Three members of the Naval Service have been rewarded at a special ceremony onboard Nelson’s Flagship HMS Victory in Portsmouth’s Historic Dockyard.
The First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Sir Philip Jones KCB ADC, welcomed the trio of sailors who each received a prestigious ‘First Sea Lord’s Greenwich Hospital Prize’, in recognition of their commitment and high level of excellence, over and above which might be expected of them.
The prizes embody the values of today’s Royal Navy and distinguish individuals that constantly go beyond the call of duty.
“Loyalty, Courage, Discipline, Commitment, Integrity and Respect were the values of Nelson and have not changed from one generation to the next,” said Admiral Sir Philip Jones.
"These have served us from Trafalgar to Jutland, from the North Cape to the South Atlantic, in Normandy and Helmand, and they serve us today, wherever we are and whatever we are doing.”
In its second year, the 1SL Greenwich Hospital Prize was established as a 4* Commendation in 2016 to celebrate individuals who have shown an outstanding commitment to the Naval Service.
Supported by the oldest of navy charities - Greenwich Hospital - which has since 1694 been affiliated to the Royal Navy - the location for the awards was no coincidence.
Many veterans of the Battle of Trafalgar saw out their days at the Royal Hospital for Seamen in Greenwich. Although the institution closed over 150 years ago, the charity still supports today’s Sailors and Royal Marines as well as Reservists and the Royal Fleet Auxiliary.
Receiving this year’s prizes were:
- Lieutenant Commander Russell Scott for his outstanding work on the HMS Queen Elizabeth delivery programme.
- Leading Medical Assistant Joel Magory for his commitment on exercises and operation in the past two years.
- Leading Naval Nurse Elizabeth Crofts for her extraordinary leadership and courage during a road traffic incident involving multiple casualties.
“Today has been a very proud moment for me,” said LNN Elizabeth Crofts. “It’s was emotional listening to history of the connection with Greenwich Hospital and I feel very privileged to receive the prize from the First Sea Lord on his Flagship, HMS Victory.”
First Sea Lord continued, “Before the end of the year, the 18thCentury silhouette of HMS Victory will be joined on the Portsmouth Skyline by the decidedly 21st Century superstructure of a 65,000 tonne aircraft carrier.
"This is an exciting new chapter for British Maritime power.
"But I know that the Royal Navy’s greatest strength will always be its men and women; and in celebrating the calibre of these three recipients we can take enormous pride in the Royal Navy of today and have great confidence of the Royal Navy of tomorrow.”
Last year’s prize receivers were:
- Lt Bryce-Johnston of Northwood Medical Centre, who managed the public health database of MOD workers returning from OP Gritrock.
- WO Steve Thorpe as the Executive Warrant Officer for HMS Portland.
- WO 1 Terence Miller for his services as Careers Advisor in the Naval Careers Service.
