MINISTRY of defence police superintendent Joseph Elder proudly displays his OBE after being formally presented with the medal by the queen at an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace on February 9.

Supt Elder (45) was awarded the medal in December for special services in Iraq, where he spent six months in Basra as director of law and order, with the task of rebuilding the city's police academy.

He worked against the clock and often in dangerous conditions but managed to achieve the objective.

Supt Elder lives at Winterslow with his wife, Karen, and they have five children.

Right: Joseph Elder

displays his OBE.