First class Daniel ready for life on the ocean wave on the Navy's largest ever ship

Able Seaman First Class Daniel Crawshaw is the pride of his hometown as he prepares to serve on Britain's newest and largest ever aircraft carrier.
Able Seaman Daniel Crawshaw of Burnley who is serving on HMS Queen Elizabeth, Britains largest ever aircraft carrier (s)Able Seaman Daniel Crawshaw of Burnley who is serving on HMS Queen Elizabeth, Britains largest ever aircraft carrier (s)
Able Seaman Daniel Crawshaw of Burnley who is serving on HMS Queen Elizabeth, Britains largest ever aircraft carrier (s)

HMS Queen Elizabeth, which is currently being built in Rosyth Dock on the River Forth near Edinburgh, is also the largest ship the Royal Navy has ever operated. And it is Daniel’s job to make sure that all the kit and equipment needed to build the massive vessel is ready and above board.

Daniel, who is 30 and from the Rosegrove area of Burnley, began his career with the Royal Navy in 2006 after completing his Public Services National Certificate at Burnley College.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Since progressing from his course, he has been responsible for the stores and logistics of Britain’s newest aircraft carriers, including HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales.

Daniel Crawshaw with his classDaniel Crawshaw with his class
Daniel Crawshaw with his class

The impressive HMS Queen Elizabeth, which is scheduled to embark on active service in summer, 2017, will have enough room on her nine-decked hulls to transport 36 F-35 Lightning fighter jets and will be Britain’s largest ever aircraft carrier, standing more than 70 meters tall – as tall as Nelson’s Column.

During this period of construction Daniel has been spending his spare time returning home to teach

at the Burnley and Rossendale Sea Cadets where he intends to continue volunteering until he returns to the sea. Daniel’s career with the Royal Navy has taken him around the world to South America, Europe and the Middle East on humanitarian, anti-piracy and smuggling patrols.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Most recently, he took part in exercise Black Alligator 2015 in the Mojave Desert in California with

Daniel Crawshaw and his teamDaniel Crawshaw and his team
Daniel Crawshaw and his team

42 Commando Royal Marines which involved working with other units from across Britain including

24 Commando Royal Engineers, 29 Commando Royal Artillery and Commando Helicopter Force and incorporating elements of the Royal Netherland Marine Corps and the US Marine Corps.

The three month long deployment honed Daniel’s desert survival skills in temperatures in excess of 45 degrees Celsius where he was responsible for providing all the units with the kit and equipment required, from sandbags and spare uniforms to ammunition and rations.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Daniel paid tribute to staff at Burnley College Sixth Form Centre for helping him to achieve his dream.

Daniel Crawshaw with his classDaniel Crawshaw with his class
Daniel Crawshaw with his class

He said: “The tutors really helped me to cement my goals and my direction and passing my Public Services National Certificate gave me the opportunity to make my way into the ranks of the Royal Navy.

“My time with the Royal Navy has been truly incredible and I’ve achieved so much with them. The operations I’ve been a part of, including Black Alligator 2015, have encouraged me to push even harder to reach my dreams and now I can’t wait to getback out on the seas. Being a part of the crew maintaining and utilising the HMS Queen Elizabeth, the largest ever British Naval vessel, is a huge privilege and I’m looking forward to starting my work with her.”

Principal of Burnley College Hugh Bramwell said: “Daniel’s hard work and dedication to his goals paired with the strong support and guidance from his tutors have seen him thrive in the career of his dreams and it’s inspiring to hear how much he has achieved.That he is continuing to give back to his local community back in Burnley within the Sea Cadets is the icing on the cake. We’re all exceptionally proud of his achievements and wish him all the best with the launching of HMS Queen Elizabeth and what lies ahead.”