A FORMER Radcliffe man has been awarded one of the Ministry of Defence’s highest accolades.

Dr Peter Isherwood, corporate communications officer for 2168 (Yeadon) Squadron, West Yorkshire, has received the Defence Council letter of appreciation from the Air Force Board.

Now a resident in West Yorkshire, Dr Isherwood lived in Bury Road in Radcliffe for many years and was a pupil at Whitefield County Secondary School.

His mother, Alice, continued to live in Radcliffe until just before her death at the age of 84.

During his time in the town, he was a youth leader at Radcliffe Parish Church and member of the Parochial Church Council.

Dr Isherwood originally taught meteorology and until recently had responsibility for guiding air cadets through all levels of their Duke of Edinburgh Awards.

He has responsibility for the squadron’s media communications and introduced BTEC awards to the unit.

Dr Isherwood also organises trips for the cadets to visit the House of Lords and Ministry of Defence.

After receiving the award, he said: “The letter of appreciation came as a great surprise to me.

“Over the 20 or so years I have been involved with the corps, I have worked with many exceptional young and, sometimes, not so young people.

“Working with the cadets and staff at Yeadon has been a privilege — a great pleasure and really enjoyable.”

A Defence Council letter of appreciation is the highest honour the Air Force Board can bestow on an individual within the corps without nominating them for an award from the British Empire.