Pride of Coventry Awards – By LCpl Steven Hoskins RLC (243 (Coventry) Headquarters Squadron

Yesterday, LCpl Steven Hoskins, aged 23 from Coventry, attended the 2013 Pride of Coventry Awards’ Ceremony hosted by Free Radio's breakfast show presenters JD and Roisen.  LCpl Hoskins has been a Reservist and valued member of 243 Squadron based in Canley for the past four years.  He was attending the awards’ ceremony as he was nominated in the ‘Armed Forces Hero’ category, which recognises the efforts of Armed Forces personnel who work and live in the Coventry area.

In addition to his full time job, LCpl Hoskins is a dedicated Reservist soldier; fully trade qualified as a Logistic Supply Specialist and as a Physical Training Instructor.  In his trade role he deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 and as an instructor he leads on all physical training undertaken by his Squadron, a vital role in the development and transformation of the Territorial Army into the Army Reserve.  In the short periods in between these two commitments he also finds time to volunteer for the West Midlands Ambulance Service as a Community First Responder.  In this latter role he works a weekly shift pattern, on call, to quickly deploy to local incidents to provide initial and sometime life-saving treatment to casualties until a qualified Paramedic arrives.

The awards’ ceremony, at the Hilton in Coventry, was well attended, with notable guests such as the Lord Mayors of Coventry and Warwick, plus of course nominees from across the community and their supporting friends and families.  To support LCpl Hoskins were his Commanding Officer, Lt Col C J Francis MBE RLC; Welfare Officer, Capt M Singh MBE RL; Troop Commander, Lt J Kinahan RLC; and his grandfather, Mr Herbert Hoskins.  Herbert especially enjoyed the ceremony and opportunity to relish in the plaudits and gratitude expressed by the local community in thanks and praise of his grandson’s efforts. 

That LCpl Hoskins was the actual winner of the award, was simply the icing on the cake.  In accepting the award LCpl Hoskins said:

"I would Firstly like to thank all those who nominated me, it came as a huge shock when I was asked to stand in front of my Officer Commanding (Maj G Bilsbarrow RLC) where he then explained that I had been put forward for a nomination, but I'd also like to thank all of those other well deserving people who were also nominated. They have all done something that warrants a nomination and they were all winners today.  To be able to attend the event with the Commanding Officer, the Regimental Welfare Officer, my Troop Commander and my Grandfather was a huge privilege that I will remember for a long time to come""

The entire Regiment congratulates LCpl Hoskins on his nomination and success in claiming the award.  His dedication and selfless character epitomise all that is good about society at large and tenets held in even higher regard in the military community.