Navy News
Direct from the front-line, the official newspaper of the Royal Navy, Navy News, brings you the latest news, features and award winning photos every month.
Naval personnel recognised in New Year’s Honours List 2019
28 December 2018
A diver who responded to more than 700 call-outs and the Royal Navy’s most senior photographer are among 23 men and women from the Senior Service recognised in this year’s New Year Honours list.
Portsmouth-based Petty Officer Diver Darren Carvell said he was proud to have received an MBE for his work in various diving roles. He has been dealt with more than 700 incidents in his 16 years as a diver.
He joined the navy in 1996 and transferred to the diving branch in 2002 as a clearance diver. He then spent time at the search and rescue school in Culdrose before transferring to the Southern Diving Unit 1 in Plymouth – his home town.
PO Carvell is now an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operator for the Southern Diving Unit 2 team in Portsmouth. The 40-year-old said: “I am deeply honoured and immensely proud to have received the MBE.
“It is on behalf of the team because all of the work I have done has been part of a team.”
He added: “My family were really excited when I told them and there were a few tears. It is just a real honour.”
I feel honoured to have been nominated and receive such an award and will wear it proudly for my whole family, who have stood by me throughout my career.
Meanwhile, Warrant Officer 1st Class Nathan ‘Scooby’ Dua from Lowestoft received the Meritorious Service Medal.
Originally joining the Royal Navy in 1986 as a marine engineer, he discovered a passion for photography while on deployment in the Falklands on HMS Diomede and transferred to the Portsmouth-based Photographic Branch in 1991. The branch is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2019.
Since then, his talents have been employed covering every aspect of Royal Navy life, including capturing imagery of campaigns and conflicts such as Kosovo and Operation Telic in Iraq.
The 48-year-old said: “I feel honoured to have been nominated and receive such an award and will wear it proudly for my whole family, who have stood by me throughout my career.
“The one thing I learned early about being a Royal Navy Photographer is they are probably they only people in the service that get to see and experience everything the navy has to offer.
“My best operational highlight would have to be Kosovo where both my military and photographic training had to combine seamlessly to enable me to produce the imagery required while also staying safe.”
The head of the Submarine Service, Rear Admiral John Weale, is made a Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB) for his work as the ‘face’ of the Royal Navy in Scotland and Northern Ireland and his dedication to the Silent Service.
He has served on nuclear and conventional diesel-powered submarines, including command of hunter-killer HMS Trafalgar, before leading the training and assessment of HMS Astute’s entry into service.
“I am humbled to be awarded this honour for my service as the face of the Royal Navy in Scotland and head of the Submarine Service.
“It has been my immense privilege to serve and lead the silent service who, with the unfailing support of their families, work tirelessly to protect the United Kingdom.”
Rear Admiral Paul Methven, Director Submarine Acquisition at the Submarine Delivery Agency, is also made a CB while Vice Admiral Clive Johnstone, Commander at NATO Maritime Command Headquarters, is made Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (KBE).
Commander Neil Lamont was one of six naval service personnel to be made OBE – an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
He joined the Submarine Service in 1989 and served on all classes of submarines before being selected for the Submarine Command Course in 2004. After a role in career management, he was promoted and selected for SSBN Command in 2015.
He is currently the Commanding Officer of nuclear deterrent submarine HMS Vengeance (Starboard). Cdr Lamont said: “I am delighted to be receiving this award following one of the most challenging and rewarding jobs I have ever done.
“This award is a reflection of the operational success that HMS Vengeance (Stbd) has achieved and continues to achieve as we enter the 50th year of Continuous At Sea Deterrent.
“Of course none of this is possible without the unseen support of our families who are just as deserving of recognition as the men and women that go to sea.”
THE LIST OF RECIPIENTS IN FULL
PROMOTIONS IN AND APPOINTMENTS TO THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST HONOURABLE ORDER OF THE BATH
As Companion (CB)
Rear Admiral Paul Methven – Director Submarine Acquisition at Submarine Delivery Agency.
Rear Admiral John Weale OBE – Assistant Chief of Naval Staff Submarines and Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Island
APPOINTMENTS TO THE MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MOST EXCELLENT ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE
As Knights (KBE)
Vice Admiral Clive Johnstone CB CBE
As Commanders (CBE)
Rear Admiral Paul Chivers OBE
Brigadier Rory Copinger-Symes RM
Commodore Mike Walliker OBE
As Officers (OBE)
Commodore David Bartlett
Commodore Tim Henry
Commander Neil Lamont
Captain Jason Poole
Colonel Mark Totten RM MBE
Captain Ken Whitfield RN
As Members (MBE)
Lieutenant Phill Blight
Petty Officer (Diver) Darren Carvell
Major Steven Cotton RM
Warrant Officer 1st Class Douglas Davitt RM
Lieutenant Commander Caroline Dix
Lieutenant Commander Claire Lees
Commander Mark Lister
Commander Steve Mardlin
Major Anthony Milne RM
Captain Ryan Morris RM
Warrant Officer 1st Class Warfare Specialist (Underwater Warfare) David Smith
ORDER OF THE BRITISH EMPIRE, CIVILIAN
As Officers (OBE)
Mrs Jane Elizabeth Burrows, for services to the Royal Navy
As Members (MBE)
Mrs Lorraine Coulton, for services to the Royal Navy