In a significant recognition of bravery and leadership, 32 Royal Navy personnel have been honoured in the New Year and Operational Honours list, approved by The King.
These awards highlight the extraordinary efforts of sailors who faced missile and drone attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Yemen during the winter/spring of 2022-23.
Notably, Commander Pete Evans, Commanding Officer of HMS Diamond, earned an OBE for his leadership while his ship was under constant threat of attack. HMS Diamond’s crew successfully shot down nine drones and a missile, providing vital protection to merchant vessels in the region. Commander Evans shared the credit with the ship’s 200-strong crew, whose professionalism and bravery kept the sea lanes open and ensured the safety of merchant sailors.
Among those honoured is Able Seaman Warfare Specialist M. Winton, who was mentioned in dispatches for his heroic actions while manually targeting and destroying a drone in difficult conditions, undoubtedly saving civilian lives.
Commander Rich Kemp, leading HMS Richmond during its time replacing HMS Diamond, also earned an OBE for successfully operating in high-risk areas and shooting down two attack drones. Commander David Armstrong was awarded the King’s Commendation for Valuable Service for his role as deputy commander of an international naval group in the Middle East, contributing to the record-breaking seizure of illegal narcotics.
Further recognition includes Warrant Officer 1 Nick Ollive, made an MBE for his leadership within the Royal Marines, and Commander Teilo Elliot-Smith, who earned an OBE for his contributions to the Royal Navy’s overseas patrol ship programme.
Senior officers also received top honours, with knighthoods awarded to General Gwyn Jenkins, Commandant General of the Royal Marines, and Vice Admiral Martin Connell, Second Sea Lord. Rear Admiral Jude Terry, the first female admiral in the Royal Navy, was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath for her significant contributions to the Service.
These recognitions underscore the exceptional professionalism and courage displayed by Royal Navy personnel in challenging and high-pressure environments, reinforcing the Navy’s commitment to international security and its role in maintaining stability across critical maritime regions.
The full list of those recognised is:
KNIGHT COMMANDER OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH (KCB)
Vice Admiral Martin J Connell CBE
General G Jenkins CB OBE
COMPANION IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH (CB)
Rear Admiral Tom E Manson OBE
Rear Admiral Jude H Terry OBE
COMMANDER IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (CBE)
Captain Ben S Haskins OBE
Surgeon Commodore Jason Smith KHP
OFFICER IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (OBE)
Commander Charlie A Collins
Captain Stu Crombie
Commander Teilo J Elliot-Smith
Captain David A Gillett
Commander Pete A Evans
Commander Rich L Kemp
MEMBER OF THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (MBE)
Lieutenant Commander John R E Gabb
Chief Petty Officer Warfare Specialist (Tactical Submarines) Russell E Green
Leading Hand (Intelligence) Chloe N R MacDonald
Warrant Officer 1 Nicholas A T Ollive RM
Chief Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering Submarines) David Smee
Lieutenant Colonel (Volunteer Cadet Corps) Christopher R Spratt
Commander Rob Steadman
Lieutenant Commander Charles A G Thornton
ROYAL RED CROSS – ASSOCIATE (ARRC)
Lieutenant Commander Kim Cockcroft Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service
KING’S VOLUNTEER RESERVE MEDAL (KVRM)
Captain Paul T Hill RD Royal Naval Reserve
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER (DSO)
Colonel Al S Carns RM OBE MC MP
MENTION IN DISPATCHES (MiD)
Lieutenant Commander Matt P Johnson
Lieutenant Commander Daniel Owen-Hughes
Able Seaman Warfare Specialist (Abovewater Warfare Weapons) M Winton
KING’S COMMENDATION FOR VALUABLE SERVICE
Commander David M Armstrong
Lieutenant Commander James P Bradshaw
Petty Officer Warfare Specialist (Above Water Warfare Tactical) Reuben C Homewood
Lieutenant Nikolai E P L’Vov-Basirov
Lieutenant Matt R Poxon
Lieutenant Commander Katie Romanowska Queen Alexandra’s Royal Naval Nursing Service
MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDAL – DECEMBER 2024
Warrant Officer 1 (Exec) S J Baker
Warrant Officer 1 WS (Submarines) P I Brooke
Warrant Officer 1 Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering Submarines) W J Burt
Warrant Officer 1 Warfare Specialist (Above Water Warfare Tactical) W J Cook
Warrant Officer 1 Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) B M Cooper
Warrant Officer 1 Warfare Specialist (Above Water Warfare Tactical) A Crawford
Warrant Officer 1 (Diver) K E Fenwick QGM
Chief Engineering Technician (Weapon Engineering) G L Flowers
Warrant Officer 1 (Exec) J P Garvey
Chief Petty Officer (Air Engineering Technician) S B D Gavin
Warrant Officer 1 (Air Engineering Technician) D M Haseltine
Warrant Officer 1 (Exec) D Hemmings
Warrant Officer 2 J D A Hill Royal Marines
Lieutenant A Hurley Royal Navy
Chief Petty Officer (Aircrewman) P J Hutton
Chief Petty Officer (Diver) M E Jacobs
Chief Petty Officer (Int) A E Morton
Chief Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering Submarines) R S O’Callaghan
Warrant Officer 1 Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) D A Rogers
Warrant Officer 1 N R Shutt Royal Marines
Warrant Officer 2 Air Engineering Technician (Avionics) D Stanley
Warrant Officer 1 (Diver) R J Walker
Warrant Officer 1 Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) G M Wilson
Joint Commander’s Commendation
Major T C Arkell Royal Marines
Lieutenant Commander J W Cuddeford
Lieutenant Commander D M Gell
Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) M Maiden
Lieutenant Commander J Murray
Sergeant R Stewart Royal Marines
Lieutenant Commander D Thomson
Joint Commander’s Team Commendation
HMS Lancaster RM Boarding Team
HMS Lancaster Starboard Electronic Warfare Sub-department
Land Commander’s Commendation
Commander E Bingham Royal Naval Reserve
First Sea Lord’s Commendation
Chief Petty Officer (Coxswain) A Bullingham
Warrant Officer 2 (Cryptologic Technician) L Bugby
Chief Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) J Coppock
Warrant Officer 2 (Police) P Faulkner
Chief Petty Officer (Survival Equipment Technician) S Holland
Mr Simon Kyte
Leading (Diver) C Millington
Captain D Price Royal Marines
Commander D Slattery
Petty Officer (Cryptologic Technician) C Storey
Surgeon Lieutenant H Sutton
Colour Sergeant T Wallace Royal Marines
Lieutenant Commander T Wilson
Royal Navy Commendation
Lieutenant Commander C Boucher
Warrant Officer 1 Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineering) C Cartwright
Lieutenant J Cowell
Leading Engineering Technician (Communications Information Systems) E Dart
Mrs Abigail Faulkner
Lieutenant Commander L Funnell
Lieutenant Commander A Hall
Lieutenant C Ivill
Chief Officer S Jordan Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) C King
Lieutenant P Massey
Captain C McGinley Royal Marines Reserve
Warrant Officer 2 (Aircrewman) P Rudd
Lieutenant Colonel A Sandiford Royal Marines
Leading Logistician (Supply Chain) A Stacey
Second Officer E Walters Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Colour Sergeant R Williams Royal Marines
Major M Woodward Royal Engineers
Royal Navy Team Commendations
Royal Marine Reserve Force Development Team
814 Naval Air Squadron
Chief of Joint Operations Commendation
Lieutenant Commander S A H Wood
Commander UK Strategic Command Commendation
Lieutenant Commander S Williams
Vice Chief of Defence Staff Commendation
Major D S Johnston Royal Marines
Commander Field Army Commendation
Colour Sergeant D J Sykes Royal Marines
AOC 22 Group Commendations
Petty Officer Physical Trainer J Collin
Lieutenant Commander M H Win, Royal New Zealand Navy
Air and Space Commander and Air Member for Operations Commendation
Petty Officer Physical Trainer A Snowdon
Commander JAC Commendations:
Petty Officer (Naval Airman (Aircraft Handler)) S A Ashcroft
Lieutenant C Etheridge
Chief Petty Officer (Air Engineering Technician) W Guthrie
Chief Petty Officer (Air Engineering Technician) P Hillman
Chief Petty Officer (Air Engineering Technician) R B Hunter
Lieutenant Commander D J Inglis
Corporal N J O’Connell
Lieutenant Commander A M Rasor
Lieutenant E A G Riley
Chief Petty Officer (Air Engineering Technician) Y Starkey
Mr T Tatler
Commander JAC Team Commendations:
847 NAS Deployed Support Section, Ex Steadfast Defender
Not a single RFA mentioned oh what a surprise 🙄 Considering they are doing most of the RN tasking you think there would be at least one mention.
Two RFA on the list at initial glance. Given the numbers probably about correct given the pro rata allocation.
Funny how most of the recipient’s are officers. Not many in the way of lower ranks.
These lower rank personnel are the ones putting their lives on the line and getting the actual job done.
I count 52 ratings and NCOs on that list.
David, It is about 50/50 – officers and non-commissioned ranks. The officers are getting the job done too.
Yes,, all good but a gay clothing designer gets a higher honour than a captain defending the country and a total a. Gets a knighthood for wrecking our capital just as a previous liar who killed thousands also got a knighthood, personally I would turn down any honour now as they are clearly an insult