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Royal Navy aviators mark 15 years of creating Christmas singles
12 December 2025
Two Royal Navy aviators have released their latest Christmas song 15 years on from their first festive single written in the deserts of Afghanistan.
Fleet Air Arm Observers, Lieutenant Commanders Phil Clark and Dave Emery, began their musical exploits in 2009 and together with their band Little Red Ambulance have today released their latest hit called ‘Christmas Eve’.
Raising money for charity, the song is their third collaboration with Culdrose Military Wives Choir. It explores the emotional toll of operational deployments during the festive period – a theme particularly poignant as Dave will be on duty protecting UK waters over the Christmas period.
‘Christmas Eve’ tells the story of a Royal Navy sailor making it home just in time for Christmas, a feeling many in the naval community know all too well and a sentiment that resonates with anyone who has experienced separation from loved ones.
All proceeds will support Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), which provides lifelong support to Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel.
The charity funds everything from crisis grants and mental health support to adventurous training and family welfare services, ensuring the naval community receives help when they need it most.
Little Red Ambulance said: “We’re buzzing to be teaming up with RNRMC again. The Royal Navy community has been such a massive source of inspiration for our music over the years, and this new track feels extra special.
“Christmas Eve is all about that moment of coming home – something so many service families understand as well as anyone. We just hope people love it as much as we loved making it.”
Christmas Eve is all about that moment of coming home — something so many service families understand as well as anyone.
Vice Admiral Paul Beattie, Second Sea Lord, added: “Little Red Ambulance and the Culdrose Military Wives Choir have captured something truly special. Christmas Eve is a wonderful example of the spirit, talent and sense of duty which runs through our Royal Navy family.
“The band’s support of our charity, Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity speaks volumes, and I’m immensely proud of what they’ve created. I hope the nation embraces this song as warmly as our community has.”
The Little Red Ambulance story began by chance when Phil and Dave met for the first time just 24 hours before deploying together to Helmand Province on Operation Herrick.
Both brought guitars, and outside their daily flying duties at Camp Bastion, they used music to relax and entertain colleagues. A chance introduction with BFBS Radio DJ Dave Simon led to their supporting his radio show and performing a series of live sets across the base, including entertaining colleagues on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.
Facilitated by BFBS, they recorded their first collaborative song in the Camp Bastion radio studio.
A year later, in 2010, the pair—now joined by three of Dave’s school friends Lloyd Warlow, Ben Jones and Adam Rosser —officially recorded and released ‘Maybe This Christmas!’ in support of Help for Heroes.
This marked the beginning of an annual tradition: reuniting each year to record an original Christmas song around their demanding full-time military careers.
This Christmas sees the release of ‘Christmas Eve’ which features a stunning duet with Chloe Walter, who is married to another RNAS Culdrose sailor, and focuses on the themes of separation and reunion during the festive period.
Drawing on their own 2021 experiences, the band wrote about the emotional challenges faced by service personnel and families during the recent eight-month Carrier Strike Group deployment.
Alice Farrow, from RNRMC, added: “We absolutely love working with Little Red Ambulance. Their creativity, humour, and genuine affection for the naval community shine through in everything they do.
“‘Christmas Eve’ captures that powerful moment of reunion that so many of our families dream of each year, and we’re incredibly grateful they’ve once again chosen to support Royal Navy & Royal Marines Charity with this release.”
To purchase Christmas Eve and support RNRMC, visit https://ffm.bio/lra