Lieutenant Colonel Mark Norbury, formerly of 143 (West Midlands) Brigade in Shrewsbury, and Captain Simon Smith of 37 Signal Regiment (Volunteers), based in Redditch, played a crucial role in the rescue operation when the River Severn burst its banks in July 2007.

Both officers attended a reception in London with the Prime Minister last night, Monday 3 December 2007, organised by the Department for Communities and Local Government, to honour the contribution of people to the flood relief effort.

The summer of 2007 saw some of the heaviest rainfall on record across the West Midlands. Worcester and many of the surrounding areas were left cut off when the Severn burst its banks. Parts of the county were submerged by six feet of water.

The torrential rain washed away roads, closed public transport and isolated people in their homes. The emergency services received hundreds of calls from people asking for help and, during the night of 20 July, West Mercia police contacted Lieutenant Colonel Mark Norbury to ask for military support.

Lt Col Norbury quickly identified what was required and throughout the operation acted as the principal military advisor, co-ordinating the military response across Worcestershire:

"I am pleased and honoured to have been invited to this reception," Lt Col Norbury said. "It is always nice to be recognised for the work that you do. However, I was simply doing my job and was glad to have been able to help during what was clearly a very difficult time for people living in the areas most badly affected by the floodwater."

On the morning of 21 July 2007 Captain Simon Smith, Adjutant of 37 Signal Regiment (Volunteers), was asked to assemble, at very short notice, a force of Territorial Army volunteers to help the police with the rescue effort. Using his initiative, he quickly gathered a disparate force, briefed it, deployed it, and led it for the next three days.

Captain Smith's small force provided four-wheel drive transport to the emergency services allowing them to cross often treacherous flood waters and ferrying people to safety, particularly in the town of Upton Upon Severn, which was almost entirely cut off by the flood waters. His fleet also helped the police to search a number of caravan sites that had been completely submerged by the flood waters:

"It's great to be recognised in this way," Capt Simon Smith said. "The team worked really hard during the flood period and they did a fantastic job. We received a very warm reception from all of the members of the public that we encountered during that time. I'm just pleased that we were able to help and support the emergency services in the way that we did."

Brigadier Jonathan Bourne-May, Commander 143 (West Midlands) Brigade, said of the awards:

"Lieutenant Colonel Norbury and Captain Smith both played key roles in organising the military response to the Worcestershire flooding. Their contribution at a critical time significantly helped to achieve a rapid response in support of the police and other emergency services. I am delighted they have received appropriate recognition for their hard work."