The long service of warrant officer 'Zippy' Thompson has been recognised at RNAS Culdrose.

Warrant Officer First Class Ian Thompson was awarded the clasp to the long service good conduct medal.

The latter is presented after 15 years of exemplary service and the clasp is given in recognition of a further 15 years’ outstanding service. WO Thompson, whose nickname is Zippy like the character with the big smile from children’s TV programme Rainbow, was honoured at the headquarters of 824 squadron, where he is squadron warrant officer, at a presentation by the Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Charles Montgomery.

WO Thompson lives in Helston with his wife of over 25 years, Jill, and their two children Charlotte and William.

He joined the Royal Navy in January 1979, passing out of HMS Raleigh as a junior seaman operator and trained as an electronic warfare operator before transferring to the Fleet Air Arm as an anti-submarine air-crewman. Since then he has served with seven different squadrons, including air operations over Iraq in 2003, and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in 2007. A keen sportsman, he has represented RNAS Culdrose at all levels of football, and ran a very successful Culdrose Sunday football team for many years – although nowadays he concentrates on golf.

As an enthusiastic supporter of local activities he has been a member of Helston Round Table for many years and was chairman during 2000/2001.