Desmond Wettern Fleet Award
 for best contribution to a positive image of the Royal Navy
The Desmond Wettern Fleet Award is presented annually to the HM ship, submarine, Naval Air Squadron or Royal Marine Unit that is judged to have made the best contribution to a positive image of the Royal Navy during the year to 30 September.
The nomination and judging arrangements are handled by Fleet Media at Portsmouth for the Royal Navy.
The Award, presented by by C-in-C Fleet or his deputy, is a cut glass ship’s decanter mounted on a plinth of oak from HMS Victory bearing a silver
plate inscribed ‘Heart of Oak’.
This award was initiated in 1993 by Major General Edward Fursdon RE, Army Correspondent of the Daily Telegraph, in conjunction with the Director of Public Relations (Navy), as a tribute by the Royal Navy to the memory of Desmond Wettern.
At the first awards, Gillian Wettern presented the cut glass ship’s decanter; Lt Commander David Harris RN, Commanding Officer, HMS Victory, provided the oak for the plinth; and Rear Admiral Tony Whetstone proposed the inscription.
The Desmond Wettern Maritime Media Award was established separately by the Maritime Foundation in collaboration with the Director of Public Relations (Navy), Captain Chris Esplin-Jones RN, and other senior naval officers.
| Past Winners |
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2009
HMS Illustrious
Photo: HRH The Princess Royal and former Commander Weapons Engineering and Public Relations Officer of HMS Illustrious Captain Jim Macleod.
Press Release >> |
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2008
HMS Illustrious
Photo: Captain Steve Chick, The Countess Mountbatten of Burma and Anthony Harvey.
Press Release >> |
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2007
42 Commando RM |
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2006
HMS Bulwark |
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2005
HMS Ocean |
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2004
HMS Ark Royal |
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2003
HMS Lancaster |
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2002
HMS Gannet |
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2001
HMS Argyll |
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2000
HMS Gloucester |
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1999
HMS Invincible |
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1998
HMS Trafalgar |
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1997
HMS Illustrious |
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1996
845 Naval Air Squadron |
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1995
HMS Brave |
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1994
HMS Avenger |
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1993
HMS Cardiff |
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