{{Short description|English Naval pharmacy technician}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Infobox military person | name = Kate Nesbitt | image = | caption = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|04|21|df=yes}}<ref name=TheHerald11Sep2009MCForPlymouthMedic/><ref name=BBC11Sep2009NavyWomanAwardedMC/> | death_date = | birth_place = Plymouth, England | death_place = | burial_place = | nickname = | allegiance = {{flag|United Kingdom}} | branch = {{navy|United Kingdom}} | service_years = 2005–present | rank = Chief Petty Officer<ref>{{cite web|title=HMS Protector is home from Antarctica|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2015/may/12/20150512-protector-home|publisher=Royal Navy|date=12 May 2015|accessdate=5 May 2016}}</ref> | service_number = | unit = HMNB Devonport | commands = | battles = War in Afghanistan | battles_label = | awards = Military Cross | relations = | other_work = }} '''Kate Louise Nesbitt'''<ref name=LondonGazette11Sep2009KateLouiseNesbittMC/> MC (born 21 April 1988)<ref name=TheHerald11Sep2009MCForPlymouthMedic/><ref name=BBC11Sep2009NavyWomanAwardedMC/> is a pharmacy technician in the Royal Navy. Nesbitt was the first female member of the Royal Navy, and the second woman in the British Armed Forces, to be awarded the Military Cross (MC). The award was a result of her actions in Afghanistan in March 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/plymouth-royal-navy-medic-recalls-3027291|title = Moment Royal Navy medic saved soldier's life while under fire|date = 27 June 2019}}</ref>
==Personal life== Nesbitt is from Whitleigh in Plymouth, Devon and was educated at Sir John Hunt Community College in Whitleigh.<ref name=TheHerald11Sep2009MCForPlymouthMedic/><ref name=UKPA27Nov2009ProudestDay/> 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.<ref name=TheHerald11Sep2009MCForPlymouthMedic/><ref name=RoyalNavyNewsMedicalAssistantToReceiveMC/> She is {{height|ft=5}} tall.<ref name=UKPA27Nov2009ProudestDay/>
==Military career== Nesbitt joined the Royal Navy in 2005.<ref name=RoyalNavyNewsMedicalAssistantToReceiveMC/> 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.<ref name=BASICSTrainsMilitaryLifeSaver/> After medical training, she served at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, followed by a posting aboard the Type 42 destroyer HMS ''Nottingham''.<ref name=RoyalNavyNewsMedicalAssistantToReceiveMC/>
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.<ref name=TheHerald11Sep2009MCForPlymouthMedic/> 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).<ref name=BBC11Sep2009NavyWomanAwardedMC/><ref name=RoyalNavyNewsMedicalAssistantToReceiveMC/> (The Royal Navy provides the medical support to 3 Commando Brigade, who are normally based in Plymouth.<ref name=BBC27Nov2009NavyWomanCollectsAward/>)
On her return from Afghanistan, Nesbitt worked in the Surgical Assessment Unit at the Military Hospital Unit in Derriford Hospital, Plymouth.<ref name=UKPA27Nov2009ProudestDay/> (MDHU Derriford<ref name=RoyalNavyNewsMedicalAssistantToReceiveMC/>)
Nesbitt qualified as a Naval pharmacy technician in January 2015 and transferred to the Medical Technician branch in April 2017.
==Military Cross== ===Medal=== thumb|right|upright|The Military Cross The Military Cross is awarded to any rank of the Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force "in recognition of exemplary gallantry during active operations against the enemy on land".<ref name=MODMilitaryCross/> 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.<ref name=BBC11Sep2009NavyWomanAwardedMC/>
===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 forces, 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.<ref name=TheHerald11Sep2009MCForPlymouthMedic/><ref name=BBC11Sep2009NavyWomanAwardedMC/>
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.<ref name=TheHerald11Sep2009MCForPlymouthMedic/><ref name=BBC11Sep2009NavyWomanAwardedMC/><ref name=BBC27Nov2009NavyWomanCollectsAward/> In the mid-afternoon, during a Taliban ambush and ensuing gun-battle, List was shot in the neck.<ref name=TheHerald11Sep2009MCForPlymouthMedic/><ref name=BBC11Sep2009NavyWomanAwardedMC/><ref name=BBC27Nov2009NavyWomanCollectsAward/> 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.<ref name=TheHerald11Sep2009MCForPlymouthMedic/> She administered aid for around 45 minutes, stemming the blood loss, and providing him with another airway.<ref name=TheHerald11Sep2009MCForPlymouthMedic/> During treatment they were subject to gun and rocket fire from the Taliban forces.<ref name=BBC11Sep2009NavyWomanAwardedMC/><ref name=BBC27Nov2009NavyWomanCollectsAward/> List was later airlifted to hospital by Merlin helicopter.<ref name=TheHerald11Sep2009MCForPlymouthMedic/>
Nesbitt returned from Afghanistan three weeks after the ambush, at the end of her tour.<ref name=TheHerald11Sep2009MCForPlymouthMedic/> 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.<ref name=TheHerald11Sep2009MCForPlymouthMedic/>
===Award=== Nesbitt's award was first announced on 11 September 2009.<ref name=BBC11Sep2009NavyWomanAwardedMC/><ref name=LondonGazette11Sep2009KateLouiseNesbittMC/> Both List and Nesbitt attended the Devon Festival of Remembrance at the University of Exeter on 5 November 2009.<ref name=BBC5Nov2009PlymouthRememberanceFestival/> 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.<ref name=BBC7Nov2009QueenAttendsRememberanceEvent/>
Nesbitt was presented with her Military Cross by Prince Charles on 27 November 2009 at Buckingham Palace.<ref name=BBC27Nov2009NavyWomanCollectsAward/> Nesbitt's citation read: <blockquote> 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.<ref name=TheHerald11Sep2009MCForPlymouthMedic/> </blockquote>
==Honours and awards== <div class="center"> 100px 100px <br> 100px 100px 100px 100px </div>
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;" |- style="background:silver;" align="center" |Ribbon || Description || Notes |- |40px || Military Cross (MC) || * November 2009 |- |40px || Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan || * With "AFGHANISTAN" Clasp |- |40px || Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal || * 2012 * UK Version of this Medal |- |40px || Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal || * 2022 * UK Version of this Medal |- |40px || King Charles III Coronation Medal || * 2023 * UK Version of this Medal |- |40px || Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal || * 15 Years of Service in the Royal Navy |- |}
* She won the award for "Most Outstanding Sailor or Marine" at The Sun Military Awards on 21 December 2009.
==See also== * Helmand province campaign * List of British gallantry awards for the War in Afghanistan * List of people from Plymouth * Royal Navy Medical Branch * Women in the military
==Footnotes== {{Reflist |refs=
<ref name=TheHerald11Sep2009MCForPlymouthMedic>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/MILITARY-CROSS-WOMAN-MEDIC/article-1330112-detail/article.html |title=Military Cross for Plymouth woman medic |work=The Herald (Plymouth) |date=11 September 2009 |accessdate=27 November 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308155809/http://www.thisisplymouth.co.uk/news/MILITARY-CROSS-WOMAN-MEDIC/article-1330112-detail/article.html |archivedate=8 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name=BBC11Sep2009NavyWomanAwardedMC>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8251240.stm |title=Navy woman awarded Military Cross |publisher=BBC News |date=11 September 2009 |accessdate=27 November 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928034642/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/8251240.stm |archivedate=28 September 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name=LondonGazette11Sep2009KateLouiseNesbittMC>{{London Gazette|issue=59182|supp=y|page=15640|date=11 September 2009}}</ref>
<ref name=BBC5Nov2009PlymouthRememberanceFestival>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8344612.stm |title=Festival to focus on Afghanistan |publisher=BBC News |date=5 November 2009 |accessdate=27 November 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091112005147/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/8344612.stm |archivedate=12 November 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name=BBC7Nov2009QueenAttendsRememberanceEvent>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8347949.stm |title=Queen attends remembrance event |publisher=BBC News |date=7 November 2009 |accessdate=27 November 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091110001854/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/8347949.stm |archivedate=10 November 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name=BBC27Nov2009NavyWomanCollectsAward>{{Cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/devon/8382575.stm |title=Navy woman collects bravery award |publisher=BBC News |date=27 November 2009 |accessdate=27 November 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091130054637/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/devon/8382575.stm |archivedate=30 November 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name=UKPA27Nov2009ProudestDay>{{Cite news |url=https://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jRlqqdI1PblhVW5PsKJ1CzXaU6Sg |title='Proudest day' for award winner |publisher=Press Association |date=27 November 2009 |accessdate=27 November 2009 |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240524191130/https://www.webcitation.org/5lbQa5NzF?url=http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5jRlqqdI1PblhVW5PsKJ1CzXaU6Sg |archivedate=24 May 2024 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name=RoyalNavyNewsMedicalAssistantToReceiveMC>{{Cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/operations/operations-in-afghanistan/news/navy-medical-assistant-to-receive-the-military-cross |title=Navy Medical Assistant to Receive the Military Cross |publisher=Royal Navy |work=royalnavy.mod.uk > Operations and Support > Global Operations > Operations in Afghanistan > News |date=n.d. |accessdate=27 November 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091206131551/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/operations/operations-in-afghanistan/news/navy-medical-assistant-to-receive-the-military-cross |archivedate=6 December 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name=BASICSTrainsMilitaryLifeSaver>{{Cite web |url=http://www.basics.org.uk/press_area/basics_education_trains_military_lifesaver |title=BASICS Education trains Military lifesaver |publisher=British Association for Immediate Care (BASICS) |work=basics.org.uk – > Press |date=n.d. |accessdate=27 November 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110725180640/http://www.basics.org.uk/press_area/basics_education_trains_military_lifesaver |archivedate=25 July 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
<ref name=MODMilitaryCross>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mod.uk/defenceinternet/defencefor/veterans/medals/militarycrossmc.htm |title=Military Cross (MC) |publisher=Ministry of Defence |work=mod.uk — Medals |date=n.d. |accessdate=27 November 2009 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091122051337/http://www.mod.uk/defenceinternet/defencefor/veterans/medals/militarycrossmc.htm |archivedate=22 November 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nesbitt, Kate}} Category:Living people Category:Royal Navy sailors Category:Female recipients of the Military Cross Category:Military personnel from Plymouth, Devon Category:Royal Navy personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:1988 births Category:British female military personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021) Category:Women in the Royal Navy Category:Combat medics Category:Recipients of the Military Cross