LANCE Corporal Carl Blezard went to Buckingham Palace, not on guard duty, but to receive his MBE.
Carl, 28, of Padiham, has served with the Royal Engineers for 11 years and is based at Chatham in Kent. He was awarded the honour in recognition of his work in dealing with a fatal accident in Poland and another medical emergency in Canada.
He has also served in the Gulf.
He attended St Leonard's School in Padiham and St Wilfrid's in Blackburn.
With him in London was his mum, Delma, brother Sean and sister Jayn.
His younger brother Kelvin was unfortunately unable to be with him because only three members of family were allowed to attend.
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