A JERSEY TA officer has been commended in the latest honours list for the armed forces

2nd Lieutenant Nick Spratley has received a joint commander’s commendation for outstanding service in Iraq last year.

The Jersey Field Squadron troop commander led a team charged with getting the country’s delapidated sewerage and water system up and running after the war.

Mr Spratley (36) is one of 13 members of the squadron to have served in Iraq.

During his six-month tour he played a key role in coalition efforts to improve the lives of ordinary Iraqis.

His team completed $500,000 worth of infrastructure projects and set in motion a further $8m worth of work to improve the sewerage and water system in the British-controlled south of the country.

‘When I was given my brief I thought “”where do I start?”",’ said Mr Spratley, an IT professional who, prior to his deployment, had little experience of plumbing or sewerage systems.

‘I faced a neglected system that was heavily silted, canals that hadn’t been dredged for years, unreliable pumping stations and unscrupulous companies that simply poured waste into the waterways.’ Mr Spratley set out prioritising projects, encouraging the local population to help in the clean-up effort and co-ordinating the activities of various charities and non-government organisations, who were pulling in different directions before his arrival.