Corporal given special award for ‘transforming’ camp

A SOLDIER serving in Afghanistan has been handed an award that recognises the extra effort he has put in throughout his tour.

Corporal John Clamp, 51, from the Royal Scots Borderers, 1st Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland (1 Scots), said he was “honoured” to receive the Commander’s Coin for outstanding achievement.

As well as working in the Quartermaster’s department, which provides logistical support to troops, Cpl Clamp is also a qualified carpenter and is said to have helped “transform” the working environments for both 1 Scots and the Afghan National Army (ANA).

He has built shelters for the guard force, facilities for interpreters and made a fully functioning briefing room for British and Afghan forces, from what was described as an “empty shell”, in just a few days.

The work, at camps Tombstone and Shorobak, which is the Afghan base attached to Camp Bastion where 1 Scots are helping to train soldiers from the ANA, was carried out in Cpl Clamp’s spare time, using recycled materials.

The 51-year-old, from Hawick, in the Borders, has been in Helmand since September.

He was awarded the coin by Brigadier Bob Bruce, the Commander of Task Force Helmand and a former 1 Scots commanding officer.

Cpl Clamp said: “I’m extremely honoured to receive the award. It’s nice to be recognised but I just enjoy adding value to the job.”