Sailors Recognised For Going Above And Beyond The Call Of Duty

A host of sailors have been honoured with Commendations from the Queen and Fleet Commander for a range of services at a ceremony at Victory Building, HM Naval Base Portsmouth.

Lieutenant Commander Ben Martin received the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service for his work as HMS Daring's Principal Warfare Officer during her 2016-17 deployment to the Gulf. 

The destroyer had to safeguard shipping passing through the Bab el-Mandeb strait, which is a strategic pinch point for world trade between Yemen and Eritrea.

In October 2016, Houthi rebels attacked and badly damaged the HSV-2 Swift as it sailed through the strait.

The vessel was formerly used by the US Navy but at the time was being operated by the United Arab Emirates.

HMS Daring's operations lasted 50 days, throughout which the ship operated under the threat of attack by Houthi rebel-controlled coastal-defence cruise missiles and explosive boats. 

Lt Cdr Martin oversaw the preparations and conduct for each transit of the strait and ensured they were conducted at the highest degree of personnel and material readiness. 

Petty Officer Aaron Smith also received a Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service after he assumed the responsibilities of chief stoker on an operational V-boat for 15 months. 

One incident which received particular mention was when POET(MESM) Smith single-handedly fixed the sanitary system, which failed during a deterrent patrol.

Using his engineering judgement, he managed to identify a 'similar' replacement component from a completely unrelated system and refurbish the defective valve.

His ingenuity was praised as without him the ship would have lost its toilets and washing facilities which would have had a major impact on health, well-being and the morale of the entire ship's company. 

Vice Admiral Ben Key CBE also presented Leading Logs Andrew Gill with the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service for his role as the Royal Navy's sole supply chain rating at Al Minhad Airbase in the Gulf. 

The airbase is a key hub of Royal Navy operations in the region. LLogs Gill's hard work ensured delivery dates of equipment were achieved and, on several occasions, his foresight prevents breaches of procedure that may have disrupted important tasking. 

Lieutenant Isha Harvey received a Fleet Commander’s Commendation for her work as executive assistant to the CO of Commando Helicopter Force (CHF).

In her role, she oversaw improvements to CHF’s medical and personnel record administration, organised two hugely-successful CHF ‘experience’ days which raised a significant amount of money for charities, and delivered the high-profile annual ‘Junglie’ dinner.

Lt Harvey was also honoured for her support of the Royal Navy’s Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic organisation and was said to act to great effect as a ‘reverse’ mentor to senior officers, providing counsel on the direction and focus of the Navy’s BAME organisation as well as feedback on the effectiveness of its activities.

Petty Officer Richard Wilmot also received a Fleet Commander's Commendation for his key role i replacing an unserviceable Lynx aboard RFA Wave Knight in the Caribbean – a replacement desperately needed as a hurricane neared.

PO Wilmot volunteered to lead all engineering aspects of preparing the helicopter, including the road-move to Brize Norton and escorting the aircraft during the flights to and from Martinique.