Lance Corporal Connie Barr an Army Reservist serving with 591 Field Squadron Royal Engineers in Bangor has been honoured at a formal ceremony at Hillsborough Castle.

Lance Corporal Connie Barr had been scheduled to receive her award exactly a year ago, but on the day of the planned celebrations, found herself instead giving birth to her baby son!  This year his first birthday was made especially memorable as his mum was honoured at Hillsborough.

Having enlisted as a Combat Medical Technician in 2009 Lance Corporal Barr has enjoyed an active and successful Army Reserve career, with notable highlights including a UN Operational Tour of Cyprus and Op Olympics in London.  

The Citation which accompanies her Award describes her attendance record as ‘exemplary’, even while she was completing her BSc Hons in Criminology and Social Policy at Queens University.

Her passion for the Reserve is well reflected in the additional duties she takes on to support her unit’s recruitment and Lance Corporal Barr’s award Citation pays tribute to her energy and commitment in this field of endeavour, saying, ‘her daily management of those waiting to join is impressive (and) her care for the recruit and her enthusiasm to help is always on show.’

Popular and sociable, Lance Corporal Barr runs the 591 Squadron Junior Ranks Club and shows commendable attention to detail, not only in the functions she organises, but also in the management of finances and stock control.  She also oversees the maintenance of the club and recently ‘led from the front’ when refurbishment was required, turning her hand to all things including painting, sanding and drilling!  

The Citation emphasises that her continued involvement in running the Junior Ranks Club has enhanced the morale of Squadron, as has Lance Corporal Barr’s commitment to the wider Army Reserve ‘family’.  The Citation concludes, “In the middle of her duties and home life she has organized and run small events for family and friends of the Unit to try encourage the family feeling of the Reserves.  She has been diligent in collecting for the Army Benevolent Fund on every occasion possible … with dedication and willingness to care for all.” 

The smile of success: Lance Corporal Connie Barr collects her award and receives congratulations from Colonel David Lindsay, Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for the County of Down.