A former conscripted private soldier was appointed yesterday as second-in-command of the Royal Bermuda Regiment.

John Rankin, the Governor and Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Bermuda Regiment, said Major Larenzo Ratteray was “a highly able and well-qualified officer”.

He added: “His particular experience in training will be of particular value to the regiment as it continues to develop its role in serving the defence and security of Bermuda. I wish Major Ratteray well as he takes up his new position.”

Lieutenant-Colonel Ben Beasley, the RBR Commanding Officer, said: “Throughout his service, Major Ratteray has embodied the very best the military has to offer, consistently promoting ahead of his peer group.

“As a part-time officer, he helps to reflect that the regiment is a predominately reserve organisation, whilst demonstrating the outstanding competencies that are held by all personnel. We share a focus for moving the coastguard to full operating capability, balancing our recruitment and retention, and enhancing our domestic and expeditionary roles.”

Major Ratteray joined the regiment in 2003 as a 23-year old. He was commissioned as an officer two years later and served in several roles, including as company commander of A and C Companies.

Major Ratteray was the officer commanding for the first all-volunteer Recruit Camp in 2016 and has spent much of his military career in training and instructional roles.

He has also completed the platoon commanders’ battle course in Wales, passed out from the Canadian Staff College and done the advanced command and staff college course for Army Reserve forces at the UK’s Defence Academy in Shrivenham, Oxfordshire.