Retired Air Commodore Tim Howson, a dedicated champion for Herefordshire's Armed Forces community, has received top national recognition for his extraordinary voluntary work. He was awarded the coveted Sir James Gildea Global Volunteer Award after stepping down as Chair of the Herefordshire SSAFA branch.
Unique Ceremony with Historic Touch
Adding a unique historic touch to the ceremony, the award was presented directly by descendants of SSAFA’s founder, celebrating Tim’s outstanding contribution to the charity since trading his distinguished 1974 RAF commission for community advocacy.
Tim served at RAF stations as a logistician in the UK and Germany, within the Ministry of Defence, and in the Middle East. On leaving the RAF in 2005 with the rank of air commodore, he and his wife Shelagh moved to Herefordshire.
15 Years of Voluntary Service
He has 15 years’ voluntary service with SSAFA under his belt, and it is no exaggeration to say that he has kept himself busy - and deeply involved with his community - since leaving the RAF. He served as SSAFA Herefordshire Branch Secretary from 2011 and Branch Chair from 2016 to May 2026.
As Vice-Chairman of the Herefordshire Armed Forces Covenant Partnership, he has long supported the local Armed Services community, including work with the NHS to improve veterans’ mental health provision and help establish the Herefordshire Veterans Support Centre.
Additional Honours and Recognition
Appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Herefordshire in 2022, he was made an MBE in this year’s King’s Birthday Honours for services to the community in Herefordshire. His citation begins simply with “Tim is an exemplar,” and goes on to say: “He is polite, compassionate, respectful of others and non-judgemental, and his leadership has inspired, influenced and contributed to very high morale amongst his fellow Herefordshire colleagues to give their best.”
Tim noted: “Working with the wonderful SSAFA volunteers has always been enjoyable, and it was a huge honour to lead our local branch for 10 years. This Sir James Gildea Award is really for them - they are, and continue to be, brilliant.”
Everyone at SSAFA congratulates Tim on receiving the Sir James Gildea Global Volunteer Award.
