Vincentian Sailor’s hurricane assistance earns him an MBE from The King

A sailor who used his naval expertise to help his native Caribbean island when hit by a one of the most powerful storms of recent years has been made a MBE for his selfless efforts.

Ashta ‘Ash’ McMillan was on leave visiting family and friends in St Vincent and the Grenadines in July 2024 when Hurricane Beryl swept through the region.

Classed as a Category 5 storm with winds reaching 165mph, Beryl left eight people dead and caused an estimated £170m damage across the small island chain – home to 100,000 souls.

Thousands of people were displaced and needed evacuating, while on some islands which bore the brunt of Beryl’s wrath, nine in ten homes were destroyed.

Ash, a logistician with 20 years’ experience in the Royal Navy under his belt, immediately drew upon that – all Royal Navy personnel go through regular disaster relief training, which has frequently been put into practice particularly in the Caribbean.

In Ash’s case, thanks to his personal energy, commitment, leadership and determination, he helped to coordinate the relief effort by a significant number of organisations, from the island’s government to international agencies.

In the words of his citation to be named a Member of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (thankfully shortened to MBE), “his swift actions saved lives, providing comfort and aid to devastated communities. His bravery and courage in the face of particular adversity, reflects the highest standards that underpin the Royal Navy’s core values.”

For the 44-year-old, who recently earned his commission as a sub lieutenant and is completing his training as a logistics officer at the Defence School of Logistics and Administration at Worthy Down, near Winchester, he hopes his MBE can inspire others, demonstrating that whatever your background and start in life, it should never limit what you can achieve.

“Receiving this award was an unexpected and deeply humbling honour,” he said. “In the Royal Navy we’re trained to step forward in times of need without looking for recognition, and supporting my fellow Vincentians in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl was simply the right thing to do.

“Being able to help my country at such a critical moment, and to raise awareness of what people were facing back home, meant a great deal to me.”

Originally from Mesopotamia on the island of St Vincent, Ash initially worked in a call centre before deciding he wanted a more challenging and varied career and joined the Royal Navy as a stores accountant (logistician) back in 2003.

In the 22 years of service since, he has deployed with former aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious, frigate Iron Duke, and destroyer HMS Dauntless. He took part in the 2006 evacuation of British citizens from Lebanon, has completed multiple Mediterranean patrols and one of the South Atlantic and helped prepare UK flagship HMS Prince of Wales for her sea trials.

He’s served at every major naval base supporting both surface ships and submarines, and spent a lot of time with the Royal Navy’s longstanding mission in the Middle East, Operation Kipion, from ensuring HMS Lancaster was ready for patrols to planning the decommissioning of minehunters operating in the Gulf, efforts for which he was commended.

Ash lives in Scotland and enjoys spending time with his daughter Aleisha and his partner Emily, as well as hiking the Scottish Munros and swimming.