New Year’s Honours list revealed

Homeland January 7, 2020

The New Year’s Honours list has revealed the names of staff from the Navy, RAF, and Army due to be given prestigious awards.

The New Year’s Honours list for 2020 has named a number of personnel across the ranks of the MOD to be awarded by the government. Awardees have spoken about the recognition and received congratulations from senior government figures. Staff from senior positions have been named as well as soldiers, marines, and volunteers. The honours to be awarded include:

Military Service Medal (MSM)
Royal Red Cross (RRC)
Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE)
Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE)
Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE)
Knight Commander of the Order of Bath (KCB).

General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSCO ADC Gen said: “Congratulations to all those that have been recognised for their excellent contributions, we are privileged to have such hard working, committed personnel working at Strategic Command.”

Among the Royal Navy staff including long-standing personnel who have contributed to search and rescue, rehabilitation, and morale were named. Warrant Officer 1^st Class Steve Thorpe played a large role in the search for missing submarine ARA San Juan in Argentina in 2017.

Warrant Officer Thorpe said: “There’s a fundamental pride in being a submariner – it’s a unique job in a unique environment. I am immensely proud to be receiving the MBE.”

“Despite the sad outcome and the loss of 44 submariners in the San Juan, it was an unforgettable experience.”

“The Argentine military and people were welcome – and appreciative of the assistance offered. There’s a mutual respect between submariners whatever the nation, a common bond so you understand what your counterparts or their families are going through.”

Strategic Command Personnel named in the honours list include Royal Air Force Wing Commander M Stow, Royal Navy Lieutenant Commander A Spike, and British Army Lieutenant Colonel S Stevenson. Veterans are also named, including 94-year-old Harry Billinge who raised over £10,000 for a memorial in honour those who died in Normandy. Another veteran listed is Dr Jonathan Leach, who helped to create 600 surgeries to support former personnel. The oldest person named is 99-year-old Wilf Oldham who fought in the battle of Arnhem.

From the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), Dr Norman Govan is to be awarded an OBE after 20 years of service. Dr Govan is known for his expertise in the decontamination of chemical weapons. He was central to the development of strategies to safely handle hazardous agents and played a large role in the aftermath of the Salisbury attack. Dr Govan said: “I am truly humbled by this award. I was immensely proud of what the recovery team achieved getting Salisbury and Amesbury back to normal. I had the privilege to work alongside some really incredible people during the operation and I am delighted to accept this on their behalf.”

Overall, 113 MOD personnel were named. Awards are also set to be given to a number of prominent NHS staff, including researchers. The list was published on December 27 in the London Gazette ahead of 2020. The British Army has credited the ‘commitment, selflessness, and compassion’ of those named. The awards are given in honour of work done in the arts, sciences, government, humanitarian work, and charity.

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Defence New Year’s Honours list