A Royal Marine who helps organise care for recovering injured troops has been awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours.
Warrant Officer Jim Morris said he was proud at being recognised for his work with Hasler Company in HM Naval Base, Plymouth, a tri-service unit co-ordinating the needs of sailors, Royal Marines, soldiers and airmen recovering from combat and non-combat injuries and illnesses.
Jim, of Plympton, Plymouth, said: “It has been a massive surprise being awarded the MBE. But it is really for the team here. The staff here put a lot of time and effort into making things work for the lads.’’
His citation states he ‘demonstrates drive, tenacity and compassion’ and his ‘desire to improve the well-being of injured service personnel has combined with exceptional devotion to deliver first class support to men and women recovering from extremely complex injuries.’
The MBE is awarded for his ‘total commitment to improving welfare and prospects with significant numbers of injured personnel deriving direct and tangible benefits from his efforts while his dedication and initiative have been exemplary. The singular contribution he has made to the moral component of operational capability is exceptional and in the finest tradition of the Corps of Royal Marines.’
Jim began at Hasler Company in 2010 as the company sergeant major. He has helped oversee the expansion of the role and intake of Hasler and the Naval Service Recovery Pathway which the assigned personnel follow.
His work load has also increased – when the company was formed it only had ten clients and most of them had combat injuries from operations in Afghanistan. Now the company has 90 clients, over half of them with long-term non-battlefield related challenges. The quality and range of care on-site has been boosted with the completion of two buildings housing therapeutic services funded by the Help for Heroes charity.
Jim said: “I am very proud to work at Hasler Company and of what we all achieve. The most rewarding is when you see the lads and lasses who come through their horrific injuries, and long-term illnesses. They are an inspiration and motivational to all who see the way they progress physically and mentally. There are many low times, but the highs more than make up for those darker periods and it makes our work all worthwhile to see them coming in here with a huge smile having achieved fantastic things, like paralympic sports and getting employment. It’s really up-lifting to be part of that process.’’
He said the Naval Service had taken on the challenge of looking after its recovering marines and sailors both materially and physically with adaptations and accommodation. But it was the mutual support of colleagues that made the difference: “We are a family within a family – the Royal Marines are renowned for being a close-knit unit. We now have tri-service troops within this environment who are benefitting from the Royal Marines ethos.’’
Jim is married to Debbie and has two sons, one of whom is also a serving Royal Marine in Plymouth and a foster son. Jim is a Royal Marines Mountain Leader specialist and served with 3 Commando Brigade including 40 Commando, 42 Commando, the Brigade patrol Troop he has served in the Falklands, Iraq and Northern Ireland.
