Kate Nesbitt
Encyclopedia
Kate Louise Nesbitt MC
(born c.1988) is the first female member of the British Royal Navy
, and the second woman in the British Armed Forces
, to be awarded the Military Cross
(MC). Nesbitt, a Navy medic
from Plymouth
, was awarded the MC for actions in Afghanistan
during March 2009.
in Plymouth, Devon and was educated at Sir John Hunt Community College in Whitleigh. Her father Clive Nesbitt is a former Royal Marine Colour Sergeant
who served for 22 years, and two of her brothers are also in the armed forces. She is tall.
in 2005. She passed a Military Prehospital Emergency Care course run by the charity British Association for Immediate Care
(BASICS) at the Royal Marines base in Arbroath
in Scotland. After medical training, she served at the Commando Training Centre
in Lympstone
, followed by a posting aboard the Type 42 destroyer HMS Nottingham
.
Nesbitt was deployed to Afghanistan for six months between October 2008 and March 2009 as part of the ongoing Operation Herrick
, the British contribution to the War in Afghanistan
which began in 2001. With the rank of Able Seaman
Class 1, Nesbitt was a Medical Assistant
attached to 3 Commando Brigade
, working in close support of C Company, 1st Battalion The Rifles
(1 RIFLES). (The Royal Navy provides the medical support to 3 Commando Brigade, who are normally based in Plymouth.)
On her return from Afghanistan, Nesbitt worked in the Surgical Assessment Unit at the Military Hospital Unit in Derriford Hospital
, Plymouth. (MDHU Derriford)
, Navy
, Marines
and Air Force
"in recognition of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land". For her performance in the Afghanistan tour, including during an ambush on 12 March 2009, Nesbitt (then aged 21) became the first female member of the Royal Navy, and the second woman in the British Armed Forces, to be awarded the Military Cross (MC), after Private Michelle Norris
of the Royal Army Medical Corps
, who received the MC for action in Iraq
in 2006. After the abolition of the Military Medal
in 1993, the Military Cross was extended to all ranks, and thus, Nesbitt is also the first member of the Royal Navy below Warrant Officer
rank to be awarded the Military Cross. Nesbit is also the first member of the Royal Navy to win the MC since the Second World War (and possibly since the First World War).
, Nesbitt administered emergency medical treatment which saved the life of Lance Corporal John List, a 22-year-old soldier of 1st Battalion, The Rifles
(1 RIFLES), from Holsworthy, Devon
.
On that day, List's unit was undertaking a five-day operation in Marjah district, Helmand Province
, securing the area for the forthcoming Afghan elections
. In the mid-afternoon, during a Taliban ambush and ensuing gun-battle, List was shot in the neck. Nesbitt, on being informed by radio of a "man down" and the location, ran 60 to 70 metres under fire and found List struggling to breathe, as the bullet had gone through his top lip, ruptured his jaw and come out of his neck. She administered aid for around 45 minutes, stemming the blood loss, and providing him with another airway. During treatment they were subject to gun and rocket fire from the Taliban forces. List said of the incident, "I felt the impact go through my jaw, and the next thing I knew I was on my back. I thought that was it. Kate appeared from nowhere, reassuring me everything would be ok". List was later airlifted to hospital by Merlin helicopter.
Nesbitt returned from Afghanistan three weeks after the ambush, at the end of her tour. Nesbitt next met List back in England in May 2009, at a medals parade for 1 RIFLES at their Chepstow
barracks, the first time he was able to speak, and thank Nesbitt.
on 5 November 2009. Nesbitt also read the citation during the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall
in London on Saturday 7 November 2009.
Nesbitt was presented with her Military Cross by Prince Charles
on 27 November 2009 at Buckingham Palace
. Nesbitt's citation read:
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(born c.1988) is the first female member of the British Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, and the second woman in the British Armed Forces
British Armed Forces
The British Armed Forces are the armed forces of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.Also known as Her Majesty's Armed Forces and sometimes legally the Armed Forces of the Crown, the British Armed Forces encompasses three professional uniformed services, the Royal Navy, the...
, to be awarded the Military Cross
Military Cross
The Military Cross is the third-level military decoration awarded to officers and other ranks of the British Armed Forces; and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries....
(MC). Nesbitt, a Navy medic
Medical Assistant (Royal Navy)
The Medical Assistant is a Royal Navy medical rating in the United Kingdom. Medical Assistants serve on all types of ships in the surface and submarine fleet, or ashore in a sick bay, hospital, or other establishment...
from Plymouth
Plymouth
Plymouth is a city and unitary authority area on the coast of Devon, England, about south-west of London. It is built between the mouths of the rivers Plym to the east and Tamar to the west, where they join Plymouth Sound...
, was awarded the MC for actions in Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
during March 2009.
Personal life
Nesbitt is from WhitleighWhitleigh
Whitleigh is a district area and is in the electrol Ward of Budshead of the city of Plymouth in the English county of Devon. It shares district borders with Southway, Honicknowle, Crownhill, West Park and St Budeaux. In the 2001 census the population of Whitleigh was 7,165, of which 48.2% were male...
in Plymouth, Devon and was educated at Sir John Hunt Community College in Whitleigh. Her father Clive Nesbitt is a former Royal Marine Colour Sergeant
Colour Sergeant
Colour sergeant or colour serjeant is a non-commissioned title in the Royal Marines and infantry regiments of the British Army, ranking above sergeant and below warrant officer class 2....
who served for 22 years, and two of her brothers are also in the armed forces. She is tall.
Military career
Kate Nesbitt joined the Royal NavyRoyal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
in 2005. She passed a Military Prehospital Emergency Care course run by the charity British Association for Immediate Care
British Association for Immediate Care
The British Association for Immediate Care is a registered charity which aims to encourage and aid the formation and extension of Immediate Care Schemes and strengthen and develop co-operation between schemes providing Immediate Care and the statutory emergency services...
(BASICS) at the Royal Marines base in Arbroath
Arbroath
Arbroath or Aberbrothock is a former royal burgh and the largest town in the council area of Angus in Scotland, and has a population of 22,785...
in Scotland. After medical training, she served at the Commando Training Centre
Commando Training Centre Royal Marines
Commando Training Centre Royal Marines is the principal military training centre for the Royal Marines of the British Armed Forces. It is situated near the village of Lympstone, between the city of Exeter, and the town of Exmouth in Devon...
in Lympstone
Lympstone
Lympstone is a village and civil parish in East Devon in the English county of Devon. It has a population of 1,754. There is a harbour on the estuary of the River Exe, lying at the outlet of Wotton Brook between cliffs of red breccia...
, followed by a posting aboard the Type 42 destroyer HMS Nottingham
HMS Nottingham (D91)
HMS Nottingham was a batch two Type 42 destroyer of the Royal Navy, named after the city of Nottingham, England. She was launched on 18 February 1980, and commissioned on 8 April 1983 as the sixth ship to bear the name....
.
Nesbitt was deployed to Afghanistan for six months between October 2008 and March 2009 as part of the ongoing Operation Herrick
Operation Herrick
Operation Herrick is the codename under which all British operations in the war in Afghanistan have been conducted since 2002. It consists of the British contribution to the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force and support to the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom...
, the British contribution to the War in Afghanistan
War in Afghanistan (2001–present)
The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States of America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front launched Operation Enduring Freedom...
which began in 2001. With the rank of Able Seaman
Able Seaman (rank)
In the British Royal Navy in the middle of the 18th century, the term able seaman referred to a seaman with at least two years' experience at sea...
Class 1, Nesbitt was a Medical Assistant
Medical Assistant (Royal Navy)
The Medical Assistant is a Royal Navy medical rating in the United Kingdom. Medical Assistants serve on all types of ships in the surface and submarine fleet, or ashore in a sick bay, hospital, or other establishment...
attached to 3 Commando Brigade
3 Commando Brigade
3 Commando Brigade is a commando formation of the British Armed Forces and the main manoeuvre formation of the Royal Marines. Its personnel are predominantly Royal Marines, supported by units of Royal Engineers, Royal Artillery, The Rifles, and the Fleet Air Arm, together with other Commando...
, working in close support of C Company, 1st Battalion The Rifles
The Rifles
The Rifles is the largest regiment of the British Army. Formed in 2007, it consists of five regular and two territorial battalions, plus a number of companies in other TA battalions, Each battalion of the Rifles was formerly an individual battalion of one of the two large regiments of the Light...
(1 RIFLES). (The Royal Navy provides the medical support to 3 Commando Brigade, who are normally based in Plymouth.)
On her return from Afghanistan, Nesbitt worked in the Surgical Assessment Unit at the Military Hospital Unit in Derriford Hospital
Derriford Hospital
Derriford Hospital, is a large teaching hospital situated in Plymouth, England. The hospital serves Plymouth and nearby areas in Devon and Cornwall. It also provides tertiary Cardiothoracic surgery, Neurosurgery and Renal Transplant surgery for the whole of the South West Peninsula...
, Plymouth. (MDHU Derriford)
Medal
The Military Cross is awarded to any rank of the ArmyBritish Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
, Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, Marines
Royal Marines
The Corps of Her Majesty's Royal Marines, commonly just referred to as the Royal Marines , are the marine corps and amphibious infantry of the United Kingdom and, along with the Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary, form the Naval Service...
and Air Force
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
"in recognition of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land". For her performance in the Afghanistan tour, including during an ambush on 12 March 2009, Nesbitt (then aged 21) became the first female member of the Royal Navy, and the second woman in the British Armed Forces, to be awarded the Military Cross (MC), after Private Michelle Norris
Michelle Norris
Michelle Suzanne Claire “Chuck” Norris MC, RAMC is a British lance corporal and medic noted for heroism in the 2003 Iraq conflict.-Early life:Norris was born at Stourbridge, West Midlands, England.-Military career:...
of the Royal Army Medical Corps
Royal Army Medical Corps
The Royal Army Medical Corps is a specialist corps in the British Army which provides medical services to all British Army personnel and their families in war and in peace...
, who received the MC for action in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
in 2006. After the abolition of the Military Medal
Military Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
in 1993, the Military Cross was extended to all ranks, and thus, Nesbitt is also the first member of the Royal Navy below Warrant Officer
Warrant Officer
A warrant officer is an officer in a military organization who is designated an officer by a warrant, as distinguished from a commissioned officer who is designated an officer by a commission, or from non-commissioned officer who is designated an officer by virtue of seniority.The rank was first...
rank to be awarded the Military Cross. Nesbit is also the first member of the Royal Navy to win the MC since the Second World War (and possibly since the First World War).
Taliban ambush
The primary action for which Nesbitt received the Military Cross was for acts during a Taliban ambush. On 12 March 2009, while under fire from Taliban forcesTaliban insurgency
The Taliban insurgency took root shortly after the group's fall from power following the 2001 war in Afghanistan. The Taliban continue to attack Afghan, U.S., and other ISAF troops and many terrorist incidents attributable to them have been registered. The war has also spread over the southern and...
, Nesbitt administered emergency medical treatment which saved the life of Lance Corporal John List, a 22-year-old soldier of 1st Battalion, The Rifles
The Rifles
The Rifles is the largest regiment of the British Army. Formed in 2007, it consists of five regular and two territorial battalions, plus a number of companies in other TA battalions, Each battalion of the Rifles was formerly an individual battalion of one of the two large regiments of the Light...
(1 RIFLES), from Holsworthy, Devon
Holsworthy, Devon
Holsworthy is a market town in the north west of Devon, England. It is situated near the county border with Cornwall, and is 9 miles from the coastal resort of Bude. It is on the intersection of the A388 and A3072 roads, and lies on the River Deer, a tributary of the Tamar...
.
On that day, List's unit was undertaking a five-day operation in Marjah district, Helmand Province
Helmand Province
Helmand is one of the 34 provinces of Afghanistan. It is in the southwest of the country. Its capital is Lashkar Gah. The Helmand River flows through the mainly desert region, providing water for irrigation....
, securing the area for the forthcoming Afghan elections
Elections in Afghanistan
This article gives information on elections in Afghanistan.Though Afghanistan has had democratic elections throughout the 20th century, the election institutions have varied as changes in regimes have disrupted political continuity...
. In the mid-afternoon, during a Taliban ambush and ensuing gun-battle, List was shot in the neck. Nesbitt, on being informed by radio of a "man down" and the location, ran 60 to 70 metres under fire and found List struggling to breathe, as the bullet had gone through his top lip, ruptured his jaw and come out of his neck. She administered aid for around 45 minutes, stemming the blood loss, and providing him with another airway. During treatment they were subject to gun and rocket fire from the Taliban forces. List said of the incident, "I felt the impact go through my jaw, and the next thing I knew I was on my back. I thought that was it. Kate appeared from nowhere, reassuring me everything would be ok". List was later airlifted to hospital by Merlin helicopter.
Nesbitt returned from Afghanistan three weeks after the ambush, at the end of her tour. Nesbitt next met List back in England in May 2009, at a medals parade for 1 RIFLES at their Chepstow
Chepstow
Chepstow is a town in Monmouthshire, Wales, adjoining the border with Gloucestershire, England. It is located on the River Wye, close to its confluence with the River Severn, and close to the western end of the Severn Bridge on the M48 motorway...
barracks, the first time he was able to speak, and thank Nesbitt.
Award
Nesbitt's award was first announced on 11 September 2009. Both List and Nesbitt attended the Devon Festival of Remembrance at the University of ExeterUniversity of Exeter
The University of Exeter is a public university in South West England. It belongs to the 1994 Group, an association of 19 of the United Kingdom's smaller research-intensive universities....
on 5 November 2009. Nesbitt also read the citation during the Royal British Legion's Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall
Royal Albert Hall
The Royal Albert Hall is a concert hall situated on the northern edge of the South Kensington area, in the City of Westminster, London, England, best known for holding the annual summer Proms concerts since 1941....
in London on Saturday 7 November 2009.
Nesbitt was presented with her Military Cross by Prince Charles
Charles, Prince of Wales
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay...
on 27 November 2009 at Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace
Buckingham Palace, in London, is the principal residence and office of the British monarch. Located in the City of Westminster, the palace is a setting for state occasions and royal hospitality...
. Nesbitt's citation read:
Nesbitt's actions throughout a series of offensive operations were exemplary; under fire and under pressure her commitment and courage were inspirational and made the difference between life and death. She performed in the highest traditions of her service.
See also
- Helmand province campaignHelmand province campaignThe Helmand province campaign is a series of military operations conducted by ISAF forces against Taliban insurgents in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan...
- List of British military decorations
- List of British gallantry awards for the War in Afghanistan
- List of people from Plymouth
- Royal Navy Medical Branch
- Women in the military