The official looking letter on the mat is the first step. You have been awarded a medal in the annual New Year or Birthday Honours List. But for those who do not receive that hallowed letter, have you ever wondered what happens next? One of our very own at RAF High Wycombe did get the notification and we can lift the lid to reveal all!
The OBE may stand for Order of the British Empire, but in the case of recent recipient Wing Commander Manjeet Ghataora, it could easily mean Others Before Everything. Over fifteen years the selfless Wing Commander has devoted his working and private life to helping others, from his engagement efforts to bring communities together, to being Chair of the Defence Sikh Network and helping young engineers with STEM to name but a few. He has tirelessly worked to improve the lives of those around him.
“I was always taught to be humble. If doing something, don’t do it for a reason, do it because it is the right thing to do. I just get on and do my job,” said the Wing Commander.
From his first tour after joining up at RAF Boulmer in 1999 to today, it has been a long and thrilling road for the adventure seeking Officer.
Whereas with military honours a superior officer is tasked with informing the recipient of an award, it is still a momentous surprise for many. On hearing the news, a tearful Manjeet was overcome with emotion and “genuinely gobsmacked.” However, the emotion was not for himself, but for his father, a former RAF Flight Sergeant, who had died three years earlier. “My dad knew how much a state award means,” said the clearly moved Wing Commander.
After formal acceptance of the award there is no correspondence for many months. An elaborate embossed scroll detailing the award is then received and for the Manjeet, it suddenly became real. It was also hand signed by the late monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. This was a poignant moment for the Officer, who treasures the citation.
A month before the event itself forms are received detailing requests for whom you wish to accompany you. During this time Manjeet was showered with many congratulatory messages from officer’s past and present. “It was mind blowing and extremely humbling,” cried the Wing Commander who had over 700 ‘likes’ on his Twitter post and 46,000 views after the ceremony! It was also a real family occasion with three generations in attendance - his mother, sister and niece.
In a mark of remembrance for his father, the likeable Officer carried a picture of him in the jacket pocket of his No 1s. His sister also drove them to Windsor Castle in their father’s car. “I wanted Dad to be a part of the celebration,” said a clearly proud Manjeet.
On a misty February afternoon, the Ghataora family drove through the gates of Windsor Castle and on entering the building all the honours recipients are split into groups of about twenty and directed to a waiting room where you reside for about an hour.
Soon after recipients are ushered into another room, where family are also present. Just prior to this you are informed who will be presenting the award. Yes, you are kept guessing until the very last moment! For Manjeet, it was none other than his Commander-in-Chief, HRH King Charles III, whom he had never met before. In his career he had the opportunity to meet both the late Queen and once sat next to the late Prince Philip at a Golden Jubilee celebration event in 2002. Your name is called, and you move up to face the presenter.
After bowing, nodding and moving forward, Manjeet, who exuded pride with a tinge of nerves, enjoyed a brief conversation;
“The King has always been supportive of military Sikhs…and was genuinely interested in recruitment to the Service.”
You know when it is time to leave when, after the conversation, the presenter shakes your hand. Further conversation may follow. As soon as hands are released, the recipient then knows it is your time to leave. You then move back, nod, walk away. “I had forgotten the basics of life….forgetting to move my arms and I looked like a robot!” joked the smiling Officer.
The 1990s British rock band founder, Skin from Skunk Anansie was also receiving an honour on the same day, along with fashion designer Stella McCartney.
After taking selfies with his family outside the Castle, the likeable Wing Commander, who considered the event “a once in a lifetime experience….humbling and surreal” is now back at work continuing to do what he does best, helping others to reach their full potential. “Just to be recognised is amazing. I hope it has made a difference, and I am pleased to be a role model for Sikhs in the RAF.”
