Sailors key to ensuring the smooth running of Royal Navy operations around the world are among three dozen personnel honoured by His Majesty the King in his first Official Birthday Honours.
Men and women from a host of units and bases from across the navy and Royal Marines have had their hard work and commitment to going the extra mile rewarded.
A handful of the recipients are responsible for getting Royal Navy ships to the front line of global operations from contributing to HMS Dauntless’ engine upgrade to seeing the new patrol boats delivered to the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron.
Commander Charlie Barrow drew on two decades’ experience – especially his widespread knowledge of patrol ships – to help bring back a permanent Royal Navy presence to the Indo-Pacific region after a hiatus of a quarter of a century.
For the past two years the Batch 2 River Class patrol ships have been at the forefront of the Royal Navy’s programme to deploy warships in areas of key strategic interest to the UK – South Atlantic, Caribbean, Mediterranean/West Africa and the vast Indo-Asia-Pacific region.
From before the ships left build the 44-year-old, from Worthing in West Sussex, has been instrumental in ensuring the programme has been a success, in particular laying the groundwork for HMS Tamar and Spey’s joint mission to the Indo-Asia-Pacific.
The ‘forward deployed’ programme is now regarded as the benchmark for Royal Navy operations around the globe.
Commander Barrow’s efforts earn him the OBE.
“It has been an incredible opportunity to see the evolution of our patrol ships,” said the Portsmouth-based officer.
“I visited HMS Tamar when she was still in build and the idea of a new, persistent global presence was still being developed.
“The immense effort made by the ship’s companies and our partners in DE&S and BAE Systems to prepare the vessels for years on the far side of the world – at a time when Covid was making everything more challenging – was a wonder to behold. I will always remember being a part of it.
“I am honoured to be recognised for my part in this incredible journey but reflect that without the hard work and commitment of many people – in and out of uniform – none of this might have happened.”
Lieutenant Commander Amy Glover has been made an MBE for her efforts to fit new engines to HMS Dauntless. As the marine engineering officer of the Type 45 destroyer, she was instrumental in ensuring the success of the ship’s Power Improvement Programme.
The major overhaul saw the installation of three new efficient engines – replacing two original diesel units – to ensure the 8,500-tonne destroyer has a more reliable, robust source of power.
Lt Cdr Glover is now deployed with the ship to the Caribbean where Dauntless will support British Overseas Territories during hurricane season and counter drugs trafficking in the region.
“When I was initially told, I was completely speechless,” she said.
“Now I’ve had time to reflect, I’m so very proud. For me, it represents years of hard work and sacrifice of many amazing people who I’ve had the privilege to serve with both at sea and ashore in support of these incredible ships.”
She added: “My family and friends will be over the moon. They have always been so proud of me and my career in the Royal Navy.
“I could not have done it without them and their unwavering support, patience and understanding.”
Lt Cdr Glover has spent almost half of her career serving at sea or working ashore in support of the Royal Navy’s fleet of Type 45s.
And she’s excited to see Dauntless back on operations.
“One year ago we sailed down the River Mersey for first-of-class sea trials. I never dreamed that less than a year later we would deploy on operations. We are ready to provide contingent hurricane and disaster relief support,” Lt Cdr Glover continued.
“It represents an exciting new chapter for Dauntless and the Type 45s which I am very proud to be a part of.”
Another engineer who excels is Warrant Officer 2 Jamie Dougal. Already the Royal Navy’s ‘engineer of the year’, he too has been made an MBE for his work introducing new fast patrol boats HMS Cutlass and Dagger into service.
The boats are now the backbone of the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron, patrolling the waters of the Rock on a daily basis.
His citation said: “Bringing into service the two new Cutlass-class ships, his engineering acumen was fundamental in overcoming defects and generating the associated engineering policy, doctrine, and operating procedures.
“Keeping the programme on track against a demanding schedule, he delivered the new ships.”
The full list of honours recipients is:
Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (KCB)
Vice Admiral Rick Thompson
Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB)
Rear Admiral Jim Higham
Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Commodore James Dean
Rear Admiral Tim Woods
Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Commander Charles Barrow
Commander Ian Danbury
Colonel Jon Dowd RM
Captain Des Hirons
Captain Stephen Large
Lieutenant Colonel Michael Scanlon RM
Commander Fergus Walker
Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Lieutenant Zach Blow
Warrant Officer 1 Andrew Cornish RM Band Service
Petty Officer (Diver) A R Coulson
Warrant Officer 1 (Mine Warfare) John Cowan
Warrant Officer 2 (Engineering Technician) Jamie Dougal
Sergeant James Dunlop, RM Band Service
Chief Petty Officer Victoria Glassey
Lieutenant Commander Amy Glover
Lieutenant Commander Anthony Lofts
Sub Lieutenant Adaiah Providence-Culzac
Petty Officer Weapon Engineer (Engineering Technician) B J Turner-MacDonald
Captain R I Watson RM
Major C A Webber RM
Royal Red Cross
Commander Karen McCullough
Meritorious Service Medal (MSM)
WO1AET M Fairbank
WO1WS(AWT) M A Marshall
CPO(D) D L May
WO2 J Morrad
WO1ET(WESM) D Murphy
WO1ET(WE)P Nation
WO1COXN(SM) A Patton
WO2 RM J R Piner
WO1 RM J Tooley
WO1ET(MESM) J Turner
WO1ET(ME) M R Wallace
