Bravery and compassion recognised in latest Awards list

From Mali to Estonia, from the UK to Afghanistan, the latest Operational Awards List 57 celebrates the work of British soldiers across the globe with 16 personnel selected for recognition in the list, published today. Troops deployed on Operation Pitting are cited for their outstanding bravery and saving lives, as British nationals and Afghans fled Afghanistan last summer when the Taliban regained power.

A stand-out trio of personnel are being recognised in the latest list. Read their stories here

Mention in Despatches

Colchester-based Private Ahmad Fahim and Corporal Daniel Hoyland, both of 3rd Battalion the Parachute Regiment (3 PARA), receive a Mention in Despatches (MiD). The men were cited for their roles in the Evacuee Handling Centre at Kabul airport during which time, as thousands of people were desperately trying to flee, a suicide bomb detonated killing dozens including US troops.

Private Fahim’s citation said he “showed outstanding selfless bravery and commitment.” On learning of his award, Pte Fahim said: “I feel really proud, from where I’ve come, to be getting this. I never expected it. I’m feeling happy and overwhelmed at the same time.”

Corporal Hoyland said, “I didn’t expect to receive this award. It feels really good. I thought I was just getting a ‘well done’ from my Commanding Officer.” His citation said, “Without hesitation he searched for explosive devices and, undeterred by the carnage, began to triage the injured and direct medical assistance to those most in need.”

Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service

Also receiving recognition for his role on Operation Pitting at the Evacuee Handling Centre, Corporal Jamie Found, of 2 PARA receives a Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS). His citation said he revealed himself above the crowd whilst nervy and tense Taliban fighters observed from feet away, as he and those he was commanding tried to prevent people from being crushed as they surged towards the Evacuee Handling Centre.

“It’s a privilege,” said Corporal Found. “I feel honoured that I’ve been nominated to stand out from everyone else who I was working alongside out there.”

Read the Paratroopers stories here

Staff Sergeant Andrea Pearson, Royal Logistic Corps, also receives the QCVS. She was cited as a Movement Controller and is being recognised for her expertise and attention to detail during the drawdown of equipment from Afghanistan last summer.

On learning of her awards, she said: “It’s amazing. I was so surprised. I’ve previously received commendations but not at that level. It’s so reassuring to get thanked for the work you’ve done.”

Order of the British Empire

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Robinson, of the Light Dragoons, who planned and led the first deployment of a Long Range Reconnaissance Group (LRRG) to Mali, as part of the UN mission in the country, will be made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). He said: “Looking back on what we managed to achieve in a short period, and the successes of the following two rotations, I think the entire Recce Group has got an enormous amount to be proud of.”

Joint Commander’s Commendation

Captain Sophie Kennedy, Royal Artillery, is currently working in the Army Communications branch. She is being awarded a Joint Commander’s Commendation (JCC) for providing an outstanding service whilst employed as a media officer for the NATO enhanced Forward Presence in Estonia. She said: “This job was one of the highlights of my Army career and so to be recognised for my work was great, although unexpected.

“I particularly enjoyed working alongside our media colleagues in the Estonian Defence Force. Their professionalism and humour were outstanding, and they were key to enabling all of our activity in Estonia,” she said.

The Army List

Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)

Lieutenant Colonel David Christopher MIDDLETON, The Parachute Regiment

Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Rupert Mark ROBINSON, The Light Dragoons

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)

Warrant Officer Class 2 Daniel James BRYCELAND, Corps of Royal Engineers

Major Stephen Geoffrey WHITE, The Parachute Regiment

Warrant Officer Class 2 Thomas Anthony WHITEHEAD, Intelligence Corps

Mention in Despatches (MiD) 

Private Ahmad FAHIM, The Parachute Regiment

Corporal Daniel Matthew HOYLAND, The Parachute Regiment

Queen’s Commendation for Bravery (QCB)

Private Lewis Bradley O’CONNOR, The Parachute Regiment

Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS)

Corporal Jamie Lee FOUND, The Parachute Regiment

Captain Helene Lucie GLEIZES, Intelligence Corps

Major Hugo Peter HENDERSON, Royal Army Medical Corps

Lieutenant Colonel William Thomas Hindle HUNT, The Parachute Regiment

Lieutenant Colonel Chloe O’BRIEN, The Royal Logistic Corps

Staff Sergeant Andrea PEARSON, The Royal Logistic Corps

Captain James Nicholas ROBSON, The Parachute Regiment

Queen’s Commendation for Bravery (QCB) – Non-Operational

Captain Lucy Elizabeth RUSSELL, The Royal Logistic Corps

Joint Commander’s Commendations (JCC) 

In addition to the state awards published in the Gazette, the Chief of Joint Operations (CJO) awards Joint Commander’s Commendations (JCC) for operations and endeavours across the globe, including:

Lance Corporal M Bayntun, Scots Guards

Corporal U Bhujel, Royal Corps of Signals

Captain J Boyce, Royal Logistics Corps

Major C Brindley, The Yorkshire Regiment

Sergeant C Britzman, The Royal Logistic Corps

Sergeant M Cardin, Adjutant General’s Corps

Lieutenant Colonel R Castro, Corps of Royal Engineers

Sergeant A J Cox, Corps of Royal and Mechanical Engineers

Warrant Officer Class 1 A N Crampton, Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Private K Dandie, Royal Army Medical Corps

Corporal (Now Sgt) P V T Dip, Royal Corps of Signals

Captain L Diprose, The Royal Logistic Corps

Major K Dodgson, The Royal Logistic Corps

Colonel P Driver, General Staff

Captain G Edwards, Educational and Training Services Branch

Captain J Gamble, The Royal Irish Regiment

Captain T Glasspool, The Queen’s Royal Hussars

Colour Sergeant J Glen, Scots Guards

Sergeant M Green, The Royal Logistic Corps

Staff Sergeant R A Ham, Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Lance Corporal J Hamer, Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Warrant Officer Class 2 S W Hardy, Corps of Royal Engineers

Captain A C G Jell, The Parachute Regiment

Sergeant O M Jenkinson, Royal Army Medical Corps

Lance Corporal A S Johnson, The Royal Logistic Corps

Staff Sergeant B J Jolley, Royal Corps of Signals

Captain S E Kennedy, Royal Regiment of Artillery

Private L Kinnersley, The Yorkshire Regiment

Staff Sergeant R Leonce, The Royal Logistic Corps

Corporal D McKenzie, The Royal Lancers

Major C Morris, Royal Army Medical Corps

Lance Corporal G A Murray, Adjutant General’s Corps (SPS)

Captain A M Nunkoosing, The Parachute Regiment

Lieutenant Colonel J Pattinson, The Royal Logistic Corps

Lance Corporal (now Corporal) B Rai, Royal Gurkha Rifles

Corporal S Rai, Royal Corps of Signals

Staff Sergeant A Ramcharan, The Royal Logistic Corps

Captain T R Reynolds, The Parachute Regiment

Lance Corporal (Now A/Cpl) S T Scott, Royal Army Medical Corps

Staff Sergeant R Serbert, The Royal Logistic Corps

Captain L J Merrett (formerly Sharples), Adjutant General’s Corps (ETS)

Staff Sergeant A D B Sidney, Royal Corps of Signals

Corporal D Simmons, Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Sergeant R Smith, The Corps of Royal Engineers

Lance Corporal E J Taylor, Royal Army Medical Corps

Captain P J Tigwell, Royal Regiment of Artillery

Warrant Officer Class 2 (now WO1) J A Timperley, The Mercian Regiment

Major C R Whitehead, The Royal Lancers

Captain J Wilkinson, Intelligence Corps

Warrant Officer Class 1 L R Wilson, Royal Regiment of Artillery

Lieutenant Colonel J Winfield, Royal Army Medical Corps  

The Armed Forces Operational Awards List Number 57 is published in the London Gazette at 0001hrs 13 May 2022. It includes awards in respect of worldwide operations for the period from 1 April 2021-30 September 2021.