A naval officer who grew up in Ilkley has been awarded a CBE in the New Year’s Honours List.

Commodore Chris Steel was appointed Commander of the British Empire in recognition of 35 years service in the Royal Navy and most recently for his work as commander of the Maritime Reserves.

The former Ilkley Grammar School pupil followed in his grandfather’s footsteps to join the navy in 1975, training as a submarine weapon engineer officer.

He went on to hold key roles in underwater naval operations, helping to prepare the submarine response during the first Gulf War, and serving in the Arctic, Mediterranean and North Atlantic. Promoted to captain in 2003, he took on recruitment and personnel posts, becoming a commodore in command of the Maritime Reserves in 2008. In 2009, he was appointed aide-de-camp to the Queen.

Commodore Steel, who lives in Plymouth with his wife and two children, was one of two brothers to follow the family naval tradition.

Mum Barbara Steel, who works in The Grove Bookshop in Ilkley, said she was over the moon when she found out about the honour.

“I’m absolutely over the top proud,” she said. “He’s extremely dedicated to the navy because his grandfather was career navy and I think he grew up with that in his mind.”

Commander Steel, who will leave the navy in May when he reaches the compulsory retirement age of 55, said: “I have been on a high since finding out about the honour.

“When I joined the service as a 19-year-old, I never thought I would receive something like this. I just concentrated on getting through Dartmouth and never really looked any more than a couple of years ahead. This was a complete surprise and I am extremely proud.”

A BURLEY-IN-WHARFEDALE man’s services to accountancy and business has been recognised in the New Year’s Honours List.

Richard John Bottomley, a senior partner at finance giant KPMG, has been made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).