Sailors and Royal Marines have been recognised for their unwavering duty with a place in the New Year's Honours List 2020.
A submariner who helped search for a missing Argentine boat, two Royal Marines dedicated to helping injured, wounded or traumatised comrades and veterans are among nearly 30 Naval Service personnel honoured by the Queen.
The 2020 New Years Honours list announced today rewards more than two dozen experienced officers and senior leaders, volunteers and stalwarts of the many branches of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines.
Warrant Officer 2nd Class Brian Dent of 30 Commando, based at RM Stonehouse in Plymouth, has devoted the past five years of his career to supporting some of the most badly injured, sick or wounded military personnel.
He acts as a military liaison officer at the Defence and National Rehabilitation Centre in Stanford Hall, near Loughborough; it has taken over from Headley Court as the place where the forces’ most seriously injured are helped back to fitness.
Fellow Royal Marine Colour Sergeant Samuel Sheriff from the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone, near Exeter, set up the charity REORG to help both serving personnel and veterans suffering from mental health problems or physical disabilities.
Royal Navy Warrant Officer 1st Class Nick Sharland is the Warrant Officer Naval Service – the most senior of all the 25,000 ratings and ranks in the Navy and Royal Marines.
He acts as the adviser and right-hand man of the First Sea Lord when it comes to morale, discipline, training and any other issues affecting the non-officer cadre of the Naval Service.
Warrant Officer 1st Class Steve Thorpe is one of the Silent Service’s most experienced submariners with 34 years under his belt in almost every class of submarine operating since the mid-80s.
He also proved a key member of a team sent to Argentina in late 2017 to help the international search effort looking for the missing submarine ARA San Juan.
All four men receive the MBE for their efforts.
“There’s a fundamental pride in being a submariner – it’s a unique job in a unique environment. I am immensely proud to be receiving the MBE,” said Warrant Officer Thorpe.
“Despite the sad outcome and the loss of 44 submariners in the San Juan, it was an unforgettable experience.
“The Argentine military and people were welcome – and appreciative of the assistance offered. There’s a mutual respect between submariners whatever the nation, a common bond so you understand what your counterparts or their families are going through.”
Also recognised in the end-of-year list of honours is former First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones who stood down earlier this year after four decades’ service; he receives the Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath.
The list of Naval Service recipients in full
KNIGHT GRAND CROSS IN THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH (GCB)
Admiral Sir Philip Jones
COMPANION OF THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH (CB)
Major General T J Bevis RM
Rear Admiral Tim Hodgson
COMMANDER OF THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (CBE)
Rear Admiral Martin Connell
Commodore Andy Cree
Captain Tim Neild
Brigadier Matt Pierson RM
OFFICER OF THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (OBE)
Commander Andy Donaldson
Commodore Henry Duffy
Colonel Garth Manger RM
Colonel Paul Maynard RM
Captain Michael ‘Rocky’ Salmon
Commander Dan Simmonds
Captain John Voyce
MEMBER OF THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE (MBE)
Warrant Officer 1 David Annan
Warrant Officer 2 Brian Dent RM
Commander Justin Hains
Captain Mark Hankey
Commander Andy Perks
Commander Justin Saward
Acting Commander Sue Seagrave
Warrant Officer 1 Nick Sharland
Colour Sergeant Samuel Sheriff RM
Lieutenant (Sea Cadet Corps) Janice Spicer RNR
Lieutenant Commander Adam Spike
Warrant Officer 1 Stephen Thorpe
QUEEN’S VOLUNTARY RESERVE MEDAL (QVRM)
Lieutenant Will Benbow RNR
ORDINARY MEMBER FIRST CLASS ROYAL RED CROSS (RRC)
Commander Ian Kennedy
