The Rev Alan Jesson received the Lord Lieutenant’s commendation in an informal presentation by Lt Col Stephen Martin, commandant of the Cambridgeshire Army Cadet Force.

The award was made in recognition of Rev Jesson’s recent retirement after 22 years of service as a chaplain with the force, 18 of them as senior chaplain.

Prior to ordination Rev Jesson, of Sutton, served in the Territorial Army as an officer in the Royal Corps of Transport (Volunteers) and gained the territorial decoration.

He was ordained priest in 1992 and served as a non-stipendiary priest until 2000 when he moved to Upwell St Peter and Outwell as rector until his retirement in 2012. He has recently been appointed Cambridgeshire county chaplain to the Royal British Legion.