The Worshipful Company of Engineers is proud to be affiliated to HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Anson. At our Awards evening on 4th June 2024, three awards were presented for innovative engineering and operational excellence under adversity. Inspirational stories of the critical role of engineering in these state-of-the-art vessels.

HMS PRINCE OF WALES AWARDS

The aircraft carrier HMS PRINCE OF WALES is affiliated to the Worshipful Company of Engineers, which, jointly with the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology supports the Vice Admiral Wildish Memorial Prize for Engineering Innovation and The Commander Marine Engineering Award for Operational Engineering.

Vice Admiral Wildish Award for Engineering Innovation

Awarded to the member of any engineering department onboard HMS PRINCE OF WALES (Air, Marine or Weapons) who has created a new piece of equipment or technique to deal with a unique problem, solved a known problem in a more efficient way or used existing equipment or techniques in a new fashion to achieve a better result, demonstrating innovation in the face of adversity.

Leading Engineering Technician (Weapon Engineer) Gabriel Whyte

During NATO Exercise STEADFAST DEFENDER, LET Whyte used innovation to develop and operate a reliable Welfare Wi-Fi service essential to the morale of the Ship’s Company, enabling the 1400 personnel onboard to communicate regularly with home.  In addition, LET Whyte designed Wi-Fi for the Ship’s Classroom so that professional development courses could continue at sea.  With no contractor support, he was an essential lead in the innovative implementation of the STARLINK system into the QE Class Carriers, at sea in challenging environmental conditions.  Wholly deserving of this award, LET Whyte’s dedication and broader thought has improved the capability, capacity and reliability of the onboard Welfare Wi-Fi system to benefit all embarked personnel. Unfortunately LET Whyte could not receive his Award in person, which was accepted on his behalf by Commander Victoria Percival MBE RN.

Cdr Victoria Percival MBE RN accepting LET Gabriel Whyte’s award from Air Vice-Marshal Shaun Harris CBE with Master Engineer Dr Dolores Byrne OBE [photo courtesy of Mark Witter Photography]

Historical Note: Vice Admiral Wildish served in HMS PRINCE OF WALES in 1941.  A few months before the ship was sunk in the Far East, the ship’s officers presented him and his wife with a silver platter to mark their wedding.  Vice Admiral Wildish died in 2017 and his family have given the platter to the current HMS PRINCE OF WALES in his memory. The platter is now part of the annual award, sponsored jointly by the Engineers Company and Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology, to commemorate the innovation shown by Admiral Wildish during his career as a Marine Engineering Officer.  Among his many inventions was the splinter box (for damage control) as well as the concept of maintenance scheduling, a forerunner to Unit Maintenance Management System in use today.

The Commander Marine Engineering Award for Operational Engineering

This Award is made to the member of any Engineering department onboard HMS PRINCE OF WALES who has delivered an exceptional result against either significant operational or time pressure, and/or arduous conditions.

Chief Petty Officer Engineering Technician (Marine Engineering) Kevin Benson

CPO Kevin Benson is an exemplar of the Marine Engineering branch ethos.  A committed and stoic leader, he has led his team to deliver the most consistently available propulsion plant ever seen on board the QE Class during challenging circumstances.

Last summer, substantial emergent repair work drove a compressed recovery period ahead of a critical deployment.  Over this last 12 months, Benson has been instrumental in regeneration of the ship from dry dock, through major propulsion trials, two deployments and the re-planning of a critical support period.  The success of this programme owes much to Benson’s team and leadership.

Throughout the subsequent deployment in the Arctic Circle, Benson continued to maximise availability of equipment despite the challenges offered by the harsh environment and high tempo operations.

His can-do attitude, solution-led approach, and cheerfulness, have served HMS PRINCE OF WALES brilliantly this year, and make him exceptionally well deserving of this award.

CPO Kevin Benson accepting his award from Air Vice-Marshal Shaun Harris CBE with Master Engineer Dr Dolores Byrne OBE [photo courtesy of Mark Witter Photography]

HMS ANSON AWARD

Commanding Officer’s Engineering, Leadership and Innovation Award

HMS ANSON is affiliated to the Worshipful Company of Engineers, which supports this Award for an HMS ANSON Junior Rate, Senior Rate, Warrant Officer, or Commissioned Officer who has demonstrated exceptional engineering ability, leadership and innovation over the previous 12 months.

Chief Petty Officer (Weapon Engineer Submariner) Ryan Bleakley

CPO Ryan Bleakley has proven to be a vital asset during HMS ANSON’s demanding sea trials.  He is responsible for managing the sensors and ordnance sections, delivering the capability required by the Command.

By implementing high engineering standards, he ensures round-the-clock availability of the submarine’s sensors and ordnance sections, key to the submarine’s capability.  A determined leader, his drive and use of innovative techniques to overcome technical problems have enabled an uplift in output and morale in some difficult operational times. 

Additionally, by sharing his experience with less experienced personnel, they develop their careers more quickly, take early responsibility, creating a shared sense of ownership.

CPO Ryan Bleakley accepting his award from Air Vice-Marshal Shaun Harris CBE with Master Engineer Dr Dolores Byrne OBE [photo courtesy of Mark Witter Photography]

The Worshipful Company of Engineers Charitable Trust (the Engineers Trust) acknowledges excellence in engineering, supports engineering education and research, gives grants and assists in the relief of hardship and poverty.