Petty Officer Dale Thomas of HMS Glasgow has been awarded the prestigious Herbert Lott Efficiency Award for his outstanding contribution to training and governance on board the Royal Navy’s first Type 26 frigate, according to a Royal Navy news update.
PO Thomas was recognised for “demonstrating significant personal initiative and perseverance in delivering governance and training on the ship’s communications equipment,” the Royal Navy stated.
HMS Glasgow, currently undergoing fitting out at BAE Systems’ Scotstoun yard alongside her sister ship HMS Cardiff, is the lead vessel in the Royal Navy’s next-generation Type 26 frigate programme.
According to the announcement, “PO Thomas […] has led numerous meetings and working groups to continue the development of training course[s] for the CIS systems on board the ship.”
His efforts have included guiding the transition of new engineers into the communications and information systems (CIS) team, enhancing training for future weapon engineers, and ensuring continuity and rigour in technical instruction across the Type 26 class.
The award was presented by Captain Stuart Yates, recognising PO Thomas’s role in supporting one of the Royal Navy’s most advanced and strategically important new platforms.
The Herbert Lott Efficiency Award is part of a long-standing Royal Navy tradition. Originally established in 1930 following donations by Herbert Lott—a former London Stock Exchange member with a deep interest in naval matters—the award recognises those who show “marked efficiency or shall contribute in signal degree to the improvement of the appliances of the Naval and Marine Forces.”
That’s a blast from the past. The Herbert Lott Award.
Very much more respected for its comedy value, often featuring in banter and Sods Opera’s