A Royal Marine who embodies what it means to serve in the Corps has been commended for his actions by the most senior Royal Marine.
Commandant General, General Gwyn Jenkins, awarded the multitalented Corporal Jack Crawford the Royal Marine of the Year Award for 2023 at the MOD’s Main Building in London.
Cpl Crawford, who serves with 353 Troop training team at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, stood out during a very difficult sifting process of 14 Royal Marines who have excelled across the year and throughout their careers.
Jack – who has been a Royal Marine for ten years – “epitomised the Corps’ values of excellent, integrity, self-discipline and humility” after producing the Combat Communicators course for both Commando Duties Marines and Landing Craftsmen in 47 Commando.
Jack also maximises his lived experience in the Royal Marines by volunteering for every opportunity.
Most recently he participated in a ski march finishing at the Matterhorn, Switzerland and finished 2nd of 174 overall in a joint USMC / UK shooting competition.
During the Normandy Commemorations in June 23, Cpl Crawford was used as the interpreter on 47 Commando’s visit to Port-en-Bessin.
In perfect French, he fluently translated all VIP speeches to a majority French audience throughout the high-profile, five-day trip which thoroughly enhanced the reputation of the Corps in preparation for the 80th D-Day anniversary next year.
Jack competes for Great Britain in individual precision rifle shooting and is also the chairman of the sport, organising GB individual precision shooting events and is in the process of establishing the sport as a recognised discipline within the Royal Marines.
Jack and his wife, Isobel, who he lives in Plymouth with, visited the Commandant General and the Corps Regimental Sergeant Major in MOD Main Building along with other separate award winners and was presented his citation in person.
Cpl Crawford said: “I do not feel worthy of this accolade and there are many others more deserving of it.”
The Royal Marines of the Year award was established in 2020 to recognise the exceptional work of one Royal Marine in particular who has shone in the past year and has most personified what it means to be a Commando. It is sponsored by Honorary RNR Captain Keith Knowles.
As part of his award, Cpl Crawford wins a Bremont Royal Marines watch and will have a preferential draft in his next assignment.
Previous Royal Marine of the Year winners:
2020: Marine Jack Duer, 43 Cdo FPGRM.
2021: Corporal Matthew Speedie, 45 Cdo.
2022: LCpl Niall Jefford, 40 Cdo.
