Men and women from across the Royal Navy have had their hard work and commitment recognised by His Majesty the King.
Dozens of personnel from the naval endeavour – including reservists and civil servants – have been named in the King’s Birthday and Operational Honours.
Their efforts – from deployments overseas to implementing new technology and overseeing the future of the navy – has result in honours for what many describe as moments of pride for both them and their families.
The list includes sailors at the heart of the UK Carrier Strike Group’s deployment to the Indo-Pacific last year as well as submariners who crew Vanguard-class submarines – one is always deployed conducting the UK’s nuclear deterrent on Operation Relentless, a mission going back more than 50 years.
Sailors committed to improving the environment through their work have also been recognised alongside those who have supported overseas territories with humanitarian work in the wake of Nature’s wrath.
Captain Philip Burgess receives the OBE for his work in supporting the construction of the Fleet’s first Type 26 frigate, HMS Glasgow.
As the senior naval officer of the ship, the first of class, his citation said he “played a key role in improving UK shipbuilding performance at the waterfront and with international partners”.
It added: “He led delivery of the first Type 26 and built a unified ethos across the support organisation, strengthening links with MOD teams and industry. He encouraged his team to embrace opportunities offered by this new class, fostering a positive, inquisitive culture.”
Awarded the OBE in the Operational Honours is Commander Benjamin Dorrington for his command of Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless.
“He displayed exceptional leadership during Operation Highmast, transforming HMS Dauntless into a mission-ready air defence unit capable of protecting the Royal Navy flagship in high-threat environments,” his citation reads.
“Despite compressed timelines, he balanced ship regeneration and crew training, ensuring Dauntless was fully prepared for deployment. As Air and Missile Defence Commander, he led rigorous training to counter advanced threats, uniting UK, and international forces into an effective unit.”
Captain Keith Stephenson earns an OBE for his work in the Royal Navy’s Disruptive Capabilities and Technology Office – the navy’s experts in getting innovative equipment to the frontline.
He has “played a pivotal role in advancing autonomous systems across organisational, national and international levels, demonstrating ambition, energy and determination.
“His operationally-significant projects now have international impact, driven directly by his leadership and personal effort.”
Capt Stephenson said: “Having spent much of the past ten years working to deliver emergent technology projects for wider Defence, the Royal Navy and latterly to Ukraine I, feel incredibly honoured to receive this award, particularly when I am continually humbled by the dedication, drive and resourcefulness of the people that I am privileged to work with from across the MOD, industry and academia.”
Elsewhere, Lieutenant (Sea Cadet Corps) Joshua McDermott, currently Commanding Officer of Ellesmere Port Sea Cadet Corps Unit, has been made an MBE.
In a decade of volunteering, he has provided a committed service to his local community. He has transformed two struggling units and has directly helped more than 175 young people.
He said: “I am deeply honoured and genuinely humbled to have been awarded an MBE. Volunteering with the Sea Cadets has always been about giving young people opportunities, confidence and experiences that help them realise their potential, so to receive recognition in this way is both unexpected and incredibly special.
“My family are absolutely delighted. They have supported me throughout many years of volunteering, often putting up with evenings, weekends and holidays being dedicated to cadet activities, so this honour is very much something we will celebrate together.
“Looking back, I am particularly proud of the work undertaken to turn around two Sea Cadet units and help create environments where young people can thrive. Seeing cadets develop, gain qualifications, build confidence and go on to achieve things they never thought possible has always been the greatest reward.”
Royal Naval Reservist Lieutenant Adam Lappin has also been made an MBE for his work as a Media Operations Specialist but also in outreach projects both within the navy and his community.
“It was a real shock to get the phone call, and it has not really sunk in,” he said.
“After 25 years in the Royal Navy, it is nice to see that the commitment to not only the Naval role is recognised, but also time spent fostering relationships with the Sea Cadet Corps – I’m a former Sea Cadet in Bury and Radcliffe Unit myself – and helping to develop future generations, valued members of society and prospective new service personnel in and around the north west of England.”
He added: “My family will see this as a fantastic achievement. My wife, who is also a serving Royal Naval Reservist and a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer in Preston Sea Cadets, sees the work that goes into this and I could not do what I do without her support and assistance… I see this as very much a team effort and recognition for both our efforts.”
He said standout moments of his career included taking part in Operation Telic in Iraq in 2003, commissioning as into the Logistics Branch as a Logistics Officer in 2009 and playing ice hockey for the Royal Navy, winning two Inter Service titles as a player.
