Sunny Govan Radio presenter, John Macdonald, (52), was awarded the Veterans Badge live, on-air during his morning programme, by Group Captain David Ogg of the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA).

John, who is a volunteer at the station, served in the RAF with ground communications from 1972 to 78. When he signed up at 18, he did 12 weeks of training to graduate as a Leading Air Craftsmen (LAC). A year later, after further training, he graduated as a Senior Air Craftsman (SAC). Then he was posted to various RAF stations in England and served 9 months in the Maldive Islands in the Indian Ocean and a further 3 months in Hong Kong.

John left the Air Force because of military cutbacks when funding appeared to favour the army. Fortunately for him, he did not need to do any fighting because it was a relatively quiet time in the world when he was in the RAF.

In civilian life, John was an assistant manager for NAAFI, the army social club in Germany and worked as a radio presenter on an Israeli radio station. He was a volunteer for five years with the Southern General Hospital Radio and was the first presenter to broadcast on Sunny Govan when they transferred from net broadcasting to their 24 hour service on 103.5FM.

John said, ‘I am really happy to have been given this Veterans’ badge. It finally means that my time in the RAF has been recognised, which is really great.’

Group Captain David Ogg said, ‘It’s a great honour to be able to present this badge. This will show our appreciation and pride in Mr Macdonald’s commitment to his job with the Royal Air Force, which has not gone unrecognised.’

The SPVA was set up three years ago by the Ministry of Defence to provide information and advice to all former UK military personnel. It covers  pensions, financial information and benefits advice. The Agency is also responsible for awarding the Veterans’ Badges.
In the past three years they have awarded 460,000 badges to veterans who served before 1984.

If you would like more information about the badges or wish any other information, call the Service Personnel and Veterans Agency (SPVA) on 0800 169 2277.