WILKINSON SWORD OF PEACE AWARDS - 2000

13 Aug 2001 12:00 AM

Defence Minister, Adam Ingram, announced today the winners of the Wilkinson Sword of Peace awards for 2000. The single Service winners and the winner of the Special Award are:

Royal Navy Sword of Peace RFA FORT GEORGE Army Sword of Peace 7 Company Coldstream Guards Royal Air Force Sword of Peace RFA Lyneham Special Award 22 Field Hospital

In announcing the winners, Adam Ingram said:

''I am absolutely delighted to announce the winners of the Wilkinson Sword of Peace awards for 2000. The awards reflect the diversity as well as the enormous effort and energy the Armed Forces have put in to an exceptionally busy year. The winners have much to be proud of. Not only have they maintained the highest traditions of their Service but their efforts have proved the unique place the Armed Services occupy as a force for good both in our society but also around the world where they continue to be held in the highest regard.''

RFA FORT GEORGE is awarded the Sword for the outstanding level of commitment and ingenuity the Ship''s Company, and embarked personnel from 820 Naval Air Squadron, displayed during the valuable and highly successful operation to provide aid to the people of Mozambique during the floods of March 2000.

7 Company Coldstream Guards is awarded the Sword for the great professionalism, initiative and generous spirit they displayed in providing humanitarian assistance to the people of San Pedro and Caye Kaulker, Belize, after Hurricane Keith caused widespread damage in September 2000.

Royal Air Force Lyneham is awarded the Sword for their continued efforts to promote the good name of the RAF throughout 2000, and through their involvement in a wide variety of projects that have helped maintain and cultivate links with the local community and under-developed areas of the world. This includes supporting an orphanage in Romania and a child-care center in Kenya.

22 Field Hospital is awarded the Sword for their management of the field hospitals in Bosnia and Kosovo throughout 2000. The hospitals provide facilities for UK service personnel, UN forces, NGOs and the local population. In addition an active and varied education programme has significantly improved the image of foreign military personnel and created good communications between humanitarian aid agencies, local medical staff and the population as a whole.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

1. The single Service awards are presented by Messers Wilkinson Sword Limited to the unit of each of the three Services which is judged to have made the most valuable contribution towards establishing good and friendly relations with the inhabitants of any community at home or overseas.

2. The Special Award has been made since 1994 to the Joint Service or ad hoc grouping formed for a special operation which has similarly made the most valuable contribution to establishing good and friendly relations with the inhabitants of any community at home or overseas.

3. Presentation plans have yet to be determined but they will be publicised when available. It is likely that Min(AF) will present 22 Field Hospital with their award on Fri 7 Dec; this is subject to confirmation nearer the time.

4. The full citations are available from the personnel below and a link on the UK Defence Today web page. For further information, please contact the following personnel:

a. Adrian Hallchurch at CINCFLEET on 01923 837190 for enquiries on RFA FORT GEORGE

b. Lt Col Peter Dick-Peter of HQ London District on 020 7414 2396 for enquiries on 7 Company Coldstream Guards

c. Flt Lt Tom Draper at RAF Lyneham on 01249 890381 ext 6608 for enquiries on RAF Lyneham

d. Lt Col Gerald Dineley of the Defence Medical Services on 01252 340312 for enquiries on 22 Field Hospital.

e. More general enquiries may be put to Paul Sykes at the Defence Press Office on 020 7218 3257.

5. The MoD web-site can be found at http://www.mod.uk. It provides a link to our on-line news service, UK Defence Today, which also be accessed directly at http://www.news.mod.uk. Alternatively you may contact the MoD Press Office by e-mail at press@dgics.mod.uk.