A Marine Engineering Officer from a Type 45 destroyer is among the Royal Navy recipients in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List.
Lieutenant Commander Nathan Geddes is made an MBE for his time serving on HMS Defender, including during the Carrier Strike Group deployment.
The 40-year-old was the Type 45 destroyer’s Marine Engineer Officer, working on the ship during her global operations.
The citation highlighted Lt Cdr Geddes’ efforts while Defender was in the Black Sea and had to outmanoeuvre hostile forces. The “positive impact of his professionalism, dynamic and inspiring leadership has been felt across UK Defence,” it added.
And for Nathan, receiving his MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours during her Platinum Jubilee added to his pride.
“I feel overwhelmed to be recognised like this and I am absolutely thrilled,” he said.
“To receive this honour during the Jubilee year makes it extra special. My family and friends will be so proud. They have sacrificed so much.
“I left home at 16 to join the Royal Navy as an Artificer Apprentice and it’s been an amazing adventure.
“The support of my family, wife Nicole and son throughout has been unbelievable and I feel extremely lucky to have them.”
Leading HMS Defender’s marine engineering department on her operations, including during the UK Carrier Strike Group’s maiden operational deployment, had its challenges but has been a standout moment for Nathan in his Royal Navy career.
Last year, the Type 45 played a key role in the ring of steel around HMS Queen Elizabeth and was vital in ensuring the task group’s safety against air threats. The deployment took the ship and its sailors to the Pacific and back in a period the citation said was “in the face of considerable operational constraints, and under acute political spotlight”.
Lt Cdr Geddes, from Scunthorpe but now living in Portsmouth, added: “My time in HMS Defender was the highlight of my career so far.
“During my tenure as Marine Engineering Officer the highlights were being deployed in the Middle East during heightened tension and then the following year as part of the UK Carrier Strike Group. Also, the period operating disaggregated in the Black Sea.
“I was fortunate enough to have the most loyal, professional and capable department who were able to provide an exceptionally high level of availability to the Operational Commander.”
He is among 23 personnel to be honoured in the list, which includes Commander Maritime Reserves, Commodore Mel Robinson, who has been made a CBE.
Joining the Royal Navy in 1993, she was one of the first women to go to sea and the first female to command a Royal Navy Warship.
Cdre Robinson is also the first woman to command a fighting arm supporting the Fleet.
With a comprehensive long-term vision of how the Maritime Reserves should be configured, she has led a generational change in its direction and management.
The architect of the transformation of the Maritime Reserves at every level, her leadership has formed a Reserve force that is a credible, relevant, effective, and agile fighting arm of the Royal Navy delivering critical Defence tasks alongside Regular colleagues.
Rear Admiral Simon Asquith, now Director Submarines, is made a Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath for his contribution to Joint and Navy operations over three decades.
Director Strategy and Policy, Rear Admiral Iain Lower is also made a CB for his leadership during his 30-year career in the Royal Navy. He has strengthened key relationships nationally and internationally, and set the conditions for Royal Navy transformation and the future strategic agenda.
OBEs have been awarded to:
Colonel Alistair Carns for his vital contribution to the understanding of hostile state actors’ activity against the UK’s maritime capability.
Commander Simon Cox, for his work as Commander 2nd Mine Countermeasures Squadron.
Commander Paul Jamieson, commanding officer HMS Talent.
Captain Graham Lovatt, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff Operations, Permanent Joint Headquarters, for the roles he played in events including Lebanon, Iraq and Ukraine.
Commodore Andrew Rose, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff for Joint Plans, Permanent Joint Headquarters, for his work including the Carrier Strike Group deployment.
The following personnel are made MBEs:
Warrant Officer 1 Logistician (Catering Services) Jason Bignell, for his work in limiting the spread of Covid-19 at HMS Drake in Devon.
Lieutenant Commander Richard Burns, for his work in developing and delivering the MyNavy mobile application for Royal Navy personnel.
Lieutenant Commander Jonathan Fletcher, for his leadership as Commanding Officer 2nd Mine Countermeasures Squadron, Crew 8.
Commander Michael Forrester, for overseeing the maintenance period of an Astute-class submarine at HMNB Clyde.
Lieutenant Commander Amy Gilmore, now Operations Officer aboard HMS Queen Elizabeth, for her work in helping deliver the return of the UK’s global carrier strike operations, and to the future of the Wildcat Force.
Warrant Officer 1 Amanda Knight, for her work as military liaison officer at Staffordshire County Council during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Lieutenant Commander Steven Lovatt, for overseeing HMS Dauntless’s Power Improvement Project.
Lieutenant Colonel Jon Ridley for his contribution to the Royal Marines Band Service.
Commander Nicola Wallace, senior aircraft engineer and deputy continuing airworthiness manager, Commando Helicopter Force.
Lieutenant Commander Simon Henderson, Lieutenant Thomas Horton, and Lieutenant Commander Nicholas Stratton
A Royal Red Cross award is bestowed on Lieutenant Frederick Miller of Queen Alexandra’s Royal Navy Nursing Service. He is made an Ordinary Association of The Royal Red Cross, Second Class, for his work as nursing leader and advisor to Command Logistics Regiment. He made telling contributions during four consecutive winter deployments in the High North.
Warrant Officer 1 Andrew Walker, of the Royal Naval Reserve, receives the Queen’s Voluntary Reserve Medal for contributing to the success of the Royal Naval Reserve Command Leadership and Management Team.
The following personnel receive the Meritorious Service Medal:
WO1AET SKC Barnett; WO2 S Barrett; CPOET(WESM) MJ Bayliss; WO1 DR Buckley; WO2 M Cunningham; WO1WS(AWT) SJM Dalton; WO1AET M Dickinson; WO1(MA) K Donnelly; WO2 CM Goodridge; WO1 CS Gratton; WO1ET(WE) DA Horler; WO1ET(WE) S Howlett; WO2ET(WESM) JD Kilbey; CPO(MW) J Morton; WO1 MJ O’Sullivan; CPO(AET)(M) T Othen; WO2ET(MESM) SL Shorthouse; WO2(D) GW Spence; WO1AET AJ Swash; CPOLOG(SC) A Thompson; WO2 C Waite; WO2 JL Walker; WO1ET(WE) SJ Webster; WO2 JL Wilson; WO1ET(WE) D Wollington; WO1 JJ L Wright.
QPJ
