GALLERY: Royal Navy names winners of photographic competition

Photos from this year’s Peregrine Trophy awards, once again, provided an amazing insight into Royal Navy life and operations from around the world.

Each year the best images are showcased at the prestigious annual Peregrine Trophy awards – which this year is being held on board HMS Bulwark in London.

Open to every member of the branch, as well as amateur photographers across the Royal Navy, Royal Marines and Sea Cadets, there were 255 entries in this year’s competition.

Their work was judged by Eleanor Montague of the BBC, Dom Baker of E3 digital marketing and advertising agency, Panay Triantafillides, Defence Imagery picture editor, and Jo Power of the Directorate of Defence Communications.

Each one of the 41 photographers in the Royal Navy joined as an ordinary sailor in a different trade such as a logistics, engineering or warfare specialists.

After excelling in their chosen field they can then apply to join the elite photographic branch.

The select few then work with the Royal Navy and Royal Marines on deployments anywhere in the world – from Antarctica to Norway’s Arctic Circle, from the UK to the Far East – taking pictures of maritime operations, personnel at work and demonstrating all aspects of Service life.

Accolade of Photographer of the Year goes to Leading Airman Photographer Will Haigh, whose portfolio included images from HMS Lancaster on deployment, 40 Commando and Royal Marines boxing.

The Peregrine Trophy awarded to the best section or unit was won by Fleet Regional Photographic Unit (East) based in Portsmouth for submitting a portfolio showcasing service life.

Head of the Royal Navy Photographic Branch Captain Ian Stidston said: “This competition confirms how much exceptional talent and professionalism we have in the Navy’s photographic branch – and also the amateur photographers who have taken some brilliant photographs.”

The Peregrine Trophy dates back to 1961 and is named after the now-closed HMS Peregrine Royal Naval Air Station at Ford in Sussex.

Photos: Royal Navy