Albert medal

Some citations I found for the Albert Medal.
Brave men indeed; a few of these cited here were awarded posthumously.

 

From The Times, April 30, 1941:
ALBERT MEDAL FOR TWO SEAMEN

Able Seaman A. MILES

On Decemeber 1, when H.M.S. Saltash was passing from one dock basin to another, a wire was run out from the starboard bow to the weather corner of the gate so as to hold the bow up to the wind. The wire was taken to the windlass, but this was too slow, and men were picking up the slack by hand, leaving some loose turns on the deck. As the ship drew level the order was passed to turn up. The wire was taken from the windlass to the bollards.

Able Seaman Miles saw Able Seaman Thompson standing in a bight of wire and called out to him to get clear, but he failed to do so and the wire drew taught round his ankles. Miles knew that Thompson might be hauled through the bull-ring and that if he himself were caught in the wire he would be in the same danger; yet he tried to force the bight open with his hands. His right hand was jammed between the wire and Thompson's foot. He said nothing and still tried to free his shipmate. The hurt which caused the loss of his hand was not known till later. Thompson was dragged along the deck to the bull-ring, but way was taken off the ship just in time to save him.

 

From The Times, May 17, 1941:

POSTHUMOUS AWARD OF ALBERT MEDAL
Lt.-Cdr. W.E. FLETCHER, R.N., H.M.S. Haslemere

On January 5, 1941, Lt.-Cdr. Fletcher took his ship to the rescue of Miss Amy Johnson, who was piloting an aircraft which had fallen into the sea. Snow was falling and it was bitterly cold. The seas were heavy and a strong tide was running, but he dived in fully clothed. This brave and selfless action, which cost him his life, was typical of the fine spirit which Lt.-Cmd. Fletcher showed at sea and under fire while serving with the Channel Mobile Balloon Barrage.

Lieut-Commander WALTER EDMUND FLETCHER, A.M., H.M.S. Haslemere., Royal Navy who died on 05 January 1941

Son of the Revd. Canon Edward Sumner Bicknell Fletcher, M.A., and of Bertha May Fletcher, of Monks Risborough, Buckinghamshire.

Remembered with honour GILLINGHAM (WOODLANDS) CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: Naval Reservation. Grave 1379.
CWGC :: Casualty Details

 

From The Times, July 11, 1941:

AWARDS FOR NAVAL GALLANTRY

ALBERT MEDAL
Cadet D. Hay

Hay was serving in a merchantman which was sunk by an enemy raider. She was heavily shelled and machine-gunned, and many of her crew were killed. Two boats were got away, but the others were shot to pieces. Those of the crew who were left on board launched two rafts, and just before the ship went down they jumped in and swam for them. Hay reached a raft, but, although sharks were swimming all round him, he dived in again and rescued the radio officer. As he swam back to the raft his clothing was torn by a shark.

See post no. 29 for further information from Hugh

 

From The Times, September 4, 1941:

AWARDS TO THE NAVY
ACTS OF BRAVERY AND ENTERPRISE

ALBERT MEDAL
Ord. Smn. A. HOWARTH, H.M.S. Foresight

He was one of a boat's crew sent to board a burning and abandoned merchantman. The merchantman blew up as they drew near, throwing the boat's crew into the water. Howarth saw a stoker who was badly shaken, so he held him up for 10 minutes until a lifebelt was thrown to him. This he put round the stoker, and before being hauled on board his ship, made sure that this shipmate was safe. When he himself reached the deck, after nearly half an hour in the water, it was seen that his right foot had been blown off.

 

From The Times, September 10, 1941:

NAVAL AWARDS
COMMANDER'S LIFE FOR A STOKER
JUMP INTO ROUGH SEA

ALBERT MEDAL (POSTHUMOUS)
Cdr. Albert Francis George Thomas HALLARAN, R.N. (Retired)

On a very dark night a motor-boat came alongside Cdr. Hallaran's ship to take off the pilot. A swell made this boat roll and pitch heavily, and a stoker was thrown overboard between it and the ship's side. He was seen to be in difficulties, and was in danger of being crushed as the swell kept heaving the boat against the ship. Cdr. Hallaran climbed into the boat, jumped into the sea, and swam round to help him. He got the stoker back to the boat, but as he did so was thrown against it. His skull was fractured and he was drowned before he could be got back on board.


Commander CHARLES FRANCIS GEORGE THOMAS HALLARAN, A.M., H.M.S. Springbank, Royal Navy who died age 43 on 21 March 1941

Son of Colonel William Hallaran and Mrs. Hallaran; husband of Elizabeth Joyce Hallaran, of Worcester.

Remembered with honour BELFAST CITY CEMETERY
Grave/Memorial Reference: Glenalina Extn. Sec. D. Grave 125.
CWGC :: Casualty Details

 

From The Times, November 5, 1941:

AWARDS FOR GALLANTRY
ROYAL NAVY

ALBERT MEDAL (POSTHUMOUS)
Cdr. W.R. MARSHALL-A'DEANE, D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N.

When his ship, H.M.S. Greyhound, was bombed and sunk, Cdr. Marshall-A'Deane was among the survivors picked up by H.M.S. Kandahar. Later H.M.S. Fiji was sunk and H.M.S. Kandahar again went to the rescue. Cdr. Marshall-A'Deane dived overboard in the gathering darkness to rescue the men in the water. He was not seen again.

Commander WALTER ROGER MARSHALL-A'DEANE, D.S.O., D.S.C., A.M., H.M.S. Greyhound., Royal Navy who died age 38 on 22 May 1941
Son of Richard Marshall and of Gertrude Ellen Marshall (nee Temple); husband of Margaret Hamilton Marshall-A'Deane, of Takapau, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.
Remembered with honour PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 45, Column 1.
CWGC :: Casualty Details

 

From The Times, February 18, 1942:
NAVAL HONOURS
POSTHUMOUS AWARDS OF THE ALBERT MEDAL

ALBERT MEDAL (POSTHUMOUS)
Lieut. Charles Allan KEEFER, R.C.N.V.R., H.M.S. Lulworth

H.M.S. Lulworth went to the rescue of survivors from a torpedoed merchantman. The night was dark, with heavy seas running, so that the rescue work was slow and hazardous. As Lulworth was about to abandon search, two men and a woman were found clinging to the wreckage. The men were saved, but as the woman, who was unconscious, was being hauled on board, she slipped from her life-jacket, disappeared below the surface, and came up astern. Lieutenant Keefer at once dived into the sea to try and save her. He reached her, but both were swept away by the heavy seas, and though search was made for an hour, neither was seen again.

Lieutenant CHARLES ALLAN KEEFER A.M., H.M.S. Lulworth., Royal Canadian Navy Volunteer Reserve who died age 30 on 26 August 1941

Son of Mr. and Mrs. Allan Keefer, of Ottawa, Ontario.

Remembered with honour HALIFAX MEMORIAL
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 8.
CWGC :: Casualty Details

 

From The Times, April 29, 1942:

ALBERT MEDAL (POSTHUMOUS)
The Rev. C.C. TANNER, Temp. Chaplain, R.N.V.R., H.M.S. Fiji

When H.M.S. Fiji was sunk in the Battle of Crete he stayed to save the wounded men from the sick bay, and was one of the last to leave the ship. While in the water he spend himself in helping men to rafts and floats, and, when the rescuing ship came up, in bringing over to her disabled men and such as could not swim. At length only one man remained to be brought across. In spite of his exhaustion, Mr Tanner brought him across and saw him safely on board. But when hauled up himself he died within a few minutes.

Chaplain The Rev. CHRISTOPHER CHAMPAIN TANNER, A.M., H.M.S. "Fiji", Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve who died age 32 on 23 May 1941
The Revd. Tanner was the only England Rugby player to win the Albert Medal during the second World War. B.A. (Cantab).
Remembered with honour PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 60, Column 3.
CWGC :: Casualty Details

BBC - WW2 People's War - Kit Tanner: A Hero of the Battle of Crete
Heroes of the Battle of Crete
Christopher Tanner | Rugby Union | Players and Officials | Scrum.com

 

From The Times, June 10, 1942:

NAVAL AWARDS
GALLANTRY AND SKILL

ALBERT MEDAL (POSTHUMOUS)
A/Yeoman of Signals, G.P. McDOWELL
Ldg. Smn. C. HAMBLY

When H.M.S. Kandahar was sinking it was impossible for the rescuing destroyer to go alongside, and she was ordered to lie off and pick up survivors as they abandoned ship. Nets were hung over her side to help survivors to climb on board. McDowell and Hambly swam across to the destroyer, but though they had the strength to reach the deck of the ship as she plunged in the heavy swell, they chose to stay in the water to help those whose force was spent. In this way they saved many men, until they lost all their strength and were drowned.

Leading Signalman GEORGE PATRICK McDOWELL, A.M., D/JX 143268, H.M.S. Kandahar, Royal Navy who died age 22 on 20 December 1941
Son of Hugh and Elizabeth McDowell.
Remembered with honour PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 50, Column 1.
CWGC :: Casualty Details

Leading Seaman CYRIL HAMBLY A.M., D/JX 133/46, H.M.S. Kandahar, Royal Navy who died age 28 on 20 December 1941

Son of James Frederick and Miriam Hambly, of Marhamchurch, Cornwall.
Remembered with honour PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 46, Column 1.
CWGC :: Casualty Details

 

From The Times, September 30, 1942:

MERCHANT NAVY

ALBERT MEDAL (POSTHUMOUS)
George Walter NEWBERY (deceased), third engineer officer

For gallantry in attempting to save life at sea.

Third Engineer Officer GEORGE WALTER NEWBERY A.M., M.V. Christa (London), Merchant Navy who died age 23 on 17 March 1942
Son of Henry W. and Daisy A. Newbery, of Brentwood, Essex.
Remembered with honour TOWER HILL MEMORIAL
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 33.
CWGC :: Casualty Details

 

From The Times, November 14, 1942:

SELFLESS DEVOTION
For great bravery and devotion in saving life at sea:-

ALBERT MEDAL (POSTHUMOUS)
Sto. P/O. J.P. BAIN

He was in charge of a boiler room when it was hit by a 5.1in. shell, which damaged two main steam pipes and filled the compartment with steam. He ordered his shipmate out of the boiler room; but to save his ship and her company from disaster he stayed there to shut off the main and auxiliary feed check valves. Sto. P/O. Bain saved his ship, but his selfless devotion cost him his life.

Petty Officer Stoker JOHN PHILLIP BAIN, A.M., D/K 61978, H.M.S. Foresight, Royal Navy who died age 36 on 02 May 1942

Son of Joseph Charles and Winnifred Bain; husband of Jessica Bain, of St. Budeaux, Devon.

Remembered with honour PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 69, Column 1.
CWGC :: Casualty Details

 

From The Times, December 23, 1942:

GALLANTRY AT SEA
AWARDS FOR NAVAL OPERATIONS
DISTINGUISHED SERVICES

ALBERT MEDAL (POSTHUMOUS)
A/C.P.O. F.W. SMITH

C.P.O. Smith's ship was torpedoed and abandoned. She was settling and likely at any moment to capsize, when somebody was heard calling from her bows. C.P.O. Smith swam back to her, taking a desperate risk to save a comrade, but he was too late, and his gallant action cost him his life.

Petty Officer FREDERICK WILLIAM SMITH C/JX 127402, H.M.S. Grove, Royal Navy who died age 31 on 12 June 1942

Husband of Mrs. Smith, of Gorleston-on-Sea, Norfolk. Albert Medal.

Remembered with honour CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL
Grave/Memorial Reference: 52, 1.
CWGC :: Casualty Details

 

From The Times, January 6, 1943:

MERCHANT NAVY BRAVERY

ALBERT MEDAL
Albert SHEARING, able seaman

For great bravery in saving life at sea.

See post no 30 for more information from Hugh

 

From The Times:
ALBERT MEDAL
John Sedgwick GREGSON, apprentice

The ship was set on fire by a torpedo during an attack by enemy aircraft. The flames spread rapidly and almost immediately orders were given to abandon ship. One of the ship's gunners was pinned under a raft. Gregson immediately went to his assistance and, with help, freed him. The gunner had sustained severe injuries, and, as it was impossible to get him into a boat or on to a raft, he was dropped overboard. Gregson dived into the sea after him, and, in the darkness, towed his helpless shipmate to a ship which picked them up, a distance of about 600 yards.

See post no. 31 for further information from Hugh

 

From The Times, April 21, 1943:

NAVAL AWARDS

For gallantry in saving life at sea:-

ALBERT MEDAL IN GOLD
T/Surgeon Lt. M.J. CLOW, M.B., B.Ch., R.N.V.R.

Surgeon Lt. Clow was between decks when H.M.S. Ibis was badly damaged. Wounded men were brought to him in the sick bay, among them an Eng. R.A. badly burnt about the arm. Surg. Lt. Clow gave him an injection of morphia, and, as the ship was now sinking, helped the man on to the upper deck. As the man had no lifebelt he put his own on him. Then he got him into the water and made sure he was free of the ship before he himself abandoned it. In doing this Surg. Lt. Clow became entangled in the rigging and was taken down some way before he got clear. He then swam for three hours without a lifebelt before he was picked up.

 

From The Times, April 21, 1943:

NAVAL AWARDS
For gallantry in saving life at sea:-

ALBERT MEDAL IN GOLD (POSTHUMOUS)
Sick Berth Attdt. G.W. BEECHING

Sick Berth Attdt. Beeching was between decks when H.M.S. Ibis was hit. The explosion caused serious damage and the ship took a list to starboard of about 15deg. The emergency lighting partly failed and the mess decks were deep in oil fuel. Beeching helped those who came forward with wounds, among them one man very badly burned about the face and hands. He took him to the sick bay and gave him morphia. When the ship began to keel over, and it was apparent that she would capsize, he helped the man to the deck, gave him a lifebelt, and got him into the water before abandoning ship himself. Beeching was not seen again.

Sick Berth Attendant GEORGE WILLIAM BEECHING, A.M., C/MX 65180, H.M.S. Ibis, Royal Navy who died age 23 on 10 November 1942

Son of George and Rebecca Beeching, of Wallasey, Cheshire.

Remembered with honour CHATHAM NAVAL MEMORIAL
Grave/Memorial Reference: 64, 1.
CWGC :: Casualty Details

 

From The Times, April 21, 1943:

NAVAL AWARDS

For gallantry in saving life at sea:-
ALBERT MEDAL IN BRONZE (POSTHUMOUS)

Sick Berth Attd. J.W. THORPE

Off the North African coast, H.M.S. Broke came under heavy fire and many of her company were wounded. Thorpe showed courage in tending the wounded and getting them to places of greater safety. He himself was then badly hit, but he spent his last strength in the care of others, working till he could no longer stand. He died of his wounds.

Sick Berth Attendant JAMES WILLIAM THORPE A.M., D/SBR/X 7813, H.M.S. "Broke", Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve who died age 22 on 09 November 1942

Son of Walter E. and Lily Thorpe, of Stacksteads, Lancashire.

Remembered with honour PLYMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 77, Column 2.
CWGC :: Casualty Details

 

From The Times, April 28, 1943:

ALBERT MEDAL (POSTHUMOUS)
William CHISHOLM, M.B., Ch.B., Ship's Surgeon

The ship in which Mr Chisholm was serving was torpedoed in darkness and immediately began to sink. A fire broke out, which enveloped the bridge in flames, and orders were given to abandon the vessel. She sank within eight minutes. One of the senior officers, who was on the bridge, was badly injured. He was taken to the surgery, where Mr Chisholm immediately attended to him and afterwards, as he was so helpless, helped him to the deck in order to get him away from the sinking ship. Mr Chisholm's efforts were unsuccessful and neither he nor the officer was seen again. Although the ship was sinking rapidly. Mr Chisholm remained and deliberately sacrificed his chance of safety in a gallant attempt to save the life of another.

Surgeon WILLIAM CHISHOLM, A.M., M.V. Stentor (Liverpool), Merchant Navy who died age 43 on 27 October 1942
Son of Alexander and Mary Chisholm. M.B., Ch.B.; Lloyd's War Medal for Bravery at Sea.
Remembered with honour TOWER HILL MEMORIAL
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 101.
CWGC :: Casualty Details

 

From The Times, May 26, 1943:

MERCHANT NAVY AWARDS

ALBERT MEDAL
James Arthur REEVES, Chief Officer

The ship was torpedoed, and was being abandoned when two men were seen floating in the oily water which flooded the engine-room to a depth of 25ft. Both were helpless, one being badly injured and the other overcome by oil fumes. All the engine-room ladders had been destroyed, but using a boat ladder, Chief Officer Reeves descended into the engine-room and secured lines about both men. While being hauled to safety one of the men slipped back into the oily water. Mr. Reeves again descended into the engine-room, which was rapidly filling with surging oil and water, and secured another rope about the injured man, who was then brought on deck.


See post no 32 for further information from Hugh