Reverend Mark Perry, an Ambassador for ALABARÉ and a serving Royal Air Force Chaplain, has been awarded the prestigious Bronze Polish Army Medal in recognition of his exceptional contributions to promoting the history and traditions of the Polish Armed Forces on the international stage.
The Polish Army Medal was established by Poland on 3 September 1999 to honour service to the Polish Armed Forces by foreign civilians and military personnel.
The medal is awarded in three grades: Gold, Silver and Bronze, and is handed to members of allied armed forces by Poland’s Minister of National Defence.
Reverend Perry, an ALABARÉ Lead Ambassador since January 2025, has been a dedicated supporter of the charity since his time as a curate in the Iwerne Valley Benefice within the Diocese of Salisbury.
Now based in London, he joins a distinguished group of recipients recognised for strengthening Poland’s defence partnerships and promoting its military heritage globally.
He has been presented with the medal during a ceremony held at the Polish Embassy in London by the Deputy Prime Minister of Poland, Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz.
Andrew Lord MBE, Chief Executive of ALABARÉ, congratulated Reverend Perry on behalf of the charity, saying:
“Mark’s recognition is richly deserved. His deep commitment to service, both in the Armed Forces and through his tireless support of our veterans, perfectly reflects the values we hold dear at ALABARÉ. We are immensely proud of his achievement.”
Reverend Mark Perry has responded to the award:
“As chaplains, we serve quietly and without expectation of recognition, so to receive this award is deeply humbling. This is not mine alone; it reflects the quiet dedication of all who serve in military chaplaincy across nations and cultures, united in the calling to uphold the dignity of humanity.”
“Recognition like this is a reminder that acts of service, often small and unseen, contribute to the pursuit of lasting peace. As Desmond Tutu said, ‘Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world’. A timely reminder that service to others can have a profound impact.”
