Military Affilates Prizegiving - 9 June 2025
The full citations for the six winners at our Military Affiliates Prizegiving held at Trinity House on Monday 9 June 2025 can be read below.
ROYAL FLEET AUXILIARY
The Husband Rose Bowl
SECOND OFFICER JAMES WILLCOX
Chief Officer WILLCOX joined RFA TIDESPRING (TSGP) in the early stages of her Contractor Support Period (CSP) to prepare the Ship prior to Operation Highmast deployment. The CSP was an intense period of maintenance and capability upgrades which required careful management whilst the Ships Company remained onboard. As the Ships Executive Officer and second in-command, WILLCOX was instrumental in his leadership of the Ships Company and contractors to deliver 11 capability upgrades and a maintenance package of circa 1000 items, many of which covered the tanker and replenishment systems. Additionally, due to the high-profile nature of the pending operation, WILLCOX supported three VIP visits to TSPG including that of the Prime Minster.
On completion of the CSP, WILLCOX demonstrated his excellence as a liquid cargo officer. His intricate knowledge of the product tanker cargo system enabled him to plan and execute a complex sequence of tanker evolutions. WILLCOX’s innovation and planning enabled the tank cleaning, cargo system flushing, fuel testing and loading of 2 grades of cargo in just six days, a significant saving against the 10-14 normally programmed. This enabled TIDESPRING to maintain her generation programme and continue unabated. WILLCOX’s careful management, dedication, skills and experience have resulted in the Ship being ready for her next operational task and his efforts are to be recognised.
Nominated Charity: The Seafarers’ Charity
HMS SULTAN / ROYAL NAVY AIR ENGINEERING AND SURVIVAL EQUIPMENT SCHOOL (RNAESS)
Daedalus Trophy
WARRANT OFFICER CLASS 2 PAUL WIGNELL
Warrant Officer Class 2 Paul Wignell exemplifies the highest standards of the Royal Navy through his tireless dedication and unwavering commitment to the Royal Naval Air Engineering and Survival School (RNAESS), HMS Sultan and the wider military community. His proactive pursuit of opportunities to support others through multiple charitable causes reflects a deep sense of duty, compassion, and community spirit.
WO2 Wignell has consistently integrated charitable outreach into his professional life with remarkable grace and purpose. His regular visits to Cessac House in Alverstoke, a residential building operated by the Church of England Soldiers’, Sailors’ and Airmen Housing Association, have brought joy, companionship, and a sense of belonging to veterans in sheltered accommodation. These monthly gatherings have become cherished events, fostering intergenerational bonds and mutual respect.
His involvement with Royal British Legion dementia support meetings further highlights his empathetic leadership. Drawing from personal experience, he has not only supported veterans and their families but also raised awareness of critical services such as Admiral Nurse support, connecting others to life-changing resources through informed advocacy.
WO2 Wignell also dedicates time to the Hasler Shore Start Gardens, a therapeutic retreat for veterans living with PTSD. Volunteering alongside his wife, he helps maintain this sanctuary of healing and reflection, offering a safe and nurturing environment for recovery and connection.
Within RNAESS and the Senior Rates Mess at HMS Sultan, he is a driving force behind numerous charitable initiatives, supporting causes such as Sophie’s Legacy and Jellicoe House. His enthusiasm, leadership, and generosity have significantly enhanced the success and spirit of these events.
WO2 Wignell’s exceptional dedication, selfless service, and enduring impact on both the naval and civilian communities make him a truly deserving recipient of the Fuellers prize.
Nominated Charity: Shore Leave Haslar
152 (NORTH IRISH) REGIMENT, ROYAL LOGISTIC CORPS
The Woods Trophy
CORPORAL MARTIN CAMERON
Corporal Cameron is nominated for the Fuellers Prize in recognition of his exceptional professionalism, dedication, and service as a Petroleum Operator. Since joining the Regiment, he has consistently demonstrated adaptability and commitment, quickly becoming a key asset within the Petroleum Squadron and wider field army.
Originally joining as a driver, he embraced the Regiment’s transition to a Fuel Support Regiment by swiftly qualifying as a Petroleum Operator. He achieved Class 1 status in quick succession, becoming one of the Squadron’s most capable individuals in this vital trade. He performs his duties with efficiency and precision, ensuring the consistent delivery of fuel resources.
Beyond his core responsibilities, Corporal Cameron actively contributes to the development of others. He conducts on-the-job training and delivers lessons that have significantly enhanced the Squadron’s technical competence in petroleum operations.
In the past year, he made a notable contribution by voluntarily mobilising to support Aldergrove Flying Station, filling a critical shortfall in Petroleum Operators. This ensured continued operations at a key logistical hub.
He also excelled on a recent overseas exercise in the U.S., integrating seamlessly with American forces and improving interoperability.
A humble, diligent individual, he exemplifies the modern reservist—skilled, committed, and ready to serve when needed. Corporal Cameron’s contributions have had a measurable impact on operational capability
Nominated Charity: Alzheimer's Society
10 SQUADRON RAF
FLIGHT SERGEANT ELIZABETH CRAIG
Flight Sergeant Elizabeth Craig is an exemplar non-commissioned officer who manages and trains the Cabin Crew for the Royal Air Force’s Air Transport and Refuelling aircraft - the Voyager. She is one of the most senior operators but for 10 months of this year she has had to mentor junior personnel as well as manage complex welfare issues. During a period of unprecedented outflow from the Voyager Force, Flight Sergeant Craig has been relied upon to manage the sustainment and training for all the Cabin Crew on the Voyager Force. This role is critical to ensure that all personnel are fully prepared to support current and future operations. In this pivotal leadership role she has excelled, leading her team by example and managing sensitive welfare issues to ensure personnel are recovered to duty in accelerated timelines. She has deployed extensively and has personally overseen the development of very junior cabin crew to increase the experience levels of this important cohort of the UK’s Air Transport capability. The result is that the Voyager Force has been able to sustain its current tempo of operations.
Against a backdrop of reduced funding levels, Flight Sergeant Craig has fought to retain Force Development opportunities for personnel. A range of activities have been protected, but most notably the annual visit to the Normandy Beaches which serves to instil military ethos and a professional curiosity among the Voyager Force personnel. Her quiet determination to succeed has ensured that a cross-section of the Voyager Force is exposed to lessons from previous military campaigns which can be exploited in today’s operations. Her ability to deliver across a range of retention positive activities is testament to her inter-personal skills and capacity.
Flight Sergeant Craig’s compassion and dedication have safeguarded development opportunities and the result is a Force which remains prepared to respond to UK Foreign Policy demands. 10 Squadron and the Royal Air Force owe a great deal of thanks to this dedicated non-commissioned officer.
.Nominated Charity: TBC
TACTICAL SUPPLY WING – TSW
FLIGHT SERJEANT RHYS POWELL
Tactical Supply Wing exists to deliver aviation fuel at the time and place of the commander’s choosing. To achieve this the collective professional output of a skilled workforce must be finely orchestrated. Since his arrival back on TSW Flight Sergeant Powell has set about this task with determination and passion. His efforts have gone a long way to ensuring that every ounce of fuel knowledge and expertise is harnessed from the personnel he proudly serves alongside.
His commitment to empowering his colleagues has allowed them greater certainty over their participation on future refuelling tasks. In turn, this has allowed them to maximise their efforts to prepare for and deliver world class aviation fuel support to demanding customers who cannot accept anything but perfection.
By bringing together key fuel subject matter experts from across Tactical Supply Wing Powell has enhanced communication that has allowed complex fuel related problems to be resolved quickly. His approach has created a culture of collective responsibility and accountability for fuel related issues that promotes a sense of value.
Due to his expertise in the practical application of tactical aviation fuel, built up over years of service and his resolve to always achieve outstanding results he is a true force multiplier. As such FS Powell is commended to the Fuellers as this year’s very worthy recipient of the Fuellers’ Award.
Nominated charity: TBC
OPERATIONAL ENERGY AUTHORITY
IAIN PETER EARL
After a full career as an Army Petroleum Operator, Ian Earl joined the Operational Energy Authority (OEA) in 2018 and is currently the Operations Manager for the Road Loading contract. His is responsible for coordinating the movement of fuel by road throughout the United Kingdom; delivering to MoD bases in support of Air, Land and Maritime training and operations. His work routinely enables the Quick Reaction Alert aircraft and the Carrier Support Group, among a multitude of other short-notice and high priority tasks. His consistent effort has seen ever-developing support to operations and increasingly positive relationships with contracted suppliers. When equipment failure in a Petroleum Storage Depot rendered it unable to provide the correct grade of fuel, Ian was able to leverage his exceptional relationship with the current supplier, Oxalis, to attain the correct grade from other sites despite staff and truck availability constraints. Through his close working relationship and meticulous diligence he ensured Air operations suffered no disruption.
Similarly, when the Royal Household identified a short-notice requirement to use Sustainable Aviation Fuel, the OEA were unable to meet the demand through traditional avenues. Ian once again worked closely with Oxalis to provide short notice, out of contract delivery of Sustainable Aviation Fuel to RAF Brize Norton. These are but two examples of the proactive, diligent and professional approach which Ian has exhibited time and again in the execution of his role in support of essential military operations. By fostering excellent supplier relations and routinely going above and beyond he has maintained the integrity and reputation of the MoD and the RAF and is deserving of recognition.
Nominated Charity: SSAFA
CHARLES STEPHENSON CLARKE PRIZE 2025
First Prize
JACK HAILSTONE
PLATANOS COLLEGE
Harrison Cup 2025
OLUWAFUNMILAYO ILORI
Oluwafunmilayo Ilori has been awarded with the Fuellers Trust Harrison Cup, for her outstanding contributions and achievements during her time at Platanos College.
As Deputy Head pupil and Music Leader, she has demonstrated exceptional leadership and dedication. Oluwafunmilayo successfully planned Culture Day for 2024 and is currently working on the planning for 2025. She has been an integral part of the school, assisting in producing and presenting numerous assemblies to her peers.
Oluwafunmilayo has also excelled in extracurricular activities, being part of the school orchestra and achieving Grading in piano. She recited a poem at the Remembrance Day parade and has participated in both summer and Christmas concerts. Additionally, she has written articles for the school newsletter and was a member of the school netball team for several years. Oluwafunmilayo has also served as Class President and Peer Mediator. She was a part of the Armitage Juniors Foundation Programme and served as a Reading Mentor, receiving the Reading Mentor of the Year award. Her academic strength is further evidenced by her selection for Further Maths.
Oluwafunmilayo’s remarkable contributions to both academic and extracurricular activities are truly commendable. She is a worthy winner of the Harrison Cup; her outstanding dedication and contributions towards the Platanos community will no doubt continue for many years to come.
