Royal Navy reservist's award pride

Able Seaman Edmund Grandison, who works as a cabbie in Sandwell, was rewarded for his efforts over an action packed 11 years serving with the Royal Navy. Ahead of being presented with the award, he was picked up from his hotel in London by racing driver Jenson Button, who had swapped his Formula One car for a black cab in his honour.

He was then driven through the city to Prince Charles' London home, Clarence House, where he was presented with the award and enjoyed a cup of tea with the future king.

He said: "It was amazing, but really strange. What do you say to the future king of England?

"It was just me and him and we chatted for about half-an-hour, talking about the youth of today."

Able Seaman Grandison, a father of two, has served in the Gulf, Somalia, the Falklands and Gibraltar and every time he has been called up he has had to give up his earnings and dish out his work to fellow black cab drivers.

When he finishes his tour of duty he is back in his cab at the rank at Sandwell and Dudley train station in Bromford Lane, Oldbury.

"I give a lot up for it," he said. "I think that's why they've noticed me."

The 42-year-old, from Acocks Green in Birmingham, is one of a Force Protection Team aboard the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Wave Knight that has foiled pirate attacks on two merchant vessels off the coast of Somalia.

During his most recent service at the beginning of the year he was part of a crew that fought off a number of pirate attacks.

And in April RFA Wave Knight helped secure the release of 13 Yemeni fishermen held hostage for a week and thwarted attempts by pirates to take over two tankers in the Gulf.

He has been in the Royal Navy Reserve since 1998 and is based at Birmingham's land-locked but active HMS Forward near Birmingham City football ground.

Mr Grandison said: "It really is an honour. I am accepting it on behalf of all the reservists. They all deserve it."