King’s New Year Honours 2024: Armed Forces Heroes Get the Royal Nod
Over 180 members of the UK Armed Forces and Defence Civil Servants have bagged top state honours from His Majesty The King in the 2024 New Year Honours list. The awards celebrate exceptional service protecting national security, from organising King Charles’ Coronation to managing cutting-edge Defence tech.
Defence’s Finest Lauded for Bravery and Innovation
The Prime Minister hailed the courage of our military forces deployed worldwide, including missions in the Middle East and Estonia under NATO’s banner. These honours spotlight the determination and expertise of personnel keeping Britain safe.
Defence Secretary Grant Shapps praised the recipients, saying:
“I want to congratulate all our Defence personnel who have been named in this year’s New Year Honours. As the world becomes more dangerous and Defence’s global commitments have increased, you have all risen to the challenge through your selflessness, resilience, and ingenuity. You showcase the very best our nation has to offer, and it is only right that your exceptional acts of service have been recognised.”
For the full roster of honoured Defence workers, visit the official government site.
Key Royal Navy Honours
- Knight Commander of the Bath: Lt. Gen. Robert Andrew Magowan, CB, CBE
- Companions: Rear Admiral Andrew Betton, OBE; Rear Admiral James David Morley
- Commander Appointments: Commodore Stephen David Roberts
- Officers: Commanders Trefor Morgan Fox, Christopher Robert Hollingworth, Lucy Jane Ottley, Ian Hayden Richardson, Jamie Duncan Wells; Colonel Andrew Glenn David Lock; Captain Allan Thomas Youp
- Members: Commander Steven Andrews; Lt. Cmdr. Ross Donald Balfour; Warrant Officers and others recognised for outstanding service
- King’s Volunteer Reserves Medal: Warrant Officer 2 Michael Rudall, Royal Marines Reserve
Army Stars Shine Bright
- Dame Commander of the Bath: Lt. Gen. Sharon Patricia Moffat Nesmith
- Companions of the Bath: Major Generals Kevin Mark Copsey, John Robert Mead
- Commanders of the British Empire: Brigadier Vivienne Wendy Buck; Major General Julian Buczacki; Brigadier Matthew Timothy Cansdale, MBE; Major General Darren Howard Crook; Colonels Lucy Margaret Giles, Michael Robert Smith
- Officers and Members: Numerous Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels, Majors, Captains, Sergeants, and other ranks from regular and reserve units honoured for outstanding dedication and leadership
- Royal Red Cross, Second Class: Staff Sergeant Natalie Dawn Davies; Majors Adam Gordon Hughes and Jennifer Elizabeth Jackson, TD, VR
- King’s Volunteer Reserves Medal recipients include: Captain Carl Goymer, VR; Major Adrian Thomas Hunt, DL, VR; Warrant Officers Shane Julian Marriott, Denis McKee; Major Dawn Marie Saunders, VR
Royal Air Force Honours
- Companion of the Bath: Air Vice-Marshal Nigel James Colman, OBE
The 2024 New Year Honours shine a well-deserved spotlight on the bravery, commitment, and innovation of the UK’s military and civilian defence teams. These heroes embody the nation’s strength and resilience as global challenges grow ever tougher.
