Marksmanship accolades for HMS Iron Duke sailors

Six sailors from HMS Iron Duke competed in a multinational shooting competition with 15 other NATO teams - and swept up all the awards.

Having taken part in NATO Exercise Baltops earlier this month, HMS Iron Duke spent a weekend in Germany for Kiel Week, a popular annual sailing event.

As part of the visit, the ship was invited to participate in a number of sporting competitions against the other ships in attendance.

Six sailors from Iron Duke took part in the shooting contest - including Major Peter Clarke, Lieutenant Cameron Fisher, Leading Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) Romaine James, Officer Cadet Patrick Docker, Officer Cadet Tobias Williams, and Officer Cadet Jack Hart.

The sailors, split into two teams, won both first and second place in the target shooting, and also won first place in the pistol shoot.

On top of that, Royal Marine Major Peter Clarke won the best individual rifle and Officer Cadet Jack Hart won the best individual Pistol, leaving not a single award to be won by any other ship.

Lieutenant Fisher, an officer of the watch on board Iron Duke, said, "The competition originated in 1911 when a German Admiral and an American Admiral were in disagreement over whose men were the better marksmen.

"And 116 years later, it turns out that it is the British sailors who shoot better! It was an outstanding victory and a clean sweep for Iron Duke however there were no hard feelings from the other teams as the day was thoroughly enjoyed by all."