Firmin Sword of Peace
The Firmin Sword of Peace is an award given to units of the British Armed Forces for activities above and beyond the unit's normal role that improve relations with the community, either within the United Kingdom, or overseas.
The award was established by British swordmaker Wilkinson Sword in 1966, with the company presenting a ceremonial sword to one unit each of the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force; each unit having been judged as making the most outstanding contribution to community relations within each service during the calendar year.
An award can be shared between multiple units on the same operation: for example, the 1998 Navy award was presented to the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ships and for their involvement in Operation Teller. The award can also be shared with foreign military units: the frigates and received the 1983 Navy Sword of Peace after a series of port visits made by the two ships to African nations sparked several diplomatic initiatives. From 1994 onwards, the company began presenting a fourth sword to any joint-service unit or ad hoc single-operation unit that met the criteria for the award. Unlike the awards for the three services, the "Special" sword was only presented if such a unit existed and was deemed worth recognising.
After Wilkinson stopped the production of swords in 2005, Firmin & Sons began sponsoring the award. Awards since 2005 have been made as follows:
| Year | Royal Navy | Army | RAF | Joint Service |
| 2005 | International Mine Action Training Centre Royal Engineers | RAF Linton on Ouse | No Award | |
| 2006 | No Award | Support Battalion Headquarters Allied Rapid Reaction Corps | RAF Shawbury | Joint Service Signal Unit |
| 2007 | 39 Engineer Regiment | RAF Aldergrove | RAF Digby | |
| 2008 | Northern Diving Group | 24 Field Squadron Royal Engineers | RAF Shawbury | Joint Service Signal Unit |
| 2009 | No Award | No Award | RAF High Wycombe | The Military Stabilisation Support Group |
| 2010 | RFA Largs Bay | 64 Works Group Royal Engineers | RAF Shawbury | Joint Force Command Brunssum |
| 2011 | No Award | No Award | RAF Leeming | 15 Psychological Operations Group |
| 2012 | First Patrol Boat Squadron | No Award | RAF Cosford | No Award |
| 2013 | No Award | RAF Brize Norton | ||
| 2014 | No Award | 5 Armoured Medical Regiment | RAF Search and Rescue Force | No Award |
| 2015 | 2 Signal Regiment | The RAF Police | The Defence Cultural Specialist Unit | |
| 2016 | No Award | 11 Regiment Royal Logistic Corps | RAF Marham | No Award |
Additionally in 2014 a Special Achievement Award was made to the Gurkha Welfare Scheme.