Military Affilates Prizegiving - 8 June 2026
The full citations for the six winners at our Military Affiliates Prizegiving held at Trinity House on Monday 8 June 2026 can be read below.
ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY
The Husband Rose Bowl
CHIEF OFFICER JED BOWER
Over the past twelve months, Chief Officer Bower has undertaken two assignments as Executive Officer to RFA TIDESURGE (TSUR), during which he has consistently demonstrated exceptional professionalism, leadership and technical expertise within the maritime fuels discipline.
While deployed on operations, he exercised assured oversight of cargo control and fuel husbandry, ensuring that the vessel’s primary mission systems were consistently delivered and sustained to the highest standards. His knowledgeable and diligent management significantly contributed to the safe, effective and compliant conduct of all fuel operations.
Chief Officer Bower’s contribution became particularly significant during preparations for Refit Package 2026. Through strong project management skills and unwavering dedication to his profession, he ensured that the ship entered refit not only fully prepared, but in the best possible material and administrative condition to enable effective regeneration on completion. His foresight and attention to detail materially reduced risk and set the conditions for future operational success.
Equally noteworthy was his focus on people development and the promotion of a strong safety culture. He ensured that all deck officers were meaningfully engaged in inspection and assurance activities, deliberately building experience and competence through careful mentoring across the department. This approach significantly enhanced health and safety awareness and departmental resilience, skills which will endure with these individuals throughout their careers.
Chief Officer Bower’s performance throughout this period has been exceptional. As a direct result of his hard work and leadership, RFA TIDESURGE is measurably stronger and more capable. His sustained contribution represents excellence in fuel management, leadership and professional standards, and he is thoroughly deserving of recognition by the Worshipful Company of Fuellers.
Nominated Charity: [TBC]
HMS SULTAN / ROYAL NAVY AIR ENGINEERING AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT SCHOOL (RNAESS)
Daedalus Trophy
AIRCRAFT ENGINEERING TECHNICIAN LEWIS PREECE
AET Lewis Preece is an outstanding member of the Royal Navy Air Engineering and Survival Equipment School whose contribution to the School, the Service, and the wider community consistently exceeds expectation. Driven by a genuine commitment to people, values, and the Royal Navy, he regularly gives his own time in service of others.
Beyond his primary duties, AET Preece devotes significant personal time to supporting and developing others. Through his voluntary work with TS Hornet Sea Cadets, he instructs, mentors and inspires young people several evenings each week, instilling discipline, confidence and Royal Navy ethos. He also contributes to the HMS SULTAN Steam Wagon, giving up his time to maintain equipment used for engagement events that strengthen links with the community. Within the workplace, he is proactive and reliable, volunteering to support other departments, contributing to the SULSTEMIC Committee, leading flight safety initiatives, and undertaking a Foundation Degree in Aerospace Engineering in his own time. His participation in the Nijmegen Marches further highlights his resilience and dedication.
As the RNAESS Charity Rep, he plays an active role in organising fundraising initiatives. His work with the Kitbag Group, supporting veterans living with Alzheimer’s and dementia, demonstrated exceptional empathy and maturity; naturally engaging, he enabled veterans to reconnect with their service experiences.
Positive, selfless and grounded, AET Preece exemplifies the highest standards of service. His dedication to others, without expectation of reward, makes him a truly deserving recipient of this year’s Fuellers’ Prize.
Nominated Charity: Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH)
152 (NORTH IRISH) REGIMENT, ROYAL LOGISTIC CORPS
The Woods Trophy
SERGEANT STUART McLEAN
Sergeant Stuart McLean is the Permanent Staff Instructor of the Petroleum Squadron in 152 (North Irish) Regiment, the Royal Logistic Corps. Since assuming his post, he has demonstrated exemplary dedication, exceptional leadership, and unwavering professionalism. His contributions have significantly enhanced his Regiment’s operational capabilities and reputation, reflecting great credit on himself, his Corps, and his trade as an Army Petroleum Operator.
At the forefront of showcasing the Army’s petroleum capability in Northern Ireland, Sergeant McLean played a vital role in orchestrating activity to inform senior military and civilian stakeholders of the full scope of Army petroleum operations. His expert knowledge and clear communication of the Joint Operational Fuel System and Primary Bulk Fuel Installation deepened understanding of these complex capabilities and strengthened confidence in his Regiment’s operational effectiveness.
With trademark initiative and strategic foresight, Sergeant McLean has driven the advancement of training standards. His innovative approach and expert guidance have modernised instructional delivery and led to the successful establishment of the Army Reserve Class One course within the Regiment – a landmark achievement that enhances operational assurance and capability development for the Army Reserve.
Beyond this, Sergeant McLean has been instrumental in strengthening ties between Regular and Reserve Petroleum Operators across the Army. His efforts have directly improved operational readiness, cohesion, and resilience in his specialised trade.
For his boundless energy, steadfast commitment, significant impact, and outstanding leadership, Sergeant McLean is a thoroughly deserving recipient of this prestigious award.
Nominated charity: The Not Forgotten Association
10 SQUADRON RAF
FLIGHT SERGEANT BECKY EDWARDS
Flight Sergeant Edwards, of the Voyager Force Training Flight, has made a significant contribution to the success of the Voyager Force in delivering global operations. During this period, she demonstrated outstanding professionalism, leadership, and personal commitment in both her operational duties and her support to others.
Operating consistently above rank, Edwards assumed responsibility as Voyager’s Chief Cabin Crew Instructor, ensuring the Cabin Crew cadre across all ranks maintained essential training, qualifications, and operational currency at a time when the Force was operating at capacity. She successfully managed her own team of instructors alongside critical training outputs, while willingly absorbing a substantial additional workload. Despite these responsibilities, she continued to directly support operational commitments, contributing to Operation HIGHMAST, the Royal Navy’s flagship deployment to the Indo Pacific.
Alongside these duties, Edwards selflessly provided sustained pastoral support to a fellow Service member whose wife had received an end of life cancer diagnosis, and to his immediate family, including their children. She delivered consistent out of hours care to ensure the family never felt isolated during an intensely distressing period. Her empathy, discretion, and constant availability provided vital emotional support to both her colleague and his family. She organised activities for the children to provide moments of normality, coordinated Squadron collections and gifts, and assisted with sensitive practical matters, including funeral arrangements, with dignity and care.
Through her operational contribution, training excellence, and unwavering professionalism at a colleague’s time of greatest need, Flight Sergeant Becky Edwards exemplifies the highest values of 10 Squadron and the Royal Air Force.
Nominated charity: Sobell House Hospice
TACTICAL SUPPLY WING – TSW
SERGEANT CRAIG SMITH
As the Tactical Supply Wing Detachment Commander during a recent Operation, Sergeant Smith demonstrated exemplary command of a 12-strong team delivering critical aircraft refuelling support to military helicopters operating in Jordan and the UK’s Sovereign Base Area in Cyprus, as part of the UK Defence response to the US–Iran conflict.
Operating in a high-threat, austere environment, he expertly established and managed a Forward Refuelling Point, ensuring sustained tactical aviation fuel capability that directly enabled continuous flying operations. His proactive planning and decisive leadership facilitated the rapid deployment of personnel and assets, maintaining operational readiness in a dynamic and challenging operational environment.
Sergeant Smith’s management of high-value equipment, vehicles, and weapon systems, alongside his effective leadership of a dispersed workforce across two countries, maintained team morale and maximised operational effectiveness. Prior to a period of Extremely High Readiness and the subsequent Operational deployment, Sergeant Smith ensured that his Team were at the pinnacle of training and expertise in deployed fuel and military skills, realigning this training phase to UK Defence exercises to best achieve a realistic scenario with the units that his Team would support on operations. His collaborative engagement with Defence stakeholders was therefore instrumental in shaping robust operational contingency plans aligned with UK Defence priorities in the Broader Middle East; delivered at pace.
Through technical expertise, outstanding leadership, and exceptional management, Sergeant Smith’s contributions were essential in delivering critical aviation fuel support, significantly enhancing mission success and advancing UK Defence objectives.
Nominated charity: Katharine House Hospice
OPERATIONAL ENERGY AUTHORITY
KATIE FOSTER
Katie Foster is the Defence Fuels Technical Authority manager for aviation products within the MOD’s Operational Energy Authority.
She delivers 24/7 support to Defence personnel worldwide and is the single point of focus for all technical enquiries. She delivers safety critical advice directly linked to airworthiness across the UK Armed Forces aviation assets. Her advice supports bulk fuels and oils and lubricants products for both fixed wing and rotary aircraft, and lately an increase in support to the new drone fleet. Any failure to maintain these approvals and standards risks compromising aircraft safety, operational effectiveness, and airworthiness certification, making this a business-critical role. Her technical guidance is always accurate, timely and supportive, enabling deployed personnel to quickly resolve their issues. She represents the MOD internationally at both the NATO and Five Eyes technical working groups on aviation products and is the custodian of DEFSTAN 91-091, the UK and European Defence and industry standard for aviation fuel.
She has held the role since last summer and, from the off, has had to cope with a workforce gap in the position of her deputy due to civil service recruiting restrictions. Her commitment, determination and willingness to maintain support across Defence has meant that she has put in extra hours to ensure that no enquiry goes unanswered and that responses are swift. Katie’s commitment, professional approach and technical delivery have made her performance stand out this year across the Operational Energy Authority. As such she is worthy of recognition by the Worshipful Company of Fuellers.
Nominated Charity: [TBC]
THE FUELLERS’ CHARITABLE TRUST PRIZE FOR PETROLEUM OPERATORS OF THE BRITISH ARMY
PRIVATE PARVEER TIWANA
Private Parveer Tiwana demonstrated an exceptional grasp of the theoretical principles underpinning the Petroleum Operator trade, consistently applying his knowledge with confidence and precision throughout the course. His ability to critically engage with complex concepts and effectively translate theory into practical solutions set him apart as the most technically competent trainee in his cohort.
During Exercise FIRST BUILD, Pte Tiwana showcased his detailed understanding of DBFI systems by proactively addressing challenges and delivering practical, effective solutions. His professionalism, technical expertise, and commitment to excellence highlight his outstanding potential and make him a most deserving candidate for this recognition.
CHARLES STEPHENSON CLARKE PRIZE 2026
LARISA PETROKOVA : [subject]
Aranya Bhaduri ARANYA BHADURI : [subect]
PLATANOS COLLEGE
Harrison Cup 2024 – for Outstanding Contribution to Platanos and the Community
NICOLE LEANOS MOSQUERA
Nicole has been awarded the Fuellers Trust Harrison Cup in recognition of her outstanding contributions, dedication, and achievements whilst at Platanos College.
As a school prefect, Nicole consistently models exceptional leadership. She is a fantastic ambassador for the college who proactively steps forward to support all major school events. A deeply valued member of our community, Nicole has contributed significantly to school life both inside and outside the classroom.
She has led Form Group assemblies on multiple occasions, frequently served as an announcer at school concerts, and shared her talents by performing with the school choir. Notably, she also represented the college with great poise by reciting a poem during our Remembrance Day ceremony and has shared her voice with the wider community by writing articles for the school newsletter.
In addition to her civic and creative contributions, Nicole has excelled in extracurricular sports, representing the college on the basketball team and reliably officiating and keeping score for school games.
Her commitment to her academic studies is equally exemplary; she approaches her learning with a constant desire to improve and excel. Nicole truly embodies the core values of Platanos College. She is invariably cheerful, polite, and considerate of others—frequently putting the needs of her peers ahead of her own.
Nicole is a thoroughly deserving winner of the Harrison Cup. Her outstanding dedication and rich contributions continue to leave a lasting mark on the Platanos school community, and we have no doubt that her success will flourish throughout Year 11 and for many years to come.