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.