A Royal Navy Officer from Ilkley, recognised for service in Afghanistan, has been presented with his MBE during an investiture at Buckingham Palace.

Lieutenant Commander Jack Rickard was among those recognised in this year’s New Year Honours list.

He served with the Army’s HQ 6th Division between April 2008 and January 2010.

Lt Cdr Rickard was initially responsible for preparing the staff structure of the HQ Regional Command South ahead of the unit’s transition to Afghanistan. In July 2009, he deployed to Afghanistan in advance of the Division. His responsibilities there included planning for the development of the Afghan Army’s Logistic capability and the uplift of US Army forces into the south.

The 42-year-old was presented with his MBE by His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. Lt Cdr Rickard said: “The appointment, from start to finish, was hugely challenging and rewarding. It was a privilege to be central to the planning for what was a particularly demanding 12 months in which the UK led NATO operations across southern Afghanistan.”

Lt Cdr Rickard is based at HMS Raleigh, in Cornwall. He lives in Ben Rhydding, Ilkley, with wife, Claudia. They have five children between them.