The Sun Military Awards

The Sun Military Awards
Sponsored byThe Sun
LocationHampton Court Palace (2008)
Imperial War Museum (2009–12)
National Maritime Museum (2013–14)
Guildhall (2015–2017)
Banqueting House (2018-)
CountryUnited Kingdom
Hosted byTess Daly (2008)
Phillip Schofield (2009–14)
Amanda Holden (2009–14)
Tom Bradby (2015)
Lorraine Kelly (2016–)
First awarded2008
Television/radio coverage
NetworkSky1 (2008)
ITV (2009–14)
Forces TV (2015–)
Runtime90 minutes (inc. adverts)

The Sun Military Awards (televised as A Night of Heroes: The Sun Military Awards since 2009) is an annual awards ceremony which honours members of the British armed forces and civilians involved with the forces. The awards are organised and sponsored by The Sun newspaper.[1] The award trophies are designed and hand-made by British Silversmith and porcelain designer Kerry O'Connor.[2]

During the televised ceremony, awards known as "Millies" are given out. The awards and their recipients are chosen by a select panel of ten judges, made up of national figures and military chiefs. Nominees of all but one of the categories are selected by the general public, with the remaining category winner chosen by the judges.[1]

The first ceremony aired on Sky1 and was hosted by Tess Daly, but from 2009 until 2014, the awards were televised on ITV and are presented by Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden. It currently airs on Forces TV.

Ceremonies

Year Presenter Broadcaster Location
2008 Tess Daly Sky1 Hampton Court Palace
2009 Phillip Schofield
Amanda Holden		 ITV Imperial War Museum
2010
2011
2012
2013 National Maritime Museum
2014
2015 Tom Bradby Forces TV Guildhall
2016 Lorraine Kelly
2017 Banqueting House, Whitehall
2018
2019

2008

The 2008 award ceremony was presented by Tess Daly, taking place on 16 December at Hampton Court Palace[3] and was aired on Sky1 before Christmas that year.

Award Details Recipient(s)
Best recruit For a young recruit, of any rank and service, who has demonstrated outstanding potential in initial training. Able Seaman Jamie Campbell
Best Armed Forces Animal For the most remarkable service from a service animal; to recognise the vital role of animals in the forces; on operations, during ceremonial duties or at home. Treo and Corporal Dave Heyhoe
Life Saver Award For a service individual, whether a member of the medical chain or not, who has performed an extraordinary life-saving act) Lance Corporal Jan Fourie
Most Outstanding Airman For the individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the RAF over the last year. Warrant Officer Jack MacFarlane
True Grit: Group For a small unit or group of men or women from any service who have together performed a single act of true grit – through courage, determination or self-sacrifice – be it on or off duty. Royal Marines Armoured Support Group
Support to the Armed Forces For a civilian, a civil servant, a contractor or just an ordinary member of the public, who has provided invaluable help to the Armed Forces. Bryn Parry, Emma Parry, Jeremy and Francie Clarkson; Help For Heroes
Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine For the individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the Royal Navy or Royal Marines over the past year. Leading Seaman Lee Duffy
Most Outstanding Soldier For the individual who has made the most outstanding contribution to the Army over the past year. WO2 Ian Farrell
True Grit: Individual For an individual serviceman or woman who has performed a single act of true grit – through courage, determination or self-sacrifice – be it on or off duty. Captain Simon Cupples
Overcoming Adversity To recognise individuals who have suffered injury or illness, and yet have overcome their significant difficulties with fortitude. Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson
Best Unit The winner of this award can either be a major or minor unit that has excelled consistently over the year, for example with notable achievements on an operational deployment. The Chinook Force
Judge's Award for Special Recognition For outstanding service by an individual or group, and not recognised elsewhere. Christine Bonner
2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment

2009

The 2009 award ceremony took place on 15 December 2009, and was broadcast on ITV on 21 December at 9pm. Phillip Schofield and Amanda Holden were the presenters for the first time.

The judges included John Terry, Jeremy Clarkson, Kelly Holmes, Ross Kemp and four ex-Service chiefs.[4]

Award Recipient(s)
Overcoming Adversity Marine Ben McBean, 40 Commando Royal Marines, Plymouth, Devon
Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine Able Seaman Medical Assistant Kate Nesbitt MC, attached to 1st Battalion, The Rifles, Plymouth, Devon
Most Outstanding Soldier Corporal Mark Powis MC, 1st Battalion The Rifles, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset
Most Outstanding Airman Flight Lieutenant John Walmsley, RAF Odiham, from Edinburgh
Best Reservist Able Seaman Edmund Grandison, HMS Forward, Royal Naval Reserve, from Tyseley, Birmingham
Support to the Armed Forces The town of Wootton Bassett, Wiltshire
Life Saver Award Corporal Carl Thomas, 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, Liverpool
True Grit Home Acting Chief Petty Officer David Rigg, Fleet Air Arm, RNAS Culdrose, Cornwall
True Grit Overseas Sergeant Andrew McNulty, 2nd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment, Catterick, North Yorkshire
Best Unit The 2nd Battalion, The Rifles, Ballykinler, Northern Ireland
Judges' Award for Special Recognition Joint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group & Afghan Heroes

2010

The 2010 award ceremony was televised on ITV, on 20 December 2010.[5][6] The ceremony was presented by Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield.

Award Recipient(s)
Overcoming Adversity Corporal Andy Reid, 3rd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment
Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine Sergeant Major Buck Ryan, 40 Commando
Most Outstanding Soldier Warrant Officer II Karl Ley, 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment RLC
Most Outstanding Airman Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune, No. 27 Squadron RAF
Best Reservist Squadron Leader Sarah Charter
Support to the Armed Forces Denny Wise
Life Saver Award Corporal Ricky Fergusson, 4th Battalion, The Rifles
True Grit Sergeant Keith Best, RAF Search and Rescue Force
Best Unit 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment
Judges' Awards for Special Recognition Heroes of Sangin
RAF Bomber Command

2011

The 2011 award ceremony took place at the Imperial War Museum on 19 December 2011 and was televised on ITV, on 21 December 2011, at 8.30pm. It was hosted by Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield.

The winners were:[7]

Award Recipient(s)
Overcoming Adversity Private Scott Meenagh, 2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment
Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine Petty Officer Aircrewman Mike Henson, HMS St Albans
Most Outstanding Soldier Sergeant Ryan McReady, 1st Battalion, Royal Irish Regiment
Most Outstanding Airman Flight Lieutenant Michael Anderson, RAF Odiham
Best Reservist Air Engineering Technician Michelle Ping, Royal Naval Reserve Air Branch
Support to the Armed Forces Walking with the Wounded
Life Saver Award RAF Tactical Medical Wing
True Grit Private Lee Stephens, 3rd Battalion, The Mercian Regiment
Best Unit 42 Commando Royal Marines
Judges' Special Award HMS Liverpool
Judges' Special Award RAF Search and Rescue

2012

The 2012 award ceremony was again held at the Imperial War Museum on 6 December 2012 and was televised on ITV, on 15 December 2012 at 9pm and were hosted by Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield.

Award Recipient(s)
Overcoming Adversity Captain Si Maxwell, Royal Marines
Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine Corporal Justin Morgan, Royal Marines, 771 Naval Air Squadron
Most Outstanding Soldier Lance Corporal Sean Jones, 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
Most Outstanding Airman Sergeant Roy Geddes, No. 51 Squadron RAF Regiment
Best Reservist Private Simon Sunderland, Royal Logistic Corps
Support to the Armed Forces Nikki Scott, founder "Scotty's Little Soldiers"
Life Saver Award Lance Corporal Hayley Ridgeway, 1st Battalion, The Rifles
True Grit Corporal Oliver Kennedy, 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment
Best Unit 3rd Battalion, The Rifles
Judges' Special Award Complex Trauma Team, Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley Court
Judges' Special Award Operation Olympics (military contribution to 2012 London Olympic Games)

2013

The 2013 award ceremony took place at the National Maritime Museum on 11 December and was televised on ITV on 16 December from 9pm. The ceremony was once again hosted by Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield.

Award Recipient(s)
Overcoming Adversity Corporal Josh Boggi, Royal Engineers
Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine Petty Officer (Naval Nurse) Emily McCullough, Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service
Most Outstanding Soldier Rifleman Josh Dodds, B Company, 4th Battalion, The Rifles
Most Outstanding Airman Sergeant Anna Irwin, 18 (Bomber) Squadron RAF
Best Reservist Lance Corporal Keith Mallon, Royal Yeomanry
Support to the Armed Forces Families' Activity Breaks charity
Life Saver Award Sergeant Rachael Robinson, 22 Squadron, RAF Search and Rescue Force
Best Unit 904 Expeditionary Air Wing, Tornado Detachment
Judges' Awards for Special Recognition Veterans of the Battle of the Atlantic.
Camp Bastion's Support to Operations personnel

2014

The 2014 award ceremony took place at the National Maritime Museum on in December and was televised on ITV on 18 December from 8.30pm. The ceremony was hosted by Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield.

Four specially created awards marked the end of combat operations in Afghanistan, with the recipients chosen from previous winners of awards.[8]

Award Recipient(s)
The Fire-fight 42 Commando Royal Marines
The Bomb Hunters Warrant Officer II Karl Ley, 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment RLC
The Life Savers Flight Lieutenant Ian Fortune, No. 27 Squadron RAF; Air Engineering Technician Michelle Ping, Royal Naval Reserve Air Branch
Brothers in Arms 3rd Battalion, The Rifles
Support to the Armed Forces My Daddy is a Soldier Adventures
Hero Abroad HMS Illustrious
Home-Front Hero Corporal Daniel Botterell, 36 Engineer Regiment
Judges' Awards for Special Recognition Commonwealth War Graves Commission

2015

The 2015 awards took place at Guildhall, London and were presented by Tom Bradby.[citation needed]

Award< Recipient(s)
Most Outstanding Soldier Major Andrew Todd, 2nd Battalion, Royal Gurkha Rifles
Best Reservist Major Henry Dowlen, Royal Marines Reserves, London
Overcoming Adversity Former Lance Corporal Dean Bousfield, Royal Army Medical Corps (Veteran)
Judges' Award for Special Recognition The Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Search and Rescue Force
Support to the Armed Forces Pilgrim Bandits
Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine Petty Officer Seamen Specialist Luke Hallis, HMS Clyde
Judge's Award for Special Recognition The Invictus Games Foundation
Most Outstanding Airmen Sergeant Michael Beamish, 1564 Flight, 905 EAW.
Best Unit Award HMS Bulwark

2016

The 2016 awards were presented by Lorraine Kelly on 14 December. They were televised on Forces TV.

Award Recipient(s)
Hero at Home Unit 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment RLC
Judges' Special Recognition 2nd Battalion, the Duke of Lancaster's Regiment

2017

The 2017 awards were presented by Lorraine Kelly for the second time. The event took place on 13 December and were televised on Forces TV.

Award Recipient(s)
Hero at Home - Individual Lieutenant Jared Bambridge, 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, Army
Best Reservist Corporal Phillip Keogh, 335 Medical Evacuation Regiment, Army
Hero at Home - Unit Southern Diving Unit 2, Royal Navy
Overcoming Adversity Former Senior Aircraftman Luke Wigman, RAF Regiment, RAF and former Captain Ibi Ali, The Yorkshire Regiment, Army
Hero Overseas – Individual Leading Seaman Sally Hughes, HMS Dragon, Royal Navy
Hero Overseas – Unit UK Reaper Squadron, RAF
Inspiring Others SPEAR 17, Army
Innovation Award Warrant Officer Paul Moonan, Royal Navy
Judges’ Award for Special Recognition Operation Ruman
Support to the Armed Forces Veterans with Dogs

2018

The 2018 awards were presented by Lorraine Kelly for the third time. The event took place on 13 December and were televised on Forces TV.[9]

Award Recipient(s)
Hero at Home - Individual Cdr Andrew Parkinson, Commanding Officer Navy Combined Cadet Force
Best Reservist Cpl Isabell Hutchinson, 299 Parachute Squadron, Royal Engineers
Hero at Home - Unit Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Task Force
Hero Overseas – Individual LCpl Chris May, LCpl Dean Priestley, Tpr Stuart Finlay, Tpr Ross Woodward, Tpr James Astbury, Tpr Zak Davidson
Hero Overseas – Unit HMS Daring
Inspiring Others Major Scotty Mills, Royal Marines
Innovation Award Defence Science and Technology Laboratory – Sepsis research
Support to the Armed Forces There But Not There

2019

The 2019 awards were presented by Lorraine Kelly for the fourth time. The event was televised on Forces TV.[10]

Award Recipient(s)
Judges Special Award Royal British Legion and D-Day veterans
Hero at Home - Individual Lance Corporal Craig Daniel
Best Reservist Lieutenant Commander Tracey MacSephney
Hero at Home - Unit 18 and 27 Squadron, RAF Odiham
Hero Overseas – Individual Flight Lieutenant Aaron Kerry
Hero Overseas – Unit HMS Argyll
Inspiring Others Private Fin Doherty
Innovation Award Scar Free Foundation
Supporting the Armed Forces All Call Signs
Overcoming Adversity Rifleman Craig Monaghan

References

  1. ^ a b "Sun Military Awards return to honour best in Defence". MOD. 22 July 2010. Retrieved 22 December 2010.
  2. ^ "Kerry O'Connor Designer & Maker".
  3. ^ "Armed forces awards show to air on Sky 1". Broadcast. 12 November 2008. Retrieved 12 December 2013.
  4. ^ "The Sun launches Millies 2009". army.mod.uk. 31 July 2009. Archived from the original on 10 October 2009. Retrieved 1 December 2009.
  5. ^ Larke, Kaija (20 December 2010). "Forces personnel honoured". British Forces News. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  6. ^ "A night of heroes". Metro. 2010. Retrieved 23 December 2010.
  7. ^ "Armed Forces honoured at the Millies".
  8. ^ "Military Heroes Honoured at the 2014 Millies". GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence. 11 December 2014. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  9. ^ "The Sun Military Awards 2018 reward armed forces heroes".
  10. ^ "The Sun Military Awards: Winners in Full". 7 February 2020.