Former actor Will Haigh captured this image of 40 Commando Royal Marines, which carried out Exercise Dune Escape in Braunton Burrows, Devon. Pictured is Sgt Michael ‘Taff’ Francis of Alpha Company Fire Support Group [Crown Copyright]
Leading Airman Photographer Will Haigh, 31, triumphed at the annual Peregrine Trophy awards, which are billed as the Royal Navy’s equivalent of the Oscars.
As a teenager, Haigh played Coronation Street character Glen Middleham from November 2000 to January 2001. He also appeared in Holby City and That Peter Kay Thing.
Currently based at Faslane, Scotland, Haigh first worked in mine warfare, before transferring to the photographic branch in 2011. He also served two years with the Royal Marines, taking him to places such as Saudi Arabia and the west coast of Africa.
Haigh is one of 41 Royal Navy photographers who originally join the force as a sailor, working in areas such as logistics, engineering, or as a warfare specialist.
‘After excelling in their chosen field they can then apply to join the elite photographic branch,’ a Royal Navy spokesman explained.
Will’s portfolio also documented HMS Lancaster’s visit to Lagos, Nigeria. The aim was to work with the Nigerian Navy, to improve maritime security in the Gulf of Guinea. The Royal Marines Boarding Team, accompanied by the US Marine Corp team, conducted boarding and search training at the Joint Maritime and Surveillance Training Centre. Pictured is Marine Chase, during a boarding exercise
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The competition, which dates back to 1961 and is also open to amateurs, pulled in 255 entries.
Commenting on this year’s submissions, the head of the Royal Navy’s Photographic Branch, captain Ian Stidston, said: ‘I could not be more proud of the Navy’s photographers who have managed to capture compelling still and moving images that vividly tell the story of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines on operations.’
He added: ‘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 Amateur Open Category Award, for the single best photograph of an RN/RM theme that combines creativity and impact, was won by warrant officer Richard White
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The Peregrine Trophy, which is awarded to the best section or unit, was won by Fleet Regional Photographic Unit (East), based in Portsmouth, Hampshire.
The Peregrine Trophy is named after the now-closed HMS Peregrine Royal Naval Air Station at Ford, West Sussex.
The Best Maritime Image Award was won by leading airman photographer ‘Simmo’ Simpson. The prize rewards the best photograph depicting Royal Navy equipment, including ships, submarines, weapon systems and other maritime-focused images. Here, HMS Dauntless visits the port of Gibraltar as the last planned port visit of her current deployment.
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The People’s Choice Award was awarded to photographer Joel Rouse whose picture was shortlisted by ‘Navy News’, and then voted for by the public. This shot depicts Black Alligator, an annual exercise held at Twentynine Palms Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Centre in the USA, where the Royal Marines train alongside their American and Dutch counterparts.
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The Commandant General Royal Marines’ Prize is awarded for the best section or unit portfolio of four images, depicting the Royal Marines continuous amphibious and expeditionary readiness. This photo was taken by photographer Donny Osmond of the Navy Mobile News Team. It shows a beach-assault training exercise in Harstad, Norway
[Crown Copyright]
