| The Sun Military Awards | |
| Runtime: | 90 minutes (inc. adverts) |
| Host: | Tess Daly (2008) Phillip Schofield (2009–14) Amanda Holden (2009–14) Tom Bradby (2015) Lorraine Kelly (2016–) |
| Sponsor: | The Sun |
| Network: | Sky1 (2008) ITV (2009–14) Forces TV (2015–) |
| Year: | 2008 |
| Country: | United Kingdom |
| Location: | Hampton Court Palace (2008) Imperial War Museum (2009–12) National Maritime Museum (2013–14) Guildhall (2015–2017) Banqueting House (2018-) |
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.
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.
| Year | Presenter | Broadcaster | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Hampton Court Palace | ||
| 2009 | Imperial War Museum | ||
| 2010 | |||
| 2011 | |||
| 2012 | |||
| 2013 | National Maritime Museum | ||
| 2014 | |||
| 2015 | Guildhall | ||
| 2016 | Lorraine Kelly | ||
| 2017 | Banqueting House, Whitehall | ||
| 2018 | |||
| 2019 |
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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 |
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,, 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 |
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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Best Unit | 1st Battalion, The Mercian Regiment | |
| Judges' Awards for Special Recognition | Heroes of Sangin RAF Bomber Command |
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, | |
| 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 | ||
| Judges' Special Award | RAF Search and Rescue |
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 | ||
| 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) |
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 |
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 |
The 2015 awards took place at Guildhall, London and were presented by Tom Bradby.
| 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, | |
| Judge's Award for Special Recognition | The Invictus Games Foundation | |
| Most Outstanding Airmen | Sergeant Michael Beamish, 1564 Flight, 905 EAW. | |
| Best Unit Award |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 | ||
| Inspiring Others | Private Fin Doherty | |
| Innovation Award | Scar Free Foundation | |
| Supporting the Armed Forces | All Call Signs | |
| Overcoming Adversity | Rifleman Craig Monaghan |