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06 Sept 2025
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06 Sept 2025
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Captain Darren Johnson Royal Dragoon Guards received his MBE award from Princess Anne at Buckingham Palace on October 27, 2023.
Capt Johnson is pictured with his mother, Sara McKeon, formerly of Cloonaugh, Drumlish, Co Longford.
Captain Darren Johnson, The Royal Dragoon Guards, was awarded the MBE for his outstanding leadership during the early days of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, while deployed to Poland as Officer Commanding the National Support Element (NSE).
He became the key ‘fixer’ in Poland before a more permanent infrastructure through which to channel support to Ukraine could be established.
On learning of the honour, Capt Johnson said: “I was shocked when the CO called to tell me and realised that I had never really reflected on the time I spent as NSE Commander.
“I am so proud to have been in the right place at the right time to have been able to support colleagues across Defence. I’m humbled by this award and all it stands for, and I’m honoured to receive it, remembering the many who did the right thing on a difficult day.”
His citation states: “His relentless efforts helped maintain the critical flow to Ukraine in those crucial early stages. He achieved this without compromising support to either the ‘enhanced Forward Presence’ squadron in northern Poland or the Royal Engineers deployed at short notice on the border to help with the migrant crisis.
“The workload on his team was punishing but made bearable by his outstanding leadership. His contribution in Poland has enabled Defence to make a long-lasting contribution to European security and has been nothing short of remarkable.”
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