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. The award trophies are designed and hand-made by British Silversmith and porcelain designer Kerry O'Connor.
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.
Ceremonies Year Presenter Broadcaster Location 2008 Tess Daly Sky1 Hampton Court Palace 2009 Phillip SchofieldAmanda Holden ITV Imperial War Museum 2010 2011 2012 2013 National Maritime Museum 2014 2015 Tom Bradby Forces TV Guildhall 2016 Lorraine Kelly 2017Banqueting House, Whitehall 2018 2019
2008 The 2008 award ceremony was presented by Tess Daly, taking place on 16 December at Hampton Court Palace 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 Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine 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 Overcoming Adversity 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 Bonner2nd Battalion, Parachute Regiment
2009
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.
Award Recipient(s)Overcoming AdversityMarine 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 AirmanFlight 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 AwardCorporal 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 RecognitionJoint Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group & Afghan Heroes
2010
The 2010 award ceremony was televised on ITV, on 20 December 2010. The ceremony was presented by Amanda Holden and Phillip Schofield.
Award Recipient(s)Overcoming AdversityCorporal Andy Reid, 3rd Battalion, Yorkshire RegimentMost Outstanding Sailor or Marine Sergeant Major Buck Ryan, 40 Commando Most Outstanding Soldier Warrant Officer II Karl Ley, 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment RLCMost Outstanding AirmanFlight Lieutenant Ian Fortune, No. 27 Squadron RAFBest Reservist Squadron Leader Sarah CharterSupport to the Armed Forces Denny Wise Life Saver AwardCorporal Ricky Fergusson, 4th Battalion, The RiflesTrue GritSergeant Keith Best, RAF Search and Rescue Force Best Unit 1st Battalion, The Mercian RegimentJudges' Awards for Special RecognitionHeroes of SanginRAF Bomber Command
2011
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:
Award Recipient(s)Overcoming Adversity Private Scott Meenagh, 2nd Battalion, Parachute RegimentMost Outstanding Sailor or Marine Petty Officer Aircrewman Mike Henson, Most Outstanding Soldier Sergeant Ryan McReady, 1st Battalion, Royal Irish RegimentMost Outstanding Airman Flight Lieutenant Michael Anderson, RAF OdihamBest Reservist Air Engineering Technician Michelle Ping, Royal Naval Reserve Air BranchSupport to the Armed Forces Walking with the WoundedLife Saver Award RAF Tactical Medical WingTrue Grit Private Lee Stephens, 3rd Battalion, The Mercian RegimentBest Unit 42 Commando Royal MarinesJudges' Special Award Judges' Special Award RAF Search and Rescue
2012
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 AdversityCaptain Si Maxwell, Royal MarinesMost Outstanding Sailor or Marine Corporal Justin Morgan, Royal Marines, 771 Naval Air SquadronMost Outstanding Soldier Lance Corporal Sean Jones, 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal RegimentMost Outstanding AirmanSergeant Roy Geddes, No. 51 Squadron RAF RegimentBest Reservist Private Simon Sunderland, Royal Logistic CorpsSupport to the Armed Forces Nikki Scott, founder "Scotty's Little Soldiers" Life Saver AwardLance Corporal Hayley Ridgeway, 1st Battalion, The RiflesTrue GritCorporal Oliver Kennedy, 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment Best Unit 3rd Battalion, The RiflesJudges' Special AwardComplex Trauma Team, Defence Medical Rehabilitation Centre, Headley CourtJudges' Special AwardOperation Olympics (military contribution to 2012 London Olympic Games)
2013
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 AdversityCorporal Josh Boggi, Royal EngineersMost Outstanding Sailor or Marine Petty Officer (Naval Nurse) Emily McCullough, Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing ServiceMost Outstanding Soldier Rifleman Josh Dodds, B Company, 4th Battalion, The RiflesMost Outstanding AirmanSergeant Anna Irwin, 18 (Bomber) Squadron RAFBest Reservist Lance Corporal Keith Mallon, Royal YeomanrySupport to the Armed Forces Families' Activity Breaks charityLife Saver AwardSergeant Rachael Robinson, 22 Squadron, RAF Search and Rescue ForceBest Unit 904 Expeditionary Air Wing, Tornado DetachmentJudges' Awards for Special RecognitionVeterans of the Battle of the Atlantic.Camp Bastion's Support to Operations personnel
2014
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.
Award Recipient(s)The Fire-fight42 Commando Royal MarinesThe Bomb Hunters Warrant Officer II Karl Ley, 11 Explosive Ordnance Disposal Regiment RLCThe Life SaversFlight Lieutenant Ian Fortune, No. 27 Squadron RAF; Air Engineering Technician Michelle Ping, Royal Naval Reserve Air BranchBrothers in Arms3rd Battalion, The RiflesSupport to the Armed Forces My Daddy is a Soldier AdventuresHero AbroadHMS IllustriousHome-Front HeroCorporal Daniel Botterell, 36 Engineer RegimentJudges' Awards for Special RecognitionCommonwealth War Graves Commission
2015 The 2015 awards took place at Guildhall, London and were presented by Tom Bradby.
Award< Recipient(s)Most Outstanding SoldierMajor Andrew Todd, 2nd Battalion, Royal Gurkha RiflesBest ReservistMajor Henry Dowlen, Royal Marines Reserves, LondonOvercoming AdversityFormer Lance Corporal Dean Bousfield, Royal Army Medical Corps (Veteran)Judges' Award for Special RecognitionThe Royal Navy and Royal Air Force Search and Rescue ForceSupport to the Armed ForcesPilgrim BanditsMost Outstanding Sailor or MarinePetty Officer Seamen Specialist Luke Hallis, Judge's Award for Special RecognitionThe Invictus Games FoundationMost Outstanding AirmenSergeant Michael Beamish, 1564 Flight, 905 EAW. Best Unit Award
2016 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
2017 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 - IndividualLieutenant Jared Bambridge, 1st Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment, ArmyBest ReservistCorporal Phillip Keogh, 335 Medical Evacuation Regiment, ArmyHero at Home - UnitSouthern Diving Unit 2, Royal NavyOvercoming AdversityFormer Senior Aircraftman Luke Wigman, RAF Regiment, RAF and former Captain Ibi Ali, The Yorkshire Regiment, ArmyHero Overseas – IndividualLeading Seaman Sally Hughes, HMS Dragon, Royal NavyHero Overseas – UnitUK Reaper Squadron, RAFInspiring OthersSPEAR 17, ArmyInnovation AwardWarrant Officer Paul Moonan, Royal Navy Judges’ Award for Special Recognition Operation RumanSupport to the Armed ForcesVeterans with Dogs
2018 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.