RN divers' bravery dealing with bomb recognised in King's Birthday Honours
The King has honoured two divers who safely dealt with an unexploded Second World War bomb which brought much of Plymouth to a standstill.
Petty Officers Craig Maddock and Paul Cartwright showed both bravery and cool heads when a wartime bomb was found in Plymouth's Keyham district in February last year.
The pair were singled out for bravery awards in the Operational Honours announced jointly with His Majesty's Birthday Honours.
Overall, 32 sailors and Royal Marines were decorated for deeds and commitment on the frontline, to the safety and security of the UK, and charity work.
"The entire operation to defuse and move the bomb from St Michael Avenue in Keyham was a team effort, which saw every member of Bravo Diving Unit 1 work around the clock for three days to achieve the best outcome for the local community," said PO Cartwright, who was awarded the King's Commendation for Bravery.
"Whilst I am extremely honoured – and humbled – to receive this award, my contribution to the operation was no more valuable than that of all the military personnel and first responders that week.
"The most important thing is that the people of Keyham were able to go back to their homes once we had completed the operation."
PO Maddock and PO Cartwright, from the Plymouth-based Bravo Diving Unit 1, were among hundreds of military personnel involved in the operation to neutralise a 500kg bomb found in a garden in Keyham.
The explosive caused significant disruption because of its location in a densely packed residential area.
PO Maddock first removed a large amount of earth and concrete by hand and limited tools to access the explosive device, and accurately identified the fuses in tricky conditions.
When the bomb was moved to a safe area for transfer to a boat for disposal, he organised the task to desensitise the two live fuses and was with the device throughout to stabilise it and coordinate the complex evolution.
Subsequently, PO Cartwright loaded and drove the dangerous bomb through the city to Torpoint ferry slipway.
The ordnance was then detonated in Plymouth Sound.
"What was achieved that week was only possible because of the tireless professionalism, calm determination and teamwork shown by everyone involved," said PO Maddock, who was awarded the King's Gallantry Medal.
"The divers of Bravo Diving Unit 1, alongside emergency services and military partners, worked shoulder to shoulder under immense pressure to ensure the public's safety. I couldn't be prouder to have been part of such an outstanding team effort."
MBE for HMS Oardacious' fundraising leader
Lieutenant Commander Hugo Mitchell-Heggs was also received an MBE for raising money and awareness of mental health, especially in the submarine community.
Several Royal Navy teams have rowed the Atlantic under the Oardacious banner since its creation in 2018, and it has fundraised more than £1m for naval and Royal Marine charities.
"I'm deeply honoured by this recognition, which reflects not one person's work but a shared commitment to improving the lives of others," Lt Cdr Mitchell-Heggs said.
"I'm proud to have stood alongside so many remarkable people working to make the Royal Navy community stronger, kinder and more human. From submarines to ocean rowing crossings, it's been a privilege to explore how resilience and community can shape something truly powerful!"
His Majesty's Birthday Honours – Royal Navy
Companion in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB)
Rear Admiral Steve McCarthy
Rear Admiral Rob Pedre
Commander in the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Commodore Paul Dunn OBE
Commodore Phil Game
Commodore Tim Green ADC
Officer in the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Commander Jon Browett
Commander Christopher ‘Titch’ Evans
Lieutenant Colonel Paul ‘Fitz’ Fitzpatrick
Captain Polly Hatchard
Lieutenant Colonel Liam Metcalfe RM
Captain Eugene Morgan OBE RD
Lieutenant Colonel Alex Pounds RM
Member of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Surgeon Commander Matthew Osborne
Lieutenant Commander Will Barker
Major Lewis Bodycote RM
Chief Petty Officer (Air Engineering Technician) Rhys Dyas
Commander Danny Glover
Warrant Officer 1 Rob Govier
Warrant Officer 1 Air Engineering Technician (Mechanical) Mark Hart
Commander Carla Higgins
Warrant Offocer 1 Robin McColl
Lieutenant Commander Hugo Mitchell-Heggs
Major Lee Stewart RM
Commander James Tibbitts
Chief Petty Officer (Air Engineering Technician) Robert Warnett
Chief Petty Officer (Warfare Specialist) Michael Watson
King's Volunteer Reserve Medal (KVRM)
Warrant Officer 1 Logistician (Supply Chain) Samantha Martin VR
Operational Honours
King's Gallantry Medal
Leading Logistician (Catering Services) David La Croix
Petty Officer (Diver) Craig Maddock
King's Commendation for Bravery
Petty Officer (Diver) Paul Cartwright
King's Commendation for Valuable Service
Warrant Officer 2 Engineering Technician Michael Barker
Lieutenant Commander Matt Johnson
Meritorious Service Medal
Chief Petty Officer Air Engineering Technician (M) M J Bailey
Chief Petty Officer Warfare Specialist (SSM) D A Broadfoot
Warrant Officer 1 (Medical Assistant) M L Carron
Warrant Officer 1 (Exec) D P Claridge
Warrant Officer 1 P J Collacott
Warrant Officer 1 A R Davies
Chief Petty Officer (Police) A L Drake
Warrant 1 (Exec) G A Head
Chief Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) E A Howard
Warrant Officer 1 Logistician (Writer) T C Jones
Warrant Officer 1 J Low
Warrant Officer 2 D J Maytum
Warrant Officer 1 Logistician (Catering Services) G M Mee
Warrant Officer 2 Logistician (Catering Services) A Millar
Chief Petty Officer Air Engineering Technician (Avionics) L Osman
Joint Commander's Commendation
Chief Petty Officer Warfare Specialist (Abovewater Warfare Weapons) A A Brown
Chief Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineering)(CIS) H N Chenery
Leading Logistician (Supply Chain) O G Clark
Lieutenant Commander L J Duke
Chief Petty Officer Warfare Specialist (Abovewater Weapons Tactical) M Gibson
Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Communications and Information Systems) O J Halliwell
Lieutenant Commander M J Harris
Lieutenant Commander M J Hawkins
Petty Officer Logistician (Catering Services) S D Hopkins
Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineering) D J W Kirsopp
Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) A C McAllister
Petty Officer Warfare Specialist (Underwater Warfare) J L Pearson
Lieutenant Commander B Preston
Lieutenant Commander R C Sawyer
Petty Officer Logistician (Supply Chain) S M Window
Joint Commander's Team Commendation
N2 Team United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander
First Sea Lord's Commendation
Warrant Officer 1 G Bennett
Chief Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineering) M Craib
Chief Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Communication and Information System) G Ellis VR
Major W Grounsell Royal Marines
Major J Poole Royal Marines
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