Awards & Prizes

WINNERS FOR 2023

The Naval Review has awarded prizes for many years to encourage novel thought and to exercise skills at getting messages across (especially articles from those busy individuals still serving). Over the years we have refined the adjudication process. For those more open categories (ie awards not linked to specific courses) each qualifying article published in the Review’s journal are judged by a selection panel against four criteria: style, clarity, originality of thought and strategic implications (the ‘so what?’ facet of any article).

The Prizes for 2023 are awarded as follows:

The Clive Richard Prize:

A cash prize (£250) awarded to the author (Lieutenant and below) of the best article published in the NR.

The Winner for 2023 is Sub Lt William Parker for the article ‘Winning the War before the War: Defence Engagement and the Conceptual Component’.

The RJD Technology Prize:

A cash prize (£250) along with 2 years membership awarded to one student enrolled at Kingston University for his/her academic paper on a topic relevant to their PWO training or career.

The Winner for 2023 is Lt Cdr Steffan Overland Royal Norwegian Navy for the article “Mission Command in a Steel Hull’.

The Matthew Wills Prize in Memory of Captain John Leach MVO DSO RN:

A cash prize (£500) awarded to the officer of the RN, RNR, RM, RMR, RFA or officer cadet at BRNC or CTCRM who writes the best essay on the shared history of the Royal Navy and the United States Navy.

Not awarded in 2023

The Matthew Wills Prize in Memory of Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Leach GCB DL:

A cash prize (£500) awarded to the officer of the RN, RNR, RM, RMR, RFA or officer cadet at BRNC or CTCRM who writes the best essay on the Royal Navy/United States Navy cooperation in the 21st Century.

Not awarded in 2023

The Warden Berry Prize for Reservists:

Open to serving personnel of any age in the Royal Naval Reserve (RNR), Royal Marines Reserve (RMR) and University Royal Naval Units (URNU). The aim of the prize (£500) is to encourage Reservists to submit articles about Maritime and geo-strategic affairs, the roles of reserves in military and naval operations, and matters of their civilian employment from which the service could usefully learn.

The winner for 2023 is Lt Cdr Gene Hackman RNR for the article ‘The Maritime Reserves as niche technical enablers for the Royal Navy?’

The Editor’s Prize for the Best Debut Article:

Open to all members, a cash prize (£150) for the best debut article published in 2023.

The Winner for 2023 is Lt Lily Mae Fisher RN for the article ‘Advice to my younger self’.

The Editor’s Prize for the Most Original Article:

Open to all contributors, a cash prize (£150) for the most original article or series of articles published in 2023.

The winner for 2023 is Cdre David Burns RN (Rtd) for his series of articles ‘The Man in the margins – The Black Sailor’s voyage to Nelson’s Column’.

The Professor Eric Grove Memorial Prize:

Awarded for the best academic essay from BRNC of the term (Prize £100).

Spring 23: Sub Lt Jack Buller RN: ‘Operational challenges for Russia and NATO Maritime Forces in the Baltic Sea’.

Summer Term 23: Mid Joe Reilly RN: ‘The attack on Inchon, September 1950’.

Winter Term 23: OC Kellan Reed: ‘Why did the Anglo-Canadian landings on the Normandy Coast on 6 June 1944 proceed in a more straight forward manner than the US operations against Omaha beach?’