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Pink prince – Navy flagship’s F-35 squadron shows solidarity with cancer sufferers
14 October 2025
She may be battleship grey, but there’s a tint of pink on the UK’s flagship this month as crew of HMS Prince of Wales join the fight against breast cancer.
Thanks to the enterprising efforts of 809 Naval Air Squadron – the Fleet Air Arm’s sole F-35B Lightning formation – more than £1,150 has been raised in three days as many of their 1,600 shipmates aboard the carrier, currently visiting Goa, snapped up unique mementos.
Typically a pink ribbon is the symbol of breast cancer awareness, but it’s neither practical nor safe to wear on a military uniform on a working aircraft carrier.
Instead, 809 NAS Petty Officer Emma Dell-Elsey and the squadron’s ‘memorabilia committee’, which was set up as a fundraising vehicle for good causes through bespoke gifts, plumped for a custom-made ‘pink patch’, designed by Air Engineering Technician James Grant.
The project was given extra impetus when Emma learned of the tragic fate of Commander Amy Gilmore earlier this year, her flight commander when Emma maintained the Wildcat helicopter.
“She was a powerhouse of a woman – so inspirational and kind,” said the senior rating. “To learn she was losing her battle with this evil disease, after such a long and brave fight, only provided a further catalyst to me to see this project through to completion.”
Worn on the left sleeve of a uniform by personnel, the entire production run was snapped up by personnel (due to lead times, it will be impossible to re-stock while the flagship is deployed).
“I really think what 809 NAS have done has inspired a lot of people and shifted mood and morale too and has allowed people to think and reflect,” said Leading Hand Nicole Gildert, one of the carrier’s police officers.
The compassion, support and empathy that our sailors, soldiers, marines, and air-specialists have for charity work and those less fortunate than themselves, continues to be inspirational.
809 NAS – known as The Immortals – is one of two front-line F-35B squadrons embarked on the carrier for her Operation Highmast deployment alongside the RAF’s 617 Sqn The Dambusters. Each is split roughly down the middle: 50 per cent Royal Navy personnel, 50 per cent RAF.
“Each and every one of us have experienced our own trials and tribulations and seeing people wearing the pink patch highlights just how close knit of a community we are and that there’s this network of support always at hand and I think that’s really special,” said a Royal Air Force pilot on 809 NAS.
“The compassion, support and empathy that our sailors, soldiers, marines, and air-specialists have for charity work and those less fortunate than themselves, continues to be inspirational,” said the carrier’s second in command, Commander Tom Leonard.
“Petty Officer Dell-Elsey and the Memorabilia Committee have drummed up support from all of the Carrier Strike Group elements and it is cracking to see ‘pink patches’ across the ship to highlight breast cancer awareness month, especially when it has affected so many of us or our loved ones. Well done to the Immortals!”