The inaugural search to find the best soldier or Junior NCO in the British Army has concluded, with Cpl Luke O’Neill receiving the very first Fitzgibbon Award.

The 31-year-old, who serves with Chepstow-based 1st Battalion, The Rifles, was selected from a raft of exemplary candidates who had all met the accolade’s wide-ranging criteria relating to professional excellence.

A driving force in establishing a drone capability within B Company, his citation highlighted how he immediately hit the ground running as a section commander following a posting at the Soldier Academy North (Catterick).

As well as excelling in the field, Cpl O’Neill was praised for his efforts in calling out inappropriate behaviour and prioritising the welfare of his fellow personnel. After recognising that several riflemen would be spending Christmas Day alone on camp, he took it upon himself to book a venue, apply for funding and organise entertainment, drinks and food for a celebration.

He then patrolled the barracks on Christmas morning, while his family waited at home, to encourage others to join him, resulting in 20 personnel coming together, forming all-important bonds.

But collective support was not his only focus and after seeing a young soldier struggling to adapt to the demands of army life, he invested time in getting to know the individual and then spent evenings and weekends integrating them into the team.

The Fitzgibbon Award is named after the army’s youngest ever Victoria Cross winner, 15-year-old Andrew Fitzgibbon, who received he accolade for his actions in the Second Opium War in 1860.

Cpl O’Neill was presented with an exclusive, custom-made watch by Chief of the General Staff, Gen Sir Roly Walker, during the Meritorious Service Medal presentation at Sandhurst last month. He invited wife Kathleen and younger brother Rfn Joe O’Neill, who serves in 3 Rifles, to accompany him on the day