Royal Navy stalwart honoured for more than 50 years of service

The Naval Base Commander of HMNB Devonport, Brigadier Mike Tanner ADC OBE RM, presenting Dave Trigger MBE his Imperial Service Medal in Devonport Naval Base
The Naval Base Commander of HMNB Devonport, Brigadier Mike Tanner ADC OBE RM, presenting Dave Trigger MBE his Imperial Service Medal in Devonport Naval Base -Credit:UK Ministry of Defence


A Devonport Dockyard stalwart has been honoured for more than half a century of exemplary service. Dave Trigger was presented with the Imperial Service Medal at a special ceremony in HMNB Devonport.

The award recognises his years of work in both Devonport Dockyard and across the Plymouth area. The Imperial Service Medal is affiliated with the Imperial Service Order and is one of the UK’s highest commendations to be awarded in recognition of loyal service with the Civil Service.

Dave was presented with the medal by Naval Base Commander of Devonport, Brigadier Mike Tanner ADC OBE, who praised him on his distinguished and valuable service of over 52 years to the Royal Navy.

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Dave started his career at Royal William Yard in 1971, when it was still the main victualling and stores yard in Plymouth supporting Naval and Royal Marine Units as well as supplying food and clothing for the ships away from base.

He recalled: “It was physically hard work. We’d receive bulk loads of clothing and uniforms that needed sorting. I learnt so much about badges, kit for different climates, the variety of sizes needed, protective clothing and how we despatched out to a Fleet around the world."

In 1975 Dave moved into the Dockyard and started working in food supply and moving towards using more frozen victuals for the ships. He said a particular proud period came in 1982 during the Falklands campaign, when ships were stored up and turned around in record times to join the Task Group in the South Atlantic.

He also worked at the Royal Navy’s Supply Depot at Wrangaton, near Ivybridge. Vast quantities of stores were shipped here from across the country and repackaged for the Navy.

The Naval Base Commander of HMNB Devonport, Brigadier Mike Tanner ADC OBE RM and team members of the dockyard with Dave Trigger MBE and his wife
The Naval Base Commander of HMNB Devonport, Brigadier Mike Tanner ADC OBE RM and team members of the dockyard with Dave Trigger MBE and his wife -Credit:MoD

Dave added: "I returned to the Dockyard in 2002 and became the Wharfmaster. The sea flows through my veins, I’d grown up near the sea and had been a Lifeguard at Bigbury in my younger days, as well as an Auxiliary Coastguard and served on the Plymouth Lifeboat; my roots have always been touching the water.”

Dave was rewarded with an MBE and a trip to Buckingham Palace in 2006 and served as the HMNB Devonport Wharfmaster until his retirement from the Civil Service in 2022.