The excellence of
the Armed Forces and supporting civilians were recognised last
night at the second Sun Military Awards, organised by The Sun
newspaper in close association with the Ministry of Defence.
Their Royal Highnesses The Princes William and Henry of Wales
were guests of honour at the event held at the Imperial War
Museum, London, on Tuesday 15 December. They were joined by
military Chiefs, senior government and political figures, and
stars from the worlds of entertainment and sport to pay tribute to
these unique individuals.
In ten categories, the Awards, affectionately known as “The
Millies”, recognised the bravery and professionalism of Service
and civilian personnel working in today’s Armed Forces around the
world. They also celebrated members of the public who provide
unstinting support to the military in various ways.
In addition to the main categories there were two judges’ awards
for special recognition. One award was presented to the Joint
Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group, for their continual
professionalism on operations in exceptionally difficult
conditions. The Judges also paid tribute to the courage of all
family members who have been bereaved this year by recognising the
Afghan Heroes charity. Also known as “The Band of Mothers”, the
charity was set up by the mothers of eight Servicemen who died in
Afghanistan this summer during Operation Panther’s Claw.
Speaking about the awards, Air Chief Marshal Sir Jock Stirrup,
Chief of the Defence Staff said:
“This year has been another year of extraordinary achievement by
our Servicemen and Servicewomen. Whatever the task and whatever
the challenge, they do their duty: and they do it for us – the
people of this great nation.
The Sun Military Awards enable the nation to say thank you to our
brave men and women and to their families for their dedication,
courage and sacrifice. It means a huge amount to them to know that
the nation is behind them.”
The ceremony, including unique footage of shortlisted individuals
and teams on operations, plus reconstructions of the acts of
heroism that were nominated, will be televised on Monday 21
December at 9pm on ITV1.
SUN MILITARY AWARDS
2009 WINNERS
1. Overcoming Adversity
Marine Ben McBean, 40 Commando Royal
Marines, Plymouth, Devon
2. Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine
Able Seaman Medical
Assistant Kate Nesbitt MC, attached to 1st Battalion The Rifles,
Plymouth, Devon
3. Most Outstanding Soldier
Corporal Mark Powis MC, 1st
Battalion The Rifles, Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset
4. Most Outstanding Airman
Flight Lieutenant John Walmsley,
RAF Odiham, from Edinburgh
5. Best Reservist
Able
Seaman Edmund Grandison, HMS Forward, Royal Naval Reserve, from
Tyseley, Birmingham
6. Support to the Armed Forces
The town of Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire
7. Life Saver Award
Corporal Carl Thomas, 2nd Battalion The
Rifles, Liverpool
8. True Grit Home
Acting Chief Petty Officer David Rigg,
Royal Naval Air Service, Culdrose, Cornwall
9. True Grit Overseas
Sergeant Andrew McNulty, 2nd Battalion
The Mercian Regiment,
Catterick, North Yorkshire
10. Best Unit
The 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, Ballykinler,
Northern Ireland
11. Judges’ Award for Special Recognition
Joint Force
Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group
Afghan Heroes
Notes to Editors:
1. The Sun Military Awards were open to military or civilian
members of the Armed Forces, either on an individual or team
basis.
2. Shortlisted individuals and teams were chosen from more than
1,000 nominations in 10 categories, submitted by members of the
public and the Armed Forces. Alongside the main categories there
was the Judge’s Award for Special Recognition. This was awarded by
the judging panel to two candidates who did not win in their
category, but who the judges nonetheless felt were equally
outstanding in their fields and deserved recognition.
3. The celebrity judging panel for the 2009 Sun Military Awards
were:
• General The Lord Guthrie, Chief of the Defence Staff
1997-2001
• Admiral Lord West, First Sea Lord 2002-2006 and
currently Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Security and
Counter-terrorism, The Home Office
• General Sir Mike Jackson,
Chief of the General Staff 2003-2006
• Air Chief Marshal Sir
Peter Squire, Chief of the Air Staff 2000-2003
• John Terry,
England Football Team Captain
• Martin Johnson, England Rugby
Team Manager
• Andy McNab, writer and former member of the
SAS
• Ross Kemp, actor and journalist
• Dame Kelly Holmes,
Olympic Gold Medallist
• Sally Thorneloe, widow of Lieutenant
Colonel Rupert Thorneloe
• Tom Newton-Dunn, Political Editor,
The Sun
• Myleene Klass, singer, broadcaster and daughter of a
Royal Navy Serviceman
4. The awards were launched on 31 July and nominations closed on
14 September. www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/HistoryAndHonour/TheSunMilliesReturnToHonourServicePersonnel.htm
5. For further information contact Vicky Beacon, Defence PR and
Events, 020 7218 6162, vicky.beacon625@mod.uk or
Tom Callagher, 020 7218 0341, tom.callagher880@mod.uk
Contacts:
Ministry of Defence
NDS.MOD@coi.gsi.gov.uk