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‘One of life’s best’: Tributes to outstanding aviator Amy
22 July 2025
Outstanding. Amazing. Caring. Inspiration. Trusted. Beloved.
Just some of the words used to describe naval aviator Commander Amy Gilmore who has died after a hard-fought battle with cancer.
The Fleet Air Arm community will celebrate and honour the life of the hugely-popular Wildcat helicopter observer/warfare officer today in Yeovilton, Somerset, where Amy spent the bulk of her career.
“Commander Amy Gilmore was an outstanding naval officer and an amazing person who was greatly admired across RNAS Yeovilton, the Fleet Air Arm and the Royal Navy,” said Captain Duncan Thomas, Commanding Officer of RNAS Yeovilton.
“She was one of life’s best, always willing to go the extra mile to lookout for others. She will always be remembered. Our thoughts are with her family and close friends at this difficult time.”
His deputy, Commander Colin Kiernan, described Amy as “a truly amazing woman, legend, caring, loving, funny, honest and a fine Naval officer. She delivered on operations and in everything she committed to. Her fortitude and strength in adversity was simply unparalleled. One can only aspire to be as good as her and we will miss her greatly.”
And Amy’s friend and colleague Commander Anna Misiak, who works at the Navy’s headquarters in Portsmouth, said that the aviator had “inspired everyone who was lucky enough to work and know her".
She continued: “A trusted colleague, and beloved friend, she loved the Royal Navy and her selfless commitment to her work coupled with a wonderful sense of humour and a genuine love for her team epitomised her career.
“She will be desperately missed by so many but her legacy will continue with the development of her last project, The Lookout, to support the RNAS Yeovilton community.”
Amy joined the Royal Navy in September 2002 as a University Cadet Entrant, graduating from Oxford University four years later.
She began her career as a warfare officer in frigate HMS Iron Duke and aircraft carrier HMS Ark Royal before transferring to the Fleet Air Arm to become an observer – navigator/sensors and weapons specialist – initially on Lynx helicopters and then their successors, the Wildcat.
The pinnacle of her flying career came in response to double hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean in 2017.
The then lieutenant received a Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service for her efforts in leading her flight in delivering humanitarian aid to the islands and a daring rescue of one adult and two children from a capsized boat.
There was further recognition through the award of the MBE for Amy’s work ensuring the success of introducing the Future Anti-Surface Guided Weapon – known as Martlet – into service with the Wildcat.
She returned to her warfare roots as operations officer of flagship HMS Queen Elizabeth where as well as her professionalism, she earned a reputation for consistently going the extra mile to help her fellow officers and sailors.
Away from work, she loved time with her husband Steve, also a naval officer, and the couple’s dog, Shackleton, and embraced the sporting opportunities Service life offered, especially mountain climbing, cycling and skiing.
"Our family have always known how much Amy loved her career in the Royal Navy, not just achieving every challenge she set her mind to, but also fulfilling her tremendous sense of purpose and making countless great friendships along the way,” Steve said.
“Throughout Amy's tough five-year battle against cancer, the Royal Navy has stood by us and looked after both of us phenomenally well and I know Amy was as grateful for that as I am.
"Her true grit and passion for sport were shown when on her final day of radiotherapy she signed up for Ironman Estonia post initial diagnosis and remission with breast cancer, raising money for breast cancer charities."
Amy died peacefully and with dignity on July 12 after a fierce and determined fight with cancer.
Following a service of thanksgiving for her life at Sherborne Abbey, Amy will be buried in the cemetery at St Bartholomew’s, the Fleet Air Arm Memorial Church in Yeovilton.
The interment will be accompanied by the Last Post, minute’s silence, a gun salute and a fly past by her colleagues in the Wildcat Maritime Force.