Awarded the Meritorious Service Medal

The following is the text accompanying the presentation of the Meritorious Service Medal to Edward Roy Kissack. It provides us with details of his travels and service whilst with the Royal Air Force between 1956 and 1983.

Award of the Meritorious Service Medal - Warrant Officer E.R. Kissack, RAF

Warrant Officer Kissack joined the Royal Air Force in January 1956 and served at various training camps until April 1957 when he was posted as a Senior Aircraftsman to 367 Signals Unit, Hong Kong. Whilst serving there he was awarded the Air Officer Commanding Far East Commendation for meritorious service.

Returning from the Far East in October 1959, Warrant Officer Kissack was posted to 399 Signals Unit, Royal Air Force Digby, UK where he was promoted to Corporal before being posted in June 1962 to the Defence Signals Division in Melbourne where he served until November 1964 before returning to 399 Signals Unit, Royal Air Force Digby and in November 1965 was promoted to Sergeant.

Remaining at Digby until June 1967 he was then posted to 123 Signals Unit, Royal Air Force Steamer Point, Aden and was awarded the General Service Medal (South Arabia) in July 1967, and shortly afterwards was posted to 123 Signals Unit, HMS Jufair (Bahrain Naval Shore Base) returning to Digby once again in July 1968.

Whilst at Digby between August 1968 and April 1974 he was promoted to Chief Technician and awarded the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal for 18 years service.

In May 1974 he was posted to 26 Signals Unit, Royal Air Force Gatow, Berlin where he was promoted to Flight Sergeant and returned once again to Digby in April 1976.

In August 1979 whilst still serving at Digby he was awarded the Air Officer Commanding Signals Command Commendation for services to the Royal Air Force, and was promoted to Warrant Officer in February 1981 before posting to 9 Signals Regiment, Cyprus in February 1983.

Warrant Officer Kissack is married with 3 children one of whom is a corporal in the Royal Air Force serving at Royal Air Force Wildenrath (West Germany). Serving a two year unaccompanied tour in Cyprus, Warrant Officer Kissack, who is a Grade One International Athletics Judge, spends all year officiating at Athletic and Cross Country events throughout the Sovereign Base areas. Also serving at 9 Signals Regiment is Warrant Officer Kissack's brother Allan who is a civilian radio Officer and it is the first time that both brothers have served together since 1960.

For his 28 years service to the Royal Air Force he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal in December 1982.