The Duke of Cambridge presided over an Investiture at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, presenting awards to cricketers and naval heroes,among others.
Leading Seaman David Groves received The Queen’s Gallantry Medal after helping to save the lives of 27 men aboard a burning ship in the Bay of Biscay. LS Groves and the crew of the HMS Argyll helped when the Grande America’s cargo caught fire.
Speaking to the Press Association following the Investiture, LS Groves said of the rescue, “Travelling from the Argyll to the Grande America was quite intense. At one minute you couldn’t see at all, because there was a wall of water.”
He said that The Duke of Cambridge praised his bravery, “He said it was good for everyone to hear my story, and that’s why they had done it, so he was just congratulating me. I’m obviously proud. It’s good to be recognised for these things, as there’s other people that do similar rescues.
“It’s good to be recognised and hopefully it gets done more.”
England hero Ben Stokes, who has just been named Best Cricketer of the Year by the ICC, received an OBE from William for services to the sport. The captain who guided England to its first ever Cricket World Cup win, Eoin Morgan, was made a CBE. Other cricketers also received honours: former coach, Trevor Bayliss was made an OBE while players, Jos Buttler and Joe Root, received MBEs.
Stokes, who did not speak to reporters afterwards, received his honour for the role he played in clinching England’s win at the World Cup last summer.
Another recipient, Boo Findlay, a Year 6 teacher and Assistant Head in Cornwall, received her MBE. She posted on Twitter, “Yesterday I collected my MBE from the Duke of Cambridge; it was such a privilege and he was so warm and genuine. It was like a fairytale; I still can’t quite believe it. All of the staff at Buckingham Palace made us feel so welcome [and] put us at ease. Thank you!”
