A ROYAL Navy servicewoman based at Faslane has been included in the Queen’s New Year honours list.

Medical assistant petty officer Jessica Metcalfe – currently serving in the health physics group at HM Naval Base Clyde – was made an MBE, not least for stepping in to serve at sea on three occasions to cover fellow medics who were supporting the Covid effort ashore.

She is one of 22 Navy personnel singled out for decorations.

Jessica said: “I was absolutely gobsmacked when I got told. I never saw it coming. It was such a heart-warming feeling to be recognised.

“What you think is just doing your job, for someone else to think it’s more than that - I have not really got to grips with that thought.”

While at sea she arranged for personnel to get mental health training, offered to give advice if they were struggling and ensured morale on board was kept high.

“Being away is very difficult and can be very challenging,” she said.

“Especially during Covid people were struggling. We didn’t have that down time so for me it was very important to ensure the crew had the support they needed.”

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