Lieutenant Patrick Richardson was an outstanding student during his time on the Commando 1 (Cdo1) course (conversion to Merlin) delivered by the Operational Conversion Flight of 846 Naval Air Squadron (NAS). From the outset, his exemplary leadership and management capabilities caught the attention of the instructional staff who appointed him Cdo1 course leader for the initial stage of training. This can be an unenviable role and demands a commitment over and above that ordinarily expected of a student. He took on this responsibility with gusto and delivered a combination of enduring proactive management of his course mates with effective communication to the Operational Conversion Flight instructors and wider squadron staff. His approach undoubtedly ensured the course seamlessly integrated into the strains of a busy Naval Air Squadron, and a demanding flying course.

In the cockpit Lt Richardson displayed an enthusiasm to learn, clearly demonstrated through his preparation for briefs and flying serials. Noted for his above average handling early on, he coped well with the rigours of the initial serials of the Conversion to Type (CTT) phase and quickly mastered the Procedural Instrument Flying (PIF) techniques of the Merlin 4. However, it was during the later CTT serials where his ability and capacity in the cockpit really came to the fore. Despite a protracted gap since his last night flying sorties, he delivered an ‘Above Average’ performance. During this and the advanced handling phase, his Crew Resource Management (CRM) and captaincy were frequently noted to be in the excess of his peers.

During the Conversion to Role (CTR) phase, Lt Richardson was confronted with multiple challenges. These included mountain-flying in Snowdonia National Park; an embarkation in ‘HMS Queen Elizabeth’ for deck landing and maritime secondary roles training; leading an amphibious assault from ship to shore; and planning and executing a continental navigation detachment to Denmark. The CTR phase culminated in a final exercise with 45 Commando Royal Marines from ‘RM Condor’, where many of these newfound skills were put to the test. Throughout CTR, Lt Richardson’s strong captaincy and CRM were assessed to be ‘Above Average’ - given the complexity of many of the sorties, this achievement is even more notable. Assessed as ‘Good’ during his Final Handling Test, he was awarded the Westlands Trophy for the ‘Best Pilot on Course’.

In isolation, Lt Richardson’s achievements as a student pilot are impressive, however it is in the undertaking of additional responsibilities that makes him deserved of additional recognition.  Always the first to volunteer, he utilised his spare capacity to lead in the delivery of numerous squadron and station activities. He headed the organisation of the most successful Taranto night mess dinner in recent memory, garnering unanimous praise from across RNAS Yeovilton; he also helped to organise the Wardroom Summer Ball, amongst numerous other social functions; and he has engaged tirelessly with the mess committee to oversee improvements to the Wardroom facilities. He even volunteered to help at the Navy Wings hangar, escorting visitors around the resident historic aircraft. Notably, following the untimely death of a member of 846 NAS, he was recognised with a Commanding Officer 846 NAS Award for his role in organising the ‘live streaming’ of the service funeral to family and friends unable to attend in person.

In summary, Lt Richardson’s performance both in and out of the cockpit during his time on the Operational Conversion Flight has been outstanding and he is thoroughly deserving of recognition with the award of the prestigious Glover Trophy.

... of the Sir Alan Cobham Prize

1966/67 Captain F H Hawkins

1968 - 1970  not awarded

1970/71  Captain M A Lewis

1971/72  Captain Hugh Dibley

... of the Sir Alan Cobham Memorial Award

1974/75  G S Vaizey

1975/76  J V Fanning

1976/77  Laith Al-Omar

1977/78  N C Lewton

1978/79  Pavlos Attalides

1979/80  Michael Joseph Sheen

1980/81  David Stanley Balman

1981/82  Paul Tomlinson

1982/83  Rudolf Van Berkel

1983/84  Robert Martinus Page

1984/85  Alan Robert Beurle

1985/86  Lee Boon Hup

1986/87  Chee Tuck Lai

1987/88  Gurmit Singh

1989  not awarded

1989/90  Stephen Riley

1990/91  E D Troy

1991/92  Michael G Edwards

1992/93  Wilson Wai Yin Tang

1993/94  Simon Galvin

1994/95  Candice Hinrichsen

1995/96  Martin Peter Goddard

1996/97  Mark R Bishton

1997/98  Stuart J Geddes

1998/99  Nicholas Talboys

1999/2000  Jacob Sorensen

2000/01  Mark Cameron

2001/02  Richard Driscoll

2002/03  Ilkka A Tahvanainen

2003/04  Donald Nwajei

2004/05  Jessica Mary Telford

2005/06  not awarded

2006/07  Stephen A Robinson

2007/08  Charles Waters

2008/09  Vincent Dusseau

2009/10  Kelly McQuaid

2010/11  Captain David Parker RCAF

2011/12  Glen Robert Harrison

2012/13  Myriam Gardeazabal

2013/14  Flt Lt Jonathan Hubbleday RAF

2014/15  Flt Lt Thomas Hansford RAF

... of the The Glover Trophy

2016  Flt Lt Jennifer A N Boyd BSc MSc RAF

2017  SAC Aaron A Garcha

2018  not awarded

2019  Lt Michael Plant RN

2020  not awarded

2021  Capt James Lowrey AAC

2022  Alexander El Khawaja

2023  Lieutenant Patrick Richardson RN