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Divers’ bravery to deal with massive WW2 bomb in Plymouth recognised by The King
13 June 2025
Two divers who safely dealt with a WW2 bomb which brought much of Plymouth to a standstill lead Royal Navy personnel honoured by The King.
Petty Officers Craig Maddock and Paul Cartwright showed both bravery and cool heads when a wartime bomb was unearthed in the Keyham district of Plymouth in February 2024.
They have been singled out for bravery awards in Operational Honours announced jointly with His Majesty’s Birthday Honours.
In all, 32 sailors and Royal Marines have been decorated for deeds and commitment on the front line, to the safety and security of the UK, and to charity.
Petty Officers Maddock and Cartwright from Plymouth-based Bravo Diving Unit 1 were among hundreds of military personnel involved in the massive operation to neutralise a 500kg bomb found in a garden in Keyham.
Unearthing the bomb made national news – and caused widespread disruption due to its location in the middle of a densely-packed residential area.
PO Maddock first removed a large amount of earth and concrete by hand and limited tools to access the explosive device, accurately identified the fuses in very challenging conditions and, when the bomb was moved to safe area for transfer to a boat for disposal, he led the task to de-sensitise the two live fuses and with the device throughout to stabilise it and coordinate the extremely complex evolution.
His colleague PO Cartwright volunteered to load and drive the extremely dangerous bomb through the city, planning the route to the Torpoint ferry slipway and preparing the vehicle to take it there meticulously.
The bomb was subsequently safely detonated in Plymouth Sound.
Both divers put the safety of the public before their own lives and demonstrated exemplary bravery throughout.
PO Cartwright, who is awarded the King’s Commendation for Bravery, said: “The entire operation to defuse and move the bomb from St Michael Avenue in Keyham was a team effort, which saw every member of Bravo Diving Unit 1 work around the clock for three days to achieve the best outcome possible for the local community.
“Whilst I am extremely honoured – and humbled – to receive this award, my contribution to the operation was no more valuable than that of all the military personnel and first responders that week.
“The most important thing is that the people of Keyham were able to go back to their homes once we had completed the operation.”
His colleague PO Maddock earns the King’s Gallantry Medal for his actions – although like his colleague he ascribes the successful operation to a collective effort.
“What was achieved that week was only possible because of the tireless professionalism, calm determination and teamwork shown by everyone involved,” PO Maddock said.
“The divers of Bravo Diving Unit 1, alongside emergency services and military partners, worked shoulder to shoulder under immense pressure to ensure the safety of the public. I couldn’t be prouder to have been part of such an outstanding team effort.”
And the driving force behind the HMS Oardacious fundraising campaign to raise money for - and awareness of – mental health, especially to the benefit of the submariner community, Lieutenant Commander Hugo Mitchell-Heggs, is made an MBE. Oardacious has seen several RN teams row the Atlantic since its inception in 2018 – and raised more than £1m for naval/Royal Marine charities.
Hugo said: I’m deeply honoured by this recognition which reflects not one person’s work but a shared commitment to improving the lives of others.
“I’m proud to have stood alongside so many remarkable people working to make the Royal Navy community stronger, kinder and more human. From submarines to ocean rowing crossings, it’s been a privilege to explore how resilience and community can shape something truly powerful!”The entire operation to defuse and move the bomb from St Michael Avenue in Keyham was a team effort, which saw every member of Bravo Diving Unit 1 work around the clock for three days to achieve the best outcome possible for the local community
The full list of Naval Service personnel honoured
His Majesty’s Birthday Honours
Companion in the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (CB)
- Rear Admiral Steve McCarthy
- Rear Admiral Rob Pedre
Commander in the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE)
- Commodore Paul Dunn OBE
- Commodore Phil Game
- Commodore Tim Green ADC
Officer in the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE)
- Commander Jon Browett
- Commander Christopher ‘Titch’ Evans
- Lieutenant Colonel Paul ‘Fitz’ Fitzpatrick
- Captain Polly Hatchard
- Lieutenant Colonel Liam Metcalfe RM
- Captain Eugene Morgan OBE RD
- Lieutenant Colonel Alex Pounds RM
Member of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE)
- Surgeon Commander Matthew Osborne
- Lieutenant Commander Will Barker
- Major Lewis Bodycote RM
- Chief Petty Officer (Air Engineering Technician) Rhys Dyas
- Commander Danny Glover
- Warrant Officer 1 Rob Govier
- Warrant Officer 1 Air Engineering Technician (Mechanical) Mark Hart
- Commander Carla Higgins
- Warrant Offocer 1 Robin McColl
- Lieutenant Commander Hugo Mitchell-Heggs
- Major Lee Stewart RM
- Commander James Tibbitts
- Chief Petty Officer (Air Engineering Technician) Robert Warnett
- Chief Petty Officer (Warfare Specialist) Michael Watson
King’s Volunteer Reserve Medal (KVRM)
- Warrant Officer 1 Logistician (Supply Chain) Samantha Martin VR
Operational Honours
King’s Gallantry Medal
- Leading Logistician (Catering Services) David La Croix
- Petty Officer (Diver) Craig Maddock
King’s Commendation for Bravery
- Petty Officer (Diver) Paul Cartwright
King’s Commendation for Valuable Service
- Warrant Officer 2 Engineering Technician Michael Barker
- Lieutenant Commander Matt Johnson
Meritorious Service Medal
- Chief Petty Officer Air Engineering Technician (M) M J Bailey
- Chief Petty Officer Warfare Specialist (SSM) D A Broadfoot
- Warrant Officer 1 (Medical Assistant) M L Carron
- Warrant Officer 1 (Exec) D P Claridge
- Warrant Officer 1 P J Collacott
- Warrant Officer 1 A R Davies
- Chief Petty Officer (Police) A L Drake
- Warrant 1 (Exec) G A Head
- Chief Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) E A Howard
- Warrant Officer 1 Logistician (Writer) T C Jones
- Warrant Officer 1 J Low
- Warrant Officer 2 D J Maytum
- Warrant Officer 1 Logistician (Catering Services) G M Mee
- Warrant Officer 2 Logistician (Catering Services) A Millar
- Chief Petty Officer Air Engineering Technician (Avionics) L Osman
- Warrant Officer 1 Naval Airman (Aircraft Controller) N A Phillips
- Warrant Officer 1 Logistician (Supply Chain) D A Rutherford
- Chief Petty Officer (Diver) J E J Smith
- Warrant Officer 1 (Exec) D Sullivan
- Warrant Officer 1 Medical Technician C J Wilson
- Warrant Officer 1 (Communications Technician) K Wyche
Joint Commander’s Commendation
- Chief Petty Officer Warfare Specialist (Abovewater Warfare Weapons) A A Brown
- Chief Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineering)(CIS) H N Chenery
- Leading Logistician (Supply Chain) O G Clark
- Lieutenant Commander L J Duke
- Chief Petty Officer Warfare Specialist (Abovewater Weapons Tactical) M Gibson
- Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Communications and Information Systems) O J Halliwell
- Lieutenant Commander M J Harris
- Lieutenant Commander M J Hawkins
- Petty Officer Logistician (Catering Services) S D Hopkins
- Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineering) D J W Kirsopp
- Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) A C McAllister
- Petty Officer Warfare Specialist (Underwater Warfare) J L Pearson
- Lieutenant Commander B Preston
- Lieutenant Commander R C Sawyer
- Petty Officer Logistician (Supply Chain) S M Window
Joint Commander’s Team Commendation
- N2 Team United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander
First Sea Lord’s Commendation
- Warrant Officer 1 G Bennett
- Chief Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineering) M Craib
- Chief Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Communication and Information System) G Ellis VR
- Major W Grounsell Royal Marines
- Major J Poole Royal Marines
- Band Sergeant K Silk
- Commander D Starkey Royal Navy
- Lieutenant Commander K Wansbury Royal Australian Navy
- Chief Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) L Williams
- Lieutenant Commander W Zealey Royal Navy
First Sea Lord’s Team Commendations
- Diving & Threat Exploitation Group - Bravo Diving Unit 1 Plymouth
- Above Water Warfare Team - Operational Advantage Centre
- Primary Mechanical Section – HMS Vanguard
Royal Navy Commendations
- Lieutenant Commander C Boaden Royal Navy
- Mr K Douch
- Commander A Forsyth Royal Navy
- Able Seaman (Seaman) S Hird
- Leading Seaman (Mine Warfare) Z Hine
- Sub Lieutenant B Illsley Royal Navy
- Leading Seaman (Seaman) D S Jeffers
- Medical Assistant J Jenkins
- Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineering Submarines) A J Mullen
- Leading (Physical Trainer) J G Munden
- Flight Lieutenant M Parsons Royal Air Force
- Lieutenant Commander A E RobertsRoyal Navy
- Chaplain P J Stoddart Royal Navy
- Chief Petty Officer (Seaman) D Whittaker
- Warrant Officer 2 (Mine Warfare) P M Wilson
Royal Navy Team Commendations
- Navigation Section - HMS Vigilant (Port)
- M3 Group - HMS Dauntless
- CTF320 Team - Maritime Operations Centre
- OAC Lessons Cell – Operational Advantage Centre
Chief of Joint Operations Commendation
- Lieutenant Commander A Collings
Chief of the General Staff Commendation
- Leading Diver R J Allan
Commander UK SJC Commendation
- Petty Officer Air Engineering Technician (Avionics) D J Carney
- Lieutenant S C Gorniak
Vice Chief of Defence Staff Commendation
- Lieutenant M Burgoyne
- Lieutenant K T Gill Warrant Officer 1
- Logistician (Writer) N Sweet
Air and Space Commander Commendation
- Lieutenant Commander M P Anelli
Commander JAC Commendations:
- Ms C Brown
- Leading Logistician (Writer) R T M Dickson
- Naval Airman (Aircraft Handler) T P Humphries
- Lieutenant A G Hyde RN
- Chief Petty Officer (Air Engineering Technician) S Johnson Corporal B C Main
- Petty Officer Aircrewman H C Nielsen-Timms
- Petty Officer Logistician (Writer) W C Rumsey
Commander JAC Team Commendations:
- Merlin Forward Support Unit
- Occurrence Safety Investigation Team
- Medical Team - Commando Helicopter Force