SQUADRON Leader Andy Sollitt from Crambeck Village, Welburn, is pictured receiving his MBE at Buckingham Palace.

His MBE citation is classified, but includes reference to management of air missions in Kosovo, particularly with respect to humanitarian flights for Kosovars who were dangerously ill.

Sqdn Ldr Sollitt was born in Westow and from 1946 to 1955 lived in St Peter's Street, Norton, and attended Norton Primary School. He later lived in York.

From 1964 to 1999, he served in the Royal Air Force all over the world. Since 1999, he has been on full-time reserve service with an army armoured division in Germany.

Sqdn Ldr Sollitt is married, with two grown-up children, and has lived in Crambeck Village since 1991.

Updated: 11:26 Thursday, December 20, 2001