 and during his service has served in various parts of the world.

He made his way to the area in 2010 when the military established an air accident investigation branch at Farnborough alongside its civilian counterparts.

Paul received his award from the Princess Royal, who was interested to hear about his work over the past six years. “I was thrilled and humbled to be told of the honour just before Christmas” said Paul.

“To share the couple of days in London with my family who have supported me so fantastically during my career, and more specifically during a very busy period as an accident investigator and a five month tour in Afghanistan in 2014, was a truly amazing experience and a memory that I will cherish forever.”

Paul’s wife, Christine, works locally as the admissions registrar at Edgeborough School.