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RAF New Years Honours 2019

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/t...r-honours-2019

ROYAL AIR FORCE AWARDS

PROMOTIONS IN AND APPOINTMENTS TO THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH

As Companions

Air Marshal Sean Keith Paul REYNOLDS, CBE

Air-Vice Marshal Andrew Mark TURNER, CBE

PROMOTIONS IN AND APPOINTMENTS TO THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE

As Commanders

Group Captain Mark Robert FLEWIN

Air-Vice Marshal Michael Patrick HART

Group Captain Timothy Telfer JONES

As Officers

Wing Commander Mark Donald ABRAHAMS, MBE

Wing Commander Paul John CROOK

Group Captain Ian James FANCOURT

Wing Commander Kevin Lee GATLAND

Wing Commander Christopher Robert MELVILLE, MBE

Squadron Leader David Alan MONTENEGRO

Wing Commander (now Group Captain) Nicola Suzanne THOMAS

As Members

Flight Sergeant Brian James AITKEN

Warrant Officer Ian Melvyn BALDERSTONE

Wing Commander Garry Peter BALL

Sergeant Paul Gerard BERRY

Squadron Leader Dheeraj BHASIN

Corporal Denise BONEHAM

Corporal (now Acting Sergeant) Andrew James BRANSTON

Flight Lieutenant Michael Anthony BROADHURST

Warrant Officer Simon John HARDWICK

Wing Commander John Anthony MCCARTHY

Wing Commander Mark Douglas MCNULTY

Squadron Leader Joanne Elizabeth ROE

Wing Commander Daniel LUNNON-WOOD

QUEEN’S VOLUNTEER RESERVES MEDAL

Wing Commander Kayode Oludaisi Adesegun ADEBOYE

Flight Lieutenant Jane Tasmin COWLING

and the extended version with commendations: https://www.raf.mod.uk/news/articles/royal-air-force-new-year-honours-list-2019

Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Mr Alan George HEAD

British Empire Medal (BEM)

Mrs Nerys BELL

Mr William James ESPIE

Mr George Brownlie PRENTICE

Meritorious Service Medal, CAS, Deputy Commanders' and AOC Commendations

3 FTS RAFC Cranwell

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant M. K. FALVEY FTRS

Flight Sergeant P. J. SIMMONS

Mr N. SCOPES

Mr M. WALKER

90 SU RAF Leeming

CAS Commendation

Squadron Leader S. J. BOWYER

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Corporal W. J. ARNOLD

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Sergeant N. W. E. CORLESS

Sergeant K. A. GRUBEY

Corporal K. S. COXON FTRS

Team Commendations

90 Signals Unit - RAF Web Team

90 Signals Unit, C&I Sqn Rapid Application, Innovation & Development Flt RAVEN Team

90 Signals Unit, 5 Sqn - Information Systems (IS) Hub Team

591 Signals Unit Engineering Support

COS Cap

Meritorious Service Medal

Master Aircrew P. S. EDWARDES

DComs' Commendation

Wing Commander K. J. TERRETT

HQ 11 Gp

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer M. I. J. SOLLEY

VCDS Commendation

Wing Commander A. F. R. MILLSOM NZBD

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Acting Flight Sergeant N. A. DOODY

HQ 22 Gp

DComs' Commendation

Warrant Officer S. J. CRIGHTON FTRS

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Mr P. FISHER

AO A4

Comd JFC Commendation

Acting Warrant Officer A. J. BROWN

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant J. G. K. GARRETT

Team Commendation

RAF Support Services Team

AO A6

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer S. D. ASPINALL

CAS Commendation

Squadron Leader A. E. LITTLEFIELD

ACOS Career & Talent Mgt

Meritorious Service Medal

Flight Sergeant S. M. FENWICK

DComs' Commendation

Flight Lieutenant G. L. BEAN

Team Commendation

ACOS Manning RAF Disclosures

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Flight Sergeant L. CLARK FTRS

ACOS Ops

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Acting Sergeant C. M. A. HEEREY FTRS

ACOS Pers Del

CAS Commendation

Warrant Officer P. A. CHADWICK FTRS

DComs' Commendation

Mrs E. F. FRYER

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Squadron Leader E. A. CALVERT

ACOS Pers Pol

DComs' Commendation

Squadron Leader V. J. LITTLECHILD

BM Force Cdr

CAS Commendation

Acting Flight Sergeant A. J. HIGGINS

HQ Air Cadets Cranwell

DComs' Commendation

Wing Commander D. C. McCRAE

Squadron Leader R. W. FOSTER

Squadron Leader S. M. NAEEM

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Squadron Leader R. A. BROWNE

Squadron Leader J. R. GODDEN

Squadron Leader C. HAYNES

Squadron Leader J. V. LOXTON

Squadron Leader R. L. NEEDHAM

Squadron Leader C. E. P. SKIERA

Squadron Leader D. J. WITHNALL

Flight Lieutenant E. BUSBY

Flight Lieutenant D. A. HILL

Flight Lieutenant P. J. HUGHES

Flight Lieutenant E. WALTON

Warrant Officer (RAF Air Cadets) I. K. THOMAS

Sergeant A. P. DIPPLE FTRS

Mrs T. N. BOULTON

Team Commendations

National Aerospace Camp Team

Northern Ireland Wing ATC Centennial Wings Project Team

HQ RAF Recruiting and Selection

AOC 2 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant J. K. DONNELLY

Acting Flight Lieutenant K. J. DORMAN

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant A. L. ROSS

Mr J. GRAINGER

Team Commendation

P2 Processing Team

Air 38 Gp Med Ops

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Flight Sergeant C. L. WHEELER

Air Warfare Centre

DComs' Team Commendation

Joint Air Delivery Test & Evaluation Unit, Air Portability Section

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Sergeant P. D. BAGWELL

Sergeant A. E. WILSON

Corporal S. A. SHORT

AOC 2 Gp Commendation

Warrant Officer S. J. CONSTANTINE

DCBRNC Winterbourne Gunner

DComs' Commendation

Warrant Officer Class 2 J. E. JORDAN

AOC 2 Gp Commendation

Staff Sergeant J. D. MEEHAN

Mr N. LOVELOCK

Team Commendation

Defence CBRN Centre

DCLPA Worthy Down

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Acting Sergeant A. J. HART

DCTT

Meritorious Service Medal

Flight Sergeant S. TENNISON

CAS Commendation

Squadron Leader G. L. THOMAS

Chief Technician A. J. BROOKS

DComs' Team Commendation

RAF Cosford Air Show Team

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Captain S. M. MURFIN

Flight Sergeant M. P. SWEENEY FTRS

Sergeant M. A. McNEE

Corporal A. I. COLLINS

Mr P. CATTON

Team Commendations

MOD St Athan RAF100 Organisational Team

Number 4 School of Technical Training STEM Outreach Team

RAF100 Relay Baton Design and Manufacturing Team

Regimental Training Wing, 11th (Royal School of Signals) Signal Regiment

DSPG Southwick Park

CAS Commendation

Sergeant R. P. SPILLANE-SMITH

DSTO RAF St Mawgan

Meritorious Service Medal

Flight Sergeant N. S. WESTON

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Corporal R. J. JACKSON FTRS

Corporal H. M. STACKHOUSE FTRS

JFACC

DComs' Commendation

Sergeant B. A. KINKADE RAuxAF

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant J. R. AYLETT

JFC

CAS Commendation

Sergeant F. J. TINSLEY

DComs' Commendation

Squadron Leader A. HALL FTRS

Flight Lieutenant T. F. O. FOOTE

Warrant Officer V. S. TAYLOR FTRS

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Squadron Leader A. P. WALKER

Sergeant N. P. DASHWOOD

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Squadron Leader B. H. A. COLLINS

Corporal J. SAMUELS

JHC

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer G. CHIVERS

Master Aircrew G. JONES

Master Aircrew R. L. KNOWLES MBE

Warrant Officer C. McKNIGHT

Master AircrewA. M. NEAL MBE

Warrant Officer M. P. O'MAHONY

CAS Commendation

Flight Lieutenant S. M. HEWER

DComs' Commendation

Chief Technician P. A. WAKEFIELD

AOC 2 Gp Commendation

Warrant Officer M. J. MAGUIRE

Flight Sergeant S. C. B. POPE

Corporal K. S. FLYNN

Corporal S. P. MCNAMARA

Senior Aircraftman T. DUCEY

Mrs M. COATES

Team Commendations

RAF Benson Accounts Flight

RAF Benson Blue Sky Management Ideas Team

RAF Benson Catering Flight

RAF Benson Station Engagement Team & Photographic Section

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Senior Aircraftman M. J. L. EVANS

Commander JHC Commendation

Corporal L. COOPER

Sergeant G. BATES

Flight Lieutenant M. CROSBY-JONES

Commander JHC Commendation – Team Awards

Chinook Support Centre

Aircraft Explosives Bay

MOD Abbey Wood DE&S

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer P. J. HALL

Chief Technician R. J. BATES

DComs' Commendation

Warrant Officer K. ROBERTSON

RAF Boulmer

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Corporal C. J. McNEE

Senior Aircraftman P. J. BRIGHT

RAF Brize Norton

AOC 2 Gp Commendation

Master Aircrew R. S. T. ORR

Flight Sergeant R. BROMELL

Flight Sergeant N. W. POTTER

Acting Flight Sergeant C. CURTIS

Sergeant N. CONNELL

Sergeant K. D. CURLE

Sergeant D. E. HARDY

Acting Sergeant P. M. ROBERTS

Corporal C. P. VICKERS

Senior Aircraftman M. BISSET RAuxAF

Mr P. LEE

Team Commendations

LXX Squadron A400M Acceptance Engineering Team

ZZ171 Engineering Recovery Team, 99 Squadron

Ground Engineering Flight Duty Crew

Ground Fuels Section, RAF Brize Norton

Supply Control Accounting Flight, RAF Brize Norton

RAF CAM

DComs' Commendation

Squadron Leader P. A. GOODWIN FTRS

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Corporal R. I. HERRING

Mr C. CLAYSON

RAF Coningsby

DComs' Commendation

Squadron Leader J. E. FORDHAM

Senior Aircraftman (Technician) D. C. FARRER

Team Commendation

Royal Air Force Coningsby Armament Engineering Flights Weapon Training Cell

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Flight Sergeant P. A. BEDSON

Sergeant G. S. DAVIDSON

Corporal M. W. KIRKPATRICK

Team Commendations

RAF Coningsby Accounts Flight and Presidents of the Service Funds Internal Audit Board

Royal Air Force Coningsby Movements Flight

Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Trade Leaders

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Warrant Officer R. G. COLLINGE

RAFC Cranwell

DComs' Commendation

Mr J. S. FOX

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Sergeant J. T. H. SILK

Aircraftman R. M. W. CHINNOCK

Mrs K. CARTER

Team Commendation

Royal Air Force College Cranwell Air Traffic Control Squadron

RAF Digby

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant A. SPOUR

AOC 2 Gp Commendation

Corporal C. W. E. McCLEARY

RAF Halton

DComs' Commendation

Sergeant D. E. TRIMMINGHAM

Team Commendation

Personnel Services Flight

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Warrant Officer S. J. JACOBS

Flight Sergeant S. L. HAMMOND

Mrs R. FITCH

Mrs E. MALLAM

Mrs A. TURNER

Team Commendation

Commercial Business Team

RAF High Wycombe

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Flying Officer A. R. P. SOUTH

Sergeant M. DEL FRATE

Team Commendation

RAF High Wycombe Physical Education Flight

RAF Honington

DComs' Commendation

Flight Sergeant R. HOPPER

Team Commendation

27 Squadron RAF Regiment

AOC 2 Gp Commendation

Sergeant T. M. CORRIGAN

Sergeant S. J. MULLIGAN

Sergeant S. PERCIVAL

Corporal K. L. CHOUDHARY

Lance Corporal M. D. HODGSON

RAF Leeming

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer A. J. BEATTIE

Warrant Officer M. R. PRICE

Flight Sergeant L. L. GRIFFITHS

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant A. H. STEWART

Flight Sergeant L. J. NELSON

Sergeant G. MACDONALD FTRS

Team Commendations

Mobility Section

Operational Training Centre

RAF Linton on Ouse

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Flight Sergeant W. S. ALLEN

RAF Lossiemouth

DComs' Commendation

Acting Flight Sergeant S. McCINTYRE

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant I. G. BRIGHT FTRS

Warrant Officer A. P. S. KIDD

Flight Sergeant A. J. R. ALEXANDER

Corporal A. C. M. ROSS

Senior Aircraftman (Technician) L. J. ELLIOTT

Senior Aircraftman J. A. McWILLIAMS

Mrs J. ROWLAND

Team Commendation

6 Squadron Operation SHADER Engineering Rear Party Leadership Team

RAF Marham

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer M. G. INDER

Warrant Officer S. J. ROBINSON

Chief Technician J. M. GOTTS

CAS Commendation

Sergeant N. J. LINES FTRS

DComs' Commendation

Flight Sergeant M. E. ROBERTS

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Flight Sergeant C. L. NEWTON

Flight Sergeant T. NORMAN FTRS

Flight Sergeant J. M. O'CONNELL

Team Commendations

Royal Air Force Marham Air Traffic Control Squadron

Lightning Personnel Working Group

RAF Northolt

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer S. WOOLDRIDGE

Flight Sergeant G. LIVERSIDGE

AOC 2 Gp Commendation

Squadron Leader T. L. HOWELL

Sergeant G. A. LOFTUS FTRS

Ms P. HUNT

RAF Police

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer P. A. BROWN

Flight Sergeant L. A. DENTON

Flight Sergeant C. E. HALL

RAF Scampton

DComs' Commendation

Senior Aircraftman G. BARRASS

RAF Shawbury

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Major L. P. WOODHOUSE MBE

Flight Lieutenant R. J. HAIGH

Corporal M. S. HUDA

Mr D. TULLY-FEWTRELL

Team Commendation

SAOC Training Design Team

RAF Spadeadam

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Mr J. HUDSON

RAF St Mawgan

Meritorious Service Medal

Flight Sergeant D. J. KEANE

AOC 22 Gp Commendation

Sergeant P. STANSFIELD

RAF(U) Swanwick

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Flight Lieutenant S. BENSON

RAF Valley

DComs' Commendation

Sergeant A. E. KEMP

AOC 22 Gp Team Commendation

TRiM RAF Leeming

RAF Waddington

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer S. A. ELLIOTT

Warrant Officer A. N. THOMSON

Master Aircrew M. W. UTTING

Warrant Officer A. WOOLFORD

Master Aircrew K. S. YOUNG

CAS Commendation

Chief Technician S. P. HUGHES

Sergeant A. LILLEY

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Flight Sergeant R. J. BASSETT

Flight Sergeant D. D. HALLS

Chief Technician C. P. WESTOBY

Sergeant J. C. GALLEY

Team Commendations

P-8A POSEIDON Course Design Team

14 Squadron Sensor Operators

RAF Wittering

Meritorious Service Medal

Warrant Officer N. S. CULTER

CAS Commendation

Corporal P. J. HERRON

AOC 1 Gp Commendation

Flight Sergeant S. A. ACKLAND

AOC 38 Gp Commendation

Squadron Leader A. R. CLARKE

Flight Sergeant A. FOLEY FTRS

Sergeant R. S. CHAWLIA

Team Commendations

RAF Wittering STEM

HQ Air Cmd Physical Condition Survey Team

1 AMW - UK MAMS

RAF Wyton

DComs' Commendation

Acting Sergeant K. A. NORGATE

Congratulations and well done all

Congratulations to all recipients.

Interesting that if Wigston is not knighted in the QBH List in June or on some 'out of phase' award, he will be the first ACM for ages not to have been knighted and certainly the first CAS

Old Duffer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Duffer (Post 10346382)

I suspect that his and the other designate service chiefs will appear in the QBHL 19, along with the retiring service chiefs who usually get their knighthoods upgraded to GCB.

Congratulations to the NYHL 19 recipients.

Quote:

Group Captain Mark Robert FLEWIN

Nominative determinism?

CGS been in post for 6 months and only just got his K .

Team commendations, an innovation............?

Quote:

Originally Posted by middlesbrough (Post 10346509)

Team commendations, an innovation............?

Been happening for at least 10 years

And WTF is "ACOS Career & Talent Management"??

Could this be what used to be the Air Sec?

If I may borrow a phrase from m'learned BEags - wanquespeak!

I am somewhat boggled by various terminology and Command thingies, but then I have been out for about 25 years!

Anyway, I’m sure the recipients are both well deserved and pleased.

Seems to be many fewer Ks being given out on the military lists in recent years. 3* used to be solidly ‘in the zone’ for it but seemingly rare now, perhaps why CGS took and CAS will soon take post without it. I fancy it says something about how recent generations of very senior officers have been regarded by the Whitehall clique that decides upon these things.

Commendations not worth the paper they are printed on in the real world, OBE etc simply for getting promoted and pointless, often earned by others, the rest well done.

..

Great to see a few movers and shakers in the P-8A programme being recognised.

Quote:

Originally Posted by teeteringhead (Post 10346669)

And WTF is "ACOS Career & Talent Management"??

Could this be what used to be the Air Sec?

If I may borrow a phrase from m'learned BEags - wanquespeak!

It’s what we all know and love as Manning! Although we all know Manning doesn’t do career management, so it is some what if a misnomer. Not sure what their awards are for - upsetting the biggest number of people in one month perhaps?

Having had another look at the list I must say I’m slightly surprised that the RAF100 Parade Commander got nothing given the massively high profile nature of the event and the general opinion that it was a rather good parade. Especially when the likes of the St Athan RAF 100 Team got a commendation! Does rather serve to reinforce the slightly random nature of these things.

I agree with Melchett01 - Anne-Marie Houghton (nee Daw) did a great job and I'd like to see the Army try that on with TOTC one year (although the Kings Troop RHA has been lead by a female Major). Furthermore, there were some other bits of media in which she appeared and in my opinion, she did the RAF proud.

Perhaps her reward will appear in the form of a thick stripe in the near future.

I also thought that under the 'new' rules Nikki Thomas ought to have been a DSO not an OBE

Old Duffer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old-Duffer (Post 10348732)

You may be right about the promotion. However, I recall CAS’ comment about 10 years back that he was disappointed that more people weren’t put up for awards for excellence in the regular duties, and that they seemed to be focused on those who had done secondary duties, community work etc, which although notable was but one aspect. I felt quite smug as I had put my FS up for an award for just such excellence and he ended up with an MBE - the only one amongst all the secondary Duty, charity and sports based awards.

The question is if that is the intent, have those senior officers running the recognition boards in between the initial submissions and the final award been told that?

DSO vs OBE? The DSO is only available on the operational honours lists as it is a gallantry award relating to leadership in a specific operation (and is available to all ranks, in theory anyway). Awards on the Birthday and New Year lists are for non-operational matters, or the accumulation over time of meritorious achievements on operations; gallantry is specifically excluded, which is why peacetime bravery awards like AFCs and QCBAs only ever appear as addenda to the operational lists. An OBE can be awarded on either list and relates to meritorious rather than gallant service. So Gp Capt Thomas’s award is most likely for achievement over a span of time rather than a narrowly bounded set of operational activity. If you were referring to the rank criteria, CBE is ‘par’ for meritorious service by gp capts but as the list records her as “wg cdr, now gp capt” it’s evident that the award was earned in the lower rank where OBE is the going rate. There is flex to go up or down a level though, as you can see with Sqn Ldr Montenegro getting an OBE and a wg cdr getting a MBE.

The official view seems to be that excellence in primary duties is rewarded with a good annual report, not awards. To get something ‘just’ for doing your job there needs to be something that makes it ‘special’: acting in higher rank, coping with extremely adverse circumstances, etc etc. And of course your boss a) needs to care and b) needs to be able to write well! Those are probably the blockers for many deserving candidates.

The relative dearth of knighthoods for senior RAF officers in recent years is proof that “doing your job” is not sufficient for these awards any more. I agree that it’s a shame... we should be encouraging excellence in our primary duties instead of the extra flummery.

So is the AVM being awarded a CBE a bit of an anomaly then?

Thanks Easy Street for your summary.

My point, however, was that Thomas had effectively reformed a squadron and taken it to war and for her leadership etc a DSO was more appropriate than an OBE. We need not lose any sleep over it and suffice to say the officer has well earned her state award and her promotion to gp capt.

I had a smile however when I saw that the 'RAF 100 Torch' group had received recognition. During the ATC 75, the air training corps wing, where I help, produced a Torch which was designed and built within the Wg. It is a superb specimen and we have it still. The 'official' ATC75 torch by comparison was a complete load of ?><^&%$. Very much the same might be said about the RAF100 torch, which I was involved with at Alrewas. Simply, it did not reflect the best design and delivery of which the RAF is capable.

Sorry if that seems like 'sour grapes' - it's not meant to be.

O-D

Melchie,

Next up from CBE is a knighthood and as I mentioned they’re being increasingly tight with those, so CBE has to cover everything from gp capt upwards unless a K is warranted. However an AVM has to do a lot more than a gp capt for it to be considered ‘exceptional’ for their rank!

O-D,

My point is that a DSO recommendation specifically *has* to include acts of gallantry, so unless Gp Capt Thomas had undertaken airborne actions of the sort that might have earned a DFC or a Mention in Despatches, no amount of inspired leadership on her part could possibly have earned a DSO. Judging the by low number of DFCs and MiDs that have been awarded to fast jet crews on Op SHADER, it has to be inferred that most of their sorties do not include such activity. I happen to agree with you that that under-sells the achievements of the Tornado and Typhoon fleets but that’s how the system works today I’m afraid.

There is also the point that the award might not have been for operational leadership so much as leadership in general, hence why it isn’t on an operational list... and it’s often the time at home base that presents the most difficult leadership challenges!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy Street (Post 10348919)

Easy Street,

Thanks for the clarification. I have often wondered whether being at those elevated ranks makes it easier to carry out such K-earning duties, in the same way that the nature of recent operations made it ‘easier’ for RW crews to win DFCs etc (I use the term easy advisedly and in context - nothing easy about it at all in absolute terms). But if CBEs and Ks are for making a difference at a higher or national level, surely it is easier to argue such a case by virtue of the posts in the higher echelons of Defence and within Govt such ranks tend to occupy?

As it stands, I do happen to know the AVM in question. If I were to say that in spring 2015 when I last worked for him he was a plain old Gp Capt, to have hit second year AVM plus a CBE well inside 4 years does rather suggest an upward trajectory!

Melchett,
I completely agree that the nature of recent campaigns have provided significantly more peril and, therefore, opportunities to be recognised for gallantry, for RW crews. What I would add, however, is that given the number of DFCs, AFCs and MiDs awarded to RW crews from all the services on HERRICK it continues to amaze me that I can't recall a single award of a DSO to a Cdr JHF(A). Several of them flew combat sorties whilst in the chair, as well as being under the same threat of IDF attack as anyone else (not really the case for crews in Cyprus…), so, arguably, there should have been a handful awarded? There were certainly plenty being awarded to Lt Cols and above in the army. Almost astonishingly, I recall one being awarded to a Harrier Sqn Boss…….clearly a different command chain…..

Different command chain = bingo! The number of operational awards at each level is capped (the number adjusted for each list depending on what level of activity there has been) and awarding a DSO to a JHF(A) Cdr would have meant one less regimental CO getting one. Given that the sifting between those 2 alternatives would have been under the Land chain, you’ve answered your own question. The stray Harrier nomination would have arrived at the Joint board via the Air chain of command and would probably have been horse-traded into the final list in exchange for the Air commanders’ full support for all the other awards. It is that kind of process, sadly...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Easy Street (Post 10349012)

it is a slippery slope... capping/quotas of awards leading to all sorts of nonsense, politicising the process, ultimately devaluing it.

Whatever happened to examining a submission on its merits...

Quote:

Next up from CBE is a knighthood

Not quite Easy Street.

Within the Order yes, but a CB "outranks" a CBE; you will note that one AVM and one AM (both - ahem - rotary mates) got CBs to add to their CBEs in todays list.

Quote:

Originally Posted by NutLoose (Post 10346771)

Commendations not worth the paper they are printed on in the real world, OBE etc simply for getting promoted and pointless, often earned by others, the rest well done.

..

Other Buggers Efforts......Well named

Quote:

Originally Posted by Melchett01 (Post 10348707)

The parade took place after the submission deadlines for that particular round of honours. It's possible that she will be recognised in the next round.

Twon,

I very much hope you are right. As I opined elsewhere in this Thread, the officer did a great job - not just on the parade but in other aspects of the razmataz which surrounded the event.

Old Duffer

Quote:

The DSO is only available on the operational honours lists as it is a gallantry award relating to leadership in a specific operation (and is available to all ranks, in theory anyway)

As an aside does anyone have any info on what is the most junior rank in any service to have received a DSO in the modern era, which I define as post -1993 when the criteria were redefined? I once mounted a DSO group to a pilot officer who had pulled his wounded navigator from their sinking Beaufighter and had swum several miles to shore with him in tow. With the criteria now being 'highly successful command and leadership during active operations' I cant see anybody below field rank (or equivalent) getting this award now, let alone anyone from the non-commissioned ranks. As you say "in theory anyway"

TTN,

Capt JM Norman RM - awarded the DSO in 2008 for ops in Afghanistan.

MB

RM being traditionally regarded as ‘one rank above’, I assume, and thus conceptually Field rank.

TTN ... not sure where to ask, but ISTR you could only have 4 WW2 Campaign Stars? Any extras were bars to the first equivalent/geographic award. My Googling was ineffectual.

My curiousity was piqued with some TV Antiques thing this pm, where 5 were (sadly) being sold as part of a rack (all ribboned, but loose) in addition to other memorabilia which made over £1k.

Five Stars are fine - depending upon which ones they are. This is from the Gov Medals Website.

Quote:

Nine stars were issued for the campaigns of World War 2. The colours of the ribbons have symbolic significance and are believed to have been designed personally by King George VI. No more than 5 stars may be awarded to one person. Those who qualify for more are awarded a clasp with the title of one of the stars to which they qualify. The clasp is then attached to the ribbon of one of the other stars.

If you qualify for 2 or 3 of the Atlantic, Air Crew Europe and France and Germany stars, the first star earned is awarded. You will then receive a clasp with the title of the second star earned to be worn on the ribbon of the first. A third star or clasp will not be awarded in this case.

Thanks ... I was half-right!

Unusual to see 5 stars, and they didn’t show them long enough for me to ID them 100%. Spotted the North Africa and Italy, in addition to the France & Germany and 39-45, and another which I needed to refer back to but seemed to be the Burma. He got about a bit ... associated with Lord Mountbatten, which may explain a lot.

Owner was RN.

MPN11,

RM ranks were aligned with those of the army in 1999.

MB

One very well known recipient of five WW2 campaign stars is HRH Prince Phillip (1939-45, Atlantic, Africa, Burma (bar 'Pacific') and Italy). Groups with 5 stars are quite scarce, and more commonly found to Merchant Navy recipients than RN. With the introduction of the Arctic Star in recent years I assume there are 6 star groups around, although I haven't seen one

Thanks for the info on Captain Norman DSO, Mahogany Bomber.

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where 5 were (sadly) being sold ...

Why "sadly"? MPN? I had this throughout my time as a dealer in medals and militaria, with one retired Colonel Blimp type referring to "trafficking in medals"! Better that medals end up in the hands of enthusiastic collectors who appreciate what they have than they languish in the hands of relatives who often havent a clue what they represent.

Going to a different 'Thread Drift', I note that Jo Salter - the first female pilot operational on the Tornado, I believe - is photographed at the RAF Club wearing the mess kit and styled as 'Honorary Gp Capt'.

I can find no reference to the reasons for her appointment but would be interested to learn the background to this (fairly unusual) promotion/appointment.

Old Duffer