Grantham-born Army Major named 'Photographer of the Year'

A Grantham-born Army Major has won two photography awards.

Major Mike Thwaite, 39, was named the Amateur Army Photographer of the Year 2019 at an awards night in London last month.

Originally from Barrowby, Mike was nominated in two categories: Best Online Photo voted for by the public and Amateur Soldiering.

The results of the Army Photographic Competition 2019 were announced at the National Army Museum, Chelsea on January 22.

Mike is a former pupil at the Central School and the King’s School, and he is currently on operations commanding A Company 2nd Battalion Parachute Regiment in Afghanistan. Therefore, he unfortunately could not attend the awards.

Instead, Mike’s parents proudly represented him on the night.

Martin Thwaite, Mike’s father, said: “Mike has been a keen photographer since his late teens but this was the first time he had entered a competition; he could not believe it that his photo was amongst those nominated and was speechless when told he had won not one but both categories.

“Mike’s entry into the competition carried off 1st Prize in both nominated categories and it was a fantastic honour to receive his awards from Lorraine Kelly on the night.”

Now based in Colchester when he is in the UK, Mike has served in the Army since 2004 and was commissioned from RMA Sandhurst in 2005.