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Awards recognise often overlooked work by Royal Navy's crucial support fleet
1 April 2026
The often overlooked, crucial work of the Royal Navy’s crucial support arm, the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, was today celebrated at its awards ceremony in London.
The RFA often plays second fiddle to the warships and sailors Royal Navy – yet without the former, the latter could do very little around the world.
Royal Navy ships rely on the RFA for food, supplies, fuel, aviation support, medical assistance, ammunition, and assistance with amphibious operations.
And the RFA frequently steps up to perform front-line duties, such as support mine warfare operations, serving as a springboard for anti-submarine operations in the Atlantic, drug busting in the Caribbean, and disaster relief when needed.
After a hiatus of a few years, and thanks to the support of the Royal Navy’s principal charity, the RNRMC, the RFA’s awards have been re-established.
Winners – when not deployed on duty – were invited to HMS President, the Royal Navy’s base near Tower Bridge, for a ceremony to celebrate their and the wider service’s achievements following an introductory speech from TV documentary maker/author Chris Terrill, who’s also an ambassador for the RNRMC.
Tanker RFA Tidespring was singled out for two titles: best overall performance for her preparations (especially gunnery/combat scenarios) whilst preparing to support last year’s Carrier Strike Group deployment to the Indo-Pacific region…
… and RFA ‘ship of the year’ for her accomplishments on that mission: the 35,000 cubic metres of fuel she provided during 79 replenishment operations at sea were fundamental to sustaining the task group at sea for extended periods.
“This award is for all personnel who were embarked in Tidespring throughout this period and I send my congratulations to them all, and thank them for their dedication and professionalism for successfully completing a FOST training package while also engaged in task group operations in support of the Carrier Strike Group,” said Chief Officer (X) James Willcox.The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is more than a flotilla; it is a family. These awards celebrate that family, recognising our people, our RFA personnel supported by their families, our civil servants, and all those who give so much, day after day, often far from home and far from the headlines
Tidespring’s sister ship RFA Tideforce received the John Coles Memorial Trophy for her performance undergoing training to support the beginning and closing stages of the same carrier deployment.
The award was particularly poignant for Captain Christopher Clarke RFA, who knew John back in the 80s.
“He would genuinely have been impressed by the focus, energy, great humour and sense of perspective displayed by all on Tideforce during 2025 – young and old, juniors and seniors and our incredible trainees – all pulling in the same direction together to better themselves, their departments and the ship more generally. This trophy is for them,” Capt Clarke added.
3rd Officer John Brogan was named the best of the new generation of cadets joining the Service having shone throughout his training. Praised for his “enthusiasm, determination, and disciplined approach” he served as a role model for his contemporaries.
“I am delighted and very honoured to accept this award,” John said. “I would like to thank all those who have assisted me in my cadetship. I have had excellent experiences of the RFA so far and look forward to continuing my future career at sea.”
Assistant Chef Kelly Menhenitt from Northamptonshire, who is currently serving meals daily to the crew of RFA Lyme Bay in the eastern Mediterranean, is one of 15 sailors and supporting civil servants to receive a commendation from the head of the Service, Commodore Sam Shattock RFA (it was collected on her behalf).
He told everyone present that her title underscored the essence of both the awards and the wider RFA.
“The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is more than a flotilla; it is a family. These awards celebrate that family, recognising our people, our RFA personnel supported by their families, our civil servants, and all those who give so much, day after day, often far from home and far from the headlines.”
Kelly was singled out for her efforts on a previous deployment on the amphibious support shop – and her willingness to get stuck into duties outside her comfort zone in the galley such as joining the firefighting team and health and safety rep.
“I just want to say a huge thank you for nominating me and for this award. I’m truly honoured and incredibly grateful, not only to have been considered but to be one of the winners,” she said.
“It means so much to know that my hard work has been noticed and appreciated. This recognition really does mean the world to me, and I’m so thankful to everyone involved.
“Thank you again – it’s something I’ll be very proud of.”