A musically gifted Westcountry Marine has conducted his way to a prestigious military award.
Band Colour Sergeant Tom Crane received the Long Service and Good Conduct medal after 15 years in the "senior service", including stints in Plymouth, Lympstone and Yeovilton.
The 36-year-old father of two was presented with the award by Jock Alexander, commanding officer of Royal Naval Air Station (RNAS) Yeovilton, at the annual Christmas carol concert held beneath the wing of Concorde, in the Fleet Air Arm Museum.
Colour Sergeant Crane, who began playing the cello at the age of eight but moved on to the trombone when he joined the Royal Marine Band Service, said his time so far had been "exciting and rewarding".
"A career in military music has offered me opportunities I would not get anywhere else," he added. He has toured the world and was selected to join the NATO band in 2001.
Following promotion he was drafted to the Royal Marine Band Plymouth at HMS Raleigh and the Commando Training Centre, Lympstone.
Next year he will be drafted back to Plymouth where he is looking forward to spending more time with his wife Emma and their two young daughters, aged four and three.
