Historical Diving Society Awards
Six main awards are presented annually at the Society’s Conference to those who, in the opinion of the judges, are best qualified to receive any particular trophy. Trophies may be awarded to individuals or organisations who may or may not be members of the Society.
Not all trophies are awarded every year.
The Historical Diving Society Award
Awarded to the member(s) who has (have) done the most to contribute to the work and promotion of the Society during the previous 12 months.
Reg Vallintine Award
Awarded to the person(s) who has (have) accomplished diving achievements which are, or will become, part of diving history. These may be achieved through the organisation of expeditions, research projects or publications.
The trophy was presented to the Society in 1994 by Reg Vallintine, pioneer diver, author and co-founder of the HDS. It is a full-size representation of the 1832 Deane helmet which the winner holds for one year.
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Awarded to the person(s) who has (have) made an important and significant contribution to the literature of diving history in the form of published article(s) or as a book.
The trophy is an engraved transparent plaque depicting Halley’s diving bell. Art Bachrach (1923-2011) was Director of the Environmental Stress Program at the Naval Medical Research Institute, Bethesda, USA and an enthusiastic member of the Society.
Frank Oschman Trophy
Awarded in recognition of the person(s) who has/have made a significant contribution to the preservation, renovation and use of historical diving equipment.
Frank Oschman was an early member of the Society, and a respected enthusiast of historical working equipment. He died in 1993.
Nautiek Trophy
Awarded for an exhibition which has done the most to further the knowledge of diving history to the general public whether as a unique exhibition in the previous year or as an on-going display.
The Nautiek Trophy was presented to the Historical Diving Society in 1997 by Jan de Groot (owner of the Dutch company Nautiek – a supplier of historical diving equipment). It is a 1/10th scale model of the Dutch Navy version of a Siebe Gorman helmet. It was first awarded in 1998 and is held by the winner for one year.
Graham Hullett Award
Awarded to a non-member(s) who has (have) done the most to contribute to the work and promotion of the Society during the previous 12 months.
It is a wooden model of a standard dress helmet and was presented to the Society by Phil and Jane Thurtle. Father Graham Hullett was an early and active member of the society, who served as Exhibitions Officer from 1992 to 2000. He died in 2013. The nature of the award is especially appropriate, since Graham’s life as a priest was devoted to helping others.
Awards 2022
Our awards for 2022 will be announced at our Conference on 19 November 2022.
2021
Due to the Covid pandemic, no awards were presented this year.
2020
Due to the Covid pandemic, no awards were presented this year.
2019
The Historical Diving Society Award
Peter Dick, for his editorial work with the Historical Diving Times and International Journal of Diving History
Reg Vallintine Award
Nigel Phillips, for advancing the knowledge of diving through his publication Diving and Underwater Technology 1405–1830
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Nigel Phillips for his book Diving and Underwater Technology 1405–1830
Frank Oschman Trophy
Joe Budd for assisting with the collation, maintenance and servicing of the Bob Campbell Collection of regulators and for the maintenance and repair of numerous HDS and Working Equipment Group items.
Nautiek Trophy
Not awarded this year
2018
The Historical Diving Society Award
Ty Burton, for managing the Working Equipment Group
Reg Vallintine Award
Franz Rothbrust of Germany, for leading a team that designed and built a replica of the early Kreefte diving apparatus
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Joseph Williams of the USA, for his book The Laurentic’s Gold
Frank Oschman Trophy
Tony Marshall, for collating and storing the Bob Campbell bequest
Nautiek Trophy
Stein Paulsen of Norway, for his privately owned museum of diving in Norway
Graham Hullett Award
Helen Rutherford, for her assistance with the museum, volunteers and publicity
2017
The Historical Diving Society Award
Peter Jackson, for many areas of assistance since the society’s formation
Reg Vallintine Award
Frank Murray for pioneering submersible lock-out diving in the North Sea.
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Karina Kowlaska and Justyna Wasiak of Poland for their book Karl Heinrich Klingert: Citizen of Wroclaw
Frank Oschman Trophy
Not awarded
Nautiek Trophy
The Diving Museum, Gosport for the Deane helmet display
Graham Hullett Award
Paula Boraston for Copying services
2016
The Historical Diving Society Award
Ty Burton, for managing the Working Equipment Group
Reg Vallintine Award
Franz Rothbrust of Germany, for leading a team that designed and built a replica of the early Kreefte diving apparatus
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Joseph Williams of the USA, for his book The Laurentic’s Gold
Frank Oschman Trophy
Tony Marshall, for collating and storing the Bob Campbell bequest
Nautiek Trophy
Stein Paulsen of Norway, for his privately owned museum of diving in Norway
Graham Hullett Award
Helen Rutherford, for her assistance with the museum, volunteers and publicity
2015
The Historical Diving Society Award
Geof Smethurst, for long term support to the Society.
Reg Vallintine Award
Dr. Colin Irwin for his work on Britain’s first undersea habitat.
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Bjørn Kahrs of Norway for his history of diving in Norway, Norsk Dykking.
Frank Oschman Trophy
John Salsbury, for the repair and preservation of early demand valves.
Nautiek Trophy
Not awarded.
Graham Hullett Award
Jenny Logan for General assistance.
2014
The Historical Diving Society Award
Nigel Phillips, for project managing the restoration of the former WW2 ARP Bunker, now owned by the Society
Reg Vallintine Award
Innes McCartney for his pioneering work on the history of divers gathering intelligence from WW1 German U-boat wrecks.
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Bob Campbell, for his many published articles on the history and construction of demand valves
Frank Oschman Trophy
Gavin Anthony, for saving early diving equipment due to be scrapped by the Qinetiq company
Nautiek Trophy
To the museum, Suomen Sukellushistoriallinen Yhdistys, HDS Finland
2013
The Historical Diving Society Award
James Thomson, for his work on and at the Museum of Diving
Reg Vallintine Award
Ray Sutcliffe for a lifetime’s work producing films relating to diving history
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Michael Smart of the USA for his book Into the Lion’s Mouth. The story of the Wildrake Diving Accident
Frank Oschman Trophy
David Dekker of the Netherlands, for his restoration and replica work
Nautiek Trophy
The Dragor Museum, Denmark
2012
The Historical Diving Society Award
Gavin Anthony, for his assistance in setting up and running the museum website.
Reg Vallintine Award
Dr. Jim Vorosmarti of the USA for a lifetime’s work at the cutting edge of diving medicine.
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Ben Hellworth of the USA for his book SEALAB. America’s forgotten quest to live and work on the ocean floor.
Frank Oschman Trophy
Phil Thurtle, for the restoration and use of twin-hose demand valves.
Nautiek Trophy
The Diving Museum, Gosport.
2011
The Historical Diving Society Award
Museum Guides, for their work as guides to the Diving Museum visitors
Reg Vallintine Award
Professor Philip James
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Peter Jackson and Philippe Rousseau for their book The Fernez Diving Apparatus
Frank Oschman Trophy
Not awarded
Nautiek Trophy
Aquazoo, Dusseldorf, Germany
2010
The Historical Diving Society Award
Bob Campbell, for demand valve workshops and providing assistance with enquiries in this field, etc.
Reg Vallintine Award
Ivor Howitt for his pioneering work in amateur diving immediately after WW2.
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Michael Fardell for his monograph John Lethbridge. The most successful treasure diver of the eighteenth century.
Frank Oschman Trophy
Doug Saunders, for restoration of an underwater camera housing ex: HMS Vernon and for other restoration work.
Nautiek Trophy
Newton Abbot Town and GWR Museum for their display relating to the eighteenth century diver John Lethbridge.
2009
The Historical Diving Society Award
John & Una Smillie, for standing in as Exhibitions and Merchandise officers.
Reg Vallintine Award
Georges Arnoux for a lifetime spent working and developing commercial diving
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Dr. Peter Earle for his two books, The Wreck of the Almirante. Sir William Phips and the Hispaniola Treasure and Treasure Hunt. Shipwreck, Diving and the Quest for Treasure in an Age of Heroes.
Frank Oschman Trophy
Gary Wallace-Potter, for pump and other restoration work.
Nautiek Trophy
Museum of Underwater Activities, Slovenia
2008
The Historical Diving Society Award
Howard & Diana Dykes, for running the HDS website
Reg Vallintine Award
John Buxton in recognition of his pioneering work in the field of cave diving
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Christopher Swann for his book Commercial Oilfield Diving. An Industrial Adventure.
Frank Oschman Trophy
Dykkehistorisk Selskab (HDS Denmark) for the extensive restoration of their collection.
Nautiek Trophy
Muzeum Nurkowania, Warsaw, Poland
2007
The Historical Diving Society Award
David Tidmarsh & Lawrence Micallef for their assistance to the Working Equipment Group
Reg Vallintine Award
Henri Delauze of France for founding the diving company, Comex.
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Bill Braithwaite for his book Wooden Books of the Royal George and Mary Rose
Frank Oschman Trophy
Bob Campbell, for his work on the restoration and recording of early demand valves.
Nautiek Trophy
History of Diving Museum, Florida, USA
2006
The Historical Diving Society Award
John ‘Pop’ Yarrow, for his assistance to the Working Equipment Group.
Reg Vallintine Award
Lt. Col. Peter Chitty in recognition of his military diving career.
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Verónica Elviro Iñurrieta of Argentina for her book Las Buzos del Puerto de Mar del Plato.
Frank Oschman Trophy
Norsk Dykkehistorisk Forening (HDS Norway), for building and trialling the reproduction of Triewald’s diving bell.
Nautiek Trophy
Dykkehistorisk Selskab (HDS Denmark) for their museum at Ebeltoft.
2005
The Historical Diving Society Award
John Buxton, for his assistance to the Working Equipment Group
Reg Vallintine Award
Dr. Sylvia Earle of the USA for her lifetime achievement in diving and studying marine biology
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Philippe Damon for his book Les Plongeurs de l’Histoire. Naissance de l’Industrie du Scaphandre Français au 19e Siecle. The award was presented to Philippe Damon by Dr. Bachrach.
Frank Oschman Trophy
The staff of Stoney Cove for their assistance to the Working Equipment Groups.
Nautiek Trophy
Royal Navy Submarine Museum, Gosport, for the diving areas of their display and for providing space for the Museum of Diving
2004
The Historical Diving Society Award
Gary Wallace-Potter, for running the Working Equipment Group (South) group
Reg Vallintine Award
George Wookey, MBE in recognition of a military diving career which included a world record deep dive
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Reg Vallintine for his book The Club. The award was presented to Reg Vallintine by Dr. Bachrach.
Frank Oschman Trophy
Ty Burton, for his active participation in and assistance to the Working Equipment Groups.
Nautiek Trophy
HDS Sweden for their museum, the Dykkehuset
2003
The Historical Diving Society Award
Nigel Phillips, for the Monograph series and Journal.
Reg Vallintine Award
Dr. Peter Bennett for a lifetime of work in the forefront of diving medical research
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Jeff Maynard of the USA for his book Divers in Time.
Frank Oschman Trophy
Adrian Barak, for his active participation in and assistance to the Working Equipment Groups.
Nautiek Trophy
Not awarded
2002
The Historical Diving Society Award
The HDS Merchandising team: Lindsay Baker, Una Smillie, Jane Thurtle and Melo Wallace-Potter.
Reg Vallintine Award
Ian Fraser, VC for his mini-submarine attack on a Japanese warship in WW2.
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
John Bailey of Australia for his book The White Divers of Broome.
Frank Oschman Trophy
Alan Down, for the restoration of equipment and its display in Plymouth Aquarium.
Nautiek Trophy
Invensys plc, successors to Siebe, Gorman & Co. Ltd., for donating the contents of the Siebe, Gorman Museum to the Science Museum.
2001
The Historical Diving Society Award
John Hamilton, Records Officer and Archivist
Reg Vallintine Award
André Galerne of France for his pioneering work in commercial diving
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Dr. Claude Robinet and Dr. Luc Guillou of France for their book La plongée autonome. Le temps des pionniers.
Frank Oschman Trophy
John Smillie for his services as Working Equipment Group Officer (North).
Nautiek Trophy
The Whitstable Museum & Gallery, Whitstable, Kent.
2000
The Historical Diving Society Award
Andrea Cordani, for setting up the HDS website.
Reg Vallintine Award
Dr. Robert Sténuit of Belgium.
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Professor Trevor Norton for his book Stars Beneath the Sea, the extraordinary lives of the inventors of diving.
Frank Oschman Trophy
Cliff Hares, a member of the Historical Diving Society, for his long term support to the Working Equipment Groups, by loaning equipment, etc.
Nautiek Trophy
The Naval Undersea Museum, Washington, U.S.A.
1999
The Historical Diving Society Award
Phil Thurtle, for his assistance at Rallies & Exhibitions
Reg Vallintine Award
Philippe Rousseau of France
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Michael Jung of Germany for his trilogy of books on early German diving pioneers, Karl Heinrich Klingert, Joseph August Schultes and Peter Kreeft. The external representative was Peter Nielsen of HDS Denmark.
Frank Oschman Trophy
Chief Petty Officer Mark Jeffrey of the South African Navy, a member of HDS South Africa, for restoring a Siebe Gorman 12 bolt set and pump from ‘display only’ to full working order.
Nautiek Trophy
Museo Nazionale della Attivita’ subacquee, Ravenna, Italy.
1998
The Historical Diving Society Award
Adrian Barak, Committee & Working Equipment Group work.
Reg Vallintine Award
Clive Gardener.
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Torrance Parker of America for his book 20,000 Jobs Under the Sea. A History of Diving and Underwater Engineering.
Frank Oschman Trophy
Peter & Cheryl Wingett, members of the Historical Diving Society and active participants in the Working Equipment Group.
Nautiek Trophy
Musée du Scaphandre et les inventions Rouquayrol Denayrouze, Espalion, France.
1997
The Historical Diving Society Award
Jim Hutchison, for his assistance with Working Equipment Rallies.
Reg Vallintine Award
Lt.Cmd ‘Bill’ Filer, RN (ret) in recognition of his military diving career.
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Dr. John Bevan for the published version of his Doctoral thesis on the Deanes, The Infernal Diver.
1996
The Historical Diving Society Award
Mike Watts, Working Equipment Officer.
Reg Vallintine Award
Dr. John Bevan.
Dr. Art Bachrach Literary Award
Daniel David of France, for his articles on Lemaire D’Augerville, Dr.Guillemet and Georges Commeinhes which appeared in the Historical Diving Times.
1995
The Historical Diving Society Award
Brian Cooper, for his fundraising work for the Society.
Reg Vallintine Award
Sir John Rawlins for a lifetime’s work at the cutting edge of diving medicine.
1994
The Historical Diving Society Award
Francis Edwards and Patricia Law for their work as Society archivists.
Reg Vallintine Award
Professor Hans Hass.
1993
The Historical Diving Society Award
Father Graham Hullett for his work as Exhibitions Officer.
1992
The Historical Diving Society Award
Leslie Leaney, for setting up the HDS, USA.
