Major an outstanding leader (From Basingstoke Gazette)
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Major an outstanding leader
12:00am Wednesday 10th October 2012 in Andover
Major an outstanding leader
A GURKHA officer from Middle Wallop has received national recognition for the outstanding leadership of his company in Afghanistan.
Major Spiro Marcandonatos has earned a Mention in Despatches after inspiring his company to continue delivering outstanding results in one of the most perilous parts of Southern Afghanistan.
Operating under Danish command, Spiro’s area of responsibility included a number of dispersed patrol bases which centred on the isolated Forward Operating Base (FOB) Khar Nikah.
Spiro’s Company was in daily contact with a highly aggressive group of insurgents, who contested the battle space.
Through his leadership, despite the casualties the unit suffered, he motivated his Company by personally leading his men on patrols into the extremely high threat area.
Major Marcandonatos said: “I was called into the office of Lieutenant General Jacko Page and I gingerly stepped in not knowing what was happening.
It was a real surprise when he said the Operational Honours and Awards list had been released and I was on it.
“It all now seems such a distant memory and I have to say I’ve been completely caught unawares; I had no idea I’d even been nominated.”
Major Spiro Marcandonatos lives in Middle Wallop with his wife Rebecca and their daughter Isabelle.
