A CONTRACTOR from MOD Lyneham has won a prestigious army photography award for his photo of a boxer heading to the ring.

Guy Butler, 37, from Royal Wootton Bassett won the Pro Sport Adventurous Training award at this year’s British Army Photographic Competition.

The competition, which has been running for more than 20 years launched Operation Camera this year, as an incentive to open up the competition to members of the public to find a winning photo of the British Army.

His winning shot, named Fist Bump, was taken during the first 8 Training Battalion REME boxing night, held at the newly opened Prince Phillip Barracks, at MOD Lyneham.

Mr Butler captured the image on the final bout of the night as the boxers swaggered past the VIPs and guests towards the ring, and shows the moment when Matthew Wells passes the Commanding Officer 8 Trg Bn REME Lieutenant Colonel Daryl Hirst.

He said: “It is simply an amazing honour to be recognised amongst my peers. I feel very privileged as a civilian to be working so closely with the British Army across all their work life and social spectrums.

“This is the first competition I’ve ever entered any of my work into as a photographer, so am both stunned and ecstatic to have won especially when the pool of talent within the professional photographers both in the Royal Logistic Corps and Civil Service is so high.”

Mr Butler was presented with his prize by Chief of the General Staff General Sir Nicholas Carter at a ceremony held at the Imperial War Museum, London, last Wednesday, October 25, where a display of the winning images is being held.