British diver who helped rescued Thai football team from cave receives MBE at Buckingham Palace

KATY CLIFTON

 

Vernon Unsworth with his MBE ( PA )

 

A diver from north-west London who last year battled to save the football team trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand has been made an MBE for his heroic actions. 

 

Vernon Unsworth, from Walthamstow, was among the team who helped save the 12 boys who became trapped deep inside the Tham Luang cave network by a flash flood in June last year.

 

The financial consultant was honoured for his service to cave diving on Wednesday at Buckingham Palace and described the experience in the Chiang Rai province as “very humbling and fascinating”.

 

But the 64-year-old’s heroics led to an extraordinary feud with Tesla chief Elon Musk after the rescue, over which he is suing the billionaire businessman for libel. 

 

Full story: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/british-diver-who-helped-rescued-thai-football-team-from-cave-receives-mbe-at-buckingham-palace-a4165846.html

 

-- Evening Standard 2019-06-13

Good. Many congratulations.

Congrats. Well deserved. I believe he is a caver and not a diver, as reported.

Excellent news and an award he thoroughly deserves.

I hope he will also be receiving a substantial payout from a foul mouthed billionaire in due course, which he also thoroughly deserves too.

What so no mention of the Divers just Unsworth?
From what I understand Vernon Unsworth didn't do any Diving but his knowledge of the caves from his hobby caving there was helpful to the rescue.

3 minutes ago, monkfish said:

What so no mention of the Divers just Unsworth?
From what I understand Vernon Unsworth didn't do any Diving but his knowledge of the caves from his hobby caving there was helpful to the rescue.

The others have also received their honours from the Queen.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-46701833

Edited June 13, 20197 yr by chickenslegs

Great. Well deserved.

As a sidenote, though: is the British Empire still functional?

10 minutes ago, MaksimMislavsky said:

Great. Well deserved.

As a sidenote, though: is the British Empire still functional?

No. It's hiding in a cave in Wales. 

2 hours ago, webfact said:

Vernon Unsworth, from Walthamstow.

I wonder if he drives a Tesla?

2 hours ago, mackayae said:

Congrats. Well deserved. I believe he is a caver and not a diver, as reported.

 

That is correct. A caver who had detailed knowledge of that particular cave which proved invaluable.

 

In addition to being the one who advised early on calling in the cave diving experts,whom he knew by name and reputation and thus could specifically steer the Thai authorities to,  he helped guide efforts  throughout the operation with his first hand knowledge of the cave.

30 minutes ago, MaksimMislavsky said:

Great. Well deserved.

As a sidenote, though: is the British Empire still functional?

Not really, although the title remains in the honours system.

 

After all, if you are, here in Thailand, invested into the "Order of the White Elephant", it doesn't mean you are turned into a heffalump!

????

25 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

That is correct. A caver who had detailed knowledge of that particular cave which proved invaluable.

 

In addition to being the one who advised early on calling in the cave diving experts,whom he knew by name and reputation and thus could specifically steer the Thai authorities to,  he helped guide efforts  throughout the operation with his first hand knowledge of the cave.

Correct.

 

About time the news media did some simple research rather than using simple minded writers for these not too complex stories. 

Edited June 13, 20197 yr by Artisi

1 hour ago, chickenslegs said:

The others have also received their honours from the Queen.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-46701833

As wasn't published in the original Story lets not forget these guys as well

John Volanthen = George Medal
Richard Stanton = George Medal
Chris Jewell = Queen’s gallantry medals
Jason Mallinson = Queen’s gallantry medals
Vern Unsworth = MBE
Joshua Bratchley = MBE

L/Cpl Connor Roe = MBE
 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

A diver from north-west London

 

3 hours ago, webfact said:

Vernon Unsworth, from Walthamstow,

Eh .! Have they relocated Walthamstow now .. 

Well done Mr Unsworth, 100% deserved.

31 minutes ago, monkfish said:

As wasn't published in the original Story lets not forget these guys as well

John Volanthen = George Medal
Richard Stanton = George Medal
Chris Jewell = Queen’s gallantry medals
Jason Mallinson = Queen’s gallantry medals
Vern Unsworth = MBE
Joshua Bratchley = MBE

L/Cpl Connor Roe = MBE
 

Yes. The New Year's Honours will have been presented over a series of investitures, I suspect this would be one of the last.

 

The George Medals and Queen's Gallantry Medals will have been presented for personal bravery, the MBEs for overall contribution to the rescue operation.

2 hours ago, JAG said:

After all, if you are, here in Thailand, invested into the "Order of the White Elephant"

White elephants (partly at least) presumably do occur and are deemed highly auspicious, albeit uncommon.

Would definitely prefer to MBE

4 hours ago, MaksimMislavsky said:

Great. Well deserved.

As a sidenote, though: is the British Empire still functional?

Possibly not at the moment (British Commonwealth) but could be after the UK leaves the EU and we trade with the World.

From Thailand?

Congratulations, at last someone who deserves it rather than someone who has made a fortune from selling records.

 

7 hours ago, MaksimMislavsky said:

Great. Well deserved.

As a sidenote, though: is the British Empire still functional?

Barely. I'm glad I fled the scene many years ago.????

7 hours ago, Wilsonandson said:

The look in his face priceless: do not stick that needle too deep please 555

Just now, CHdiver said:

The look in his face priceless: do not stick that needle too deep please 555

"Please don't stick it where the sun doesn't shine".

 

Congratulations Vern.  This will give the Musk rats crinkly mouths.

 

 

Edited June 13, 20197 yr by ballpoint

For those not British: Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE).

Is it allowed to enquire if someone knows if the guys were honoured in the same way by Thailand?

I understand that they received some form of honor,given in front of a portrait of the King ! 

Nice recognition for a job well done.

Well done that man. No doubt mum Vera will be very proud. And kudos to the Brits for not leaving him out of the honours - his contribution to the operation was invaluable.