MW Annual Dinner & Awards
18 Nov 2025 - The fourth annual Mine Warfare Dinner & Awards were held last Thursday 13 November in the Royal Maritime Hotel in Portsmouth.
Organised as previously by WO1(MW) Andrew ‘Ozzy’ Osborne and supported by Lt Cdr Chris ‘Chip’ Miles and PO(MW) Andy ‘Apples’ Graham as Joint Masters of Ceremonies, this year’s event proved as successful as ever. It was sponsored by Thales (lead sponsor), Kraken Robotics, Seebyte and the Alford Group.
The day had started with the annual Mine Countermeasures Conference, sponsored by HII Mission Technologies, at HMS COLLINGWOOD where Yours Truly (Rob Hoole) was honoured to have been invited to deliver a presentation marking the 50th anniversary of the Mine Warfare Branch. Next year will mark my own 50th anniversary as a Minewarfare & Clearance Diving Officer.
We weren’t in the larger capacity Millennium Hall auditorium because the organisers, led by Lt Cdr Chris ‘Chip’ Miles and CPO Marty ‘Eke’ Mouse hadn’t banked on so many last minute delegates turning up. I suspect arrangements will be different next year.
I am grateful to Fraser Baxter-Watt for taking this photo showing me in action at the podium.
The awards dinner was timed to start at 1800 for 1830 but several attendees warmed the bell by gaining flying speed in the nearby Ship Anson pub on The Hard. In the event, approximately 150 diners sat down for a delicious three-course meal with plenty of wine to wash it down. The food was served piping hot and the table service was excellent.
Most of us convened in the adjacent bar before entering the dining room.
After sitting down, we were entertained throughout the meal by HMS COLLINGWOOD’s Volunteer Band playing with much gusto on the balcony.
I tried to photograph as many tables as possible but people were moving around much of the time to renew old friendships and bring each other up to speed on their latest news. I did manage, however, to persuade someone to capture everyone on our table.
After the meal had been cleared away, attendees settled down for the main event of the evening: the presentation of awards. Andy ‘Apples’ Graham and Chris ‘Chip’ Miles, acting as Joint Masters of Ceremonies, set the scene.
The Outstanding MW Junior Rate of the Year Award is bestowed upon the AB(MW) who has achieved excellence in the current year. It is sponsored by the Alford Group and was presented by Mr Roland Alford (Managing Director of the Group) to LS(MW Sam Taylor of MCM2 Crew 7.
The Outstanding WO(MW) & MW SR of the Year Award is bestowed upon the WO or SR MW who has achieved excellence in the current year. It is sponsored by the Yeomans Wardens (Beefeaters) and was presented by Cdr Rich Hurman (Cdr MCM2) to PO(MW) Kye Berrey of MCM2 Crew 2. It was received on Kye’s behalf by Lt Cdr Craig Clarke (CO MCM2 Crew 3).
The Outstanding MWO of the Year Award is bestowed upon the MWO who has achieved excellence in the current year. It is sponsored by SeeByte and was presented by Mr Sean Slee (WO1(MW)) to Lt Conner Brain RN of MCM2 Crew 7.
The Outstanding MW RNR Award is sponsored by the RNR and was presented by Lt Cdr Tom Worley RNR to Lt Nick Hargreaves RNR.
The Outstanding Contributions to Operations Award is bestowed upon an individual who has shown outstanding operational proficiency and has made significant contributions to enhancing international collaborative efforts and interoperability. It is sponsored by Kraken Robotics and was presented by Mr David Foggin (Former WO2(MW)) of Kraken to CPO(MW) Mark ‘Simmo’ Dugan RNR.
The ‘WO1 ‘Dixie’ Dean MBE’ Award is bestowed upon an individual whose lifelong service and unwavering commitment to the MW Branch have been truly exemplary. It is sponsored by the Mine Warfare Association and was presented by Jim Hawkins (Chairman of the MWA) to newly retired CPO(MW) Peter ‘George’ Atkinson.
The TCA-Cdr Bob Hawkins MBE Outstanding MW Team of the Year Award is bestowed upon the MW team/section that has achieved excellence in the current year. It is sponsored by Thales and was presented by Mr David Hunkin OBE (Maritime Sales, BD & Operations Leader) to MTXG Yankee Unit 1 represented by Lt Cdr Sam Jane (CO YU1).
The evening was rounded off with a State of the Nation address by Captain Simon Pressdee RN (Captain Patrol, Underwater Exploitation & Diving (PUXD)). He went into some detail about the achievements of each unit in MTXG (Mine and Threat Exploitation Group) during the past year and the stand-out individual of each.
Many congratulations to all recipients of awards and a huge vote of thanks to the organisers of all the day’s events. See you again next year on Thursday 19 November..