Merchant Navy awards

From The Times, March 3, 1943:

O.B.E.
Ernest WARDMAN, chief engineer officer

M.B.E.
Thomas James Lough RENWICK, third engineer officer

The ship, while sailing in a North Russian convoy, was subjected to heavy air attacks, and concussion caused considerable damage in the engine-room. Repairs were made in the face of fierce attacks, and the vessel arrived safely at her destination. The chief engineer officer displayed courage and resource throughout. When the vessel was attacked at sea he went down alone into the engine-room tunnel, where the bearings had been damaged, and for three days and nights, during almost continuous attacks, he lubricated the bearings every hour, thus enabling the engines to be kept running. Afterwards, during many intensive air raids on the port, he stood by on deck ready to assist in dealing with fire or to let go moorings if required. The third engineer officer, during the numerous air raids after the ship's arrival in port, stood alone in the engine-room and stokehold and maintained steam.

 

From The Times, March 3, 1943:

O.B.E.
Captain Thomas Ernest FEA, master

M.B.E.
Herbert King EARNSHAW, chief officer

B.E.M.
Eric William ROWSE, boatswain

The vessel sailed in two convoys, both of which were severely attacked by submarines. The master showed leadership of a high order, and it was due to his skill that in spite of difficult and dangerous circumstances many lives were saved. The chief officer displayed courage and devotion to duty. On one occasion he was in charge of a boat which became waterlogged, but this did not deter him from carrying out his duty in an efficient manner. The devotion to duty shown by the boatswain was outstanding.

 

From The Times, March 3, 1943:

M.B.E.
Lionel Aubrey COOK, third officer

The ship, sailing in convoy, was torpedoed. She listed heavily and it was decided to prepare for abandonment. The third officer helped to carry a passenger and two members of the crew who had been injured to a boat. This boat was capsized, and the occupants were thrown into the water. The third officer displayed great courage. Although continuously swept by heavy seas, he supported one of the injured men in the water-logged boat, keeping his head above water for four hours until assistance arrived.

 

From The Times, March 3, 1943:

M.B.E.
Captain Philip Samuel GUY, master

The ship was in harbour during a dive-bombing attack. Fire was opened with such good effect that several direct hits were seen on one of the aircraft, which is reported to have crashed into the sea. On another occasion another enemy aircraft attack developed and again her defensive armament went into action. Hits were observed on the plane, which crashed into the sea.

Captain Guy has shown courage in these and a number of other encounters with enemy aircraft and E-boats during his command of this and other small coasters running on the east coast.

 

From The Times, March 3, 1943:

M.B.E.
Leslie VERNON, chief officer
Roland MOSCROP-YOUNG, third officer

B.E.M.
James Henry DONALDSON, able seaman

The ship, sailing alone, was torpedoed and all the crew, except four, who had been killed by the explosion, got away in three boats or on rafts. The men on the rafts were transferred to one of the boats, an operation rendered difficult by the heavy seas running. The chief officer was in charge of a boat containing 34 persons. All through the night this boat lay to a sea anchor, and it was due to Mr. Vernon's courage and skill that the boat survived. Two days later they were picked up. Donaldson displayed devotion to duty and assisted the chief officer in handling the boat. By his skilful seamanship the third officer brought his boat, with its 27 occupants to safety after a voyage of four days in heavy weather.

 

From The Times, March 17, 1943:

O.B.E.
Captain Charles FAULKNER, Master

M.B.E.
Sidney Robert Milburn TURNER, Fourth Engineer Officer

The ship was dive-bombed by six Japanese aircraft. Two of the attacking aeroplanes were probably destroyed by the intensive fire put up by the vessel. Several direct hits were sustained which caused extensive damaged and the ship began to break up. Although he ordered the crew to the boats, the Master remained on board in the hope of saving the ship. Nothing further could be done and some time after the vessel was finally abandoned, she sank. Captain Faulkner showed courage and coolness throughout and set a fine example. It was due to his excellent organization that the whole of the crew was saved. The fourth engineer officer displayed outstanding devotion to duty during the attack. He remained below and stopped the engines when required so that the ship lost way and boats and rafts could be got away in safety.

 

From The Times, March 17, 1943:

DAMAGED SHIP DEFIES SUBMARINES

O.B.E.
Captain Robert Edward HOPKINS, Master
Richard VINER, Chief Engineer Officer

M.B.E.
Charles George Benjamin BROUGHTON, Chief Officer

The ship, sailing alone, was torpedoed. She remained afloat, but 20 minutes later was fired on the submarine. The enemy fire was returned, two shells being seen to explode close to the submarine, which may have been damaged. Half an hour later, two torpedoes were seem coming towards the ship and evasive action was successfully taken. No further attack was made and under her own power the vessel was brought safely to a nearby port where an examination disclosed that she had sustained serious damage. When it was found that there were no facilities for executing the extensive repairs required, the crew were eager to take the ship to a port where repairs could be effected. In spite of her damaged condition the ship put to sea and, after sailing alone through submarine infested waters, eventually reached port. The Master displayed courage and excellent leadership, and not only saved a valuable ship, but ensured her return to service in the shortest possible time. The Chief Engineer Officer's cool courage was an inspiring example to all the engine-room staff. The Chief Officer was conspicuous throughout for his good work.

 

From The Times, March 17, 1943:

O.B.E.
Henry Norman JONES, Chief Engineer Officer

M.B.E.
Godfrey BROWN, Chief Officer

The ship was proceeding in convoy to Malta. In addition to incessant air attacks the convoy was attacked by surface vessels and submarines. All attacks were driven off and the vessel, with her valuable cargo, reached port safely. The Chief Engineer Officer did excellent work and set a splendid example to the engine-room staff.

 

From The Times, March 17, 1943:

O.B.E.
Captain Robert William BRUNDLE, Master

M.B.E.
William Kelly Surtees ROBINSON, Chief Engineer Officer
George Edwin MASTERMAN, Chief Officer

B.E.M.
Ronald PEART, Chief Steward

The ship, which was in an early convoy to North Russia, was torpedoed twice in rapid succession. The Master ordered most of the crew to leave the ship and stand by in the boats, while he and the remainder stayed on board to inspect the damage. A third explosion occurred, and those on board, and the crew who had been standing by, were transferred to another vessel. About three hours later the Master, with his crew, re-boarded the ship. In spite of many difficulties and frequent enemy air attacks, during which she probably destroyed one enemy aircraft, the vessel was successfully towed to a North Russian port. The cargo was discharged, repairs were effected, and the vessel has since returned to this country.

 

From The Times, March 17, 1943:

M.B.E.
John Selkirk GARDNER, Chief Officer
Charles Edward PRATT, Second Officer

B.E.M.
Carl Arnold PETERSON, Carpenter

The ship, sailing alone, was torpedoed in darkness when 428 miles from land. She foundered within 10 minutes and only one boat could be launched. The Second Officer did good work in getting the boat away and 31 survivors were rescued from the water. After being picked up, the Chief Officer took charge of the boat, and by splendid leadership and resource brought it to safety after a voyage of 22 days. Carpenter Peterson was outstanding throughout.

 

From The Times, March 17, 1943:

M.B.E.
Walter John READER, Chief Officer
Duncan CAMPBELL, Second Officer

B.E.M.
Husan ROSA, Carpenter

The ship, sailing alone, was torpedoed and sank within four minutes. Despite the rapid sinking only three lives were lost. All the others on board, including 16 survivors of another vessel, got away in two boats, on four rafts, and in a motor-boat. The men on the rafts were picked up by the boats, and all eventually reached safety. The Chief Officer, who was in charge of one boat which made a voyage of 13 days, showed courage and resource in his control of operations, and it was due to his excellent organization and seamanship that the boat with its 25 occupants reached safety. He was ably assisted by Carpenter Rosa, who righted one of the boats which had capsized in launching, and who displayed initiative and resource throughout. The motor-boat, containing 17 survivors, made a voyage of 28 days before being picked up. It was in charge of Second Officer Campbell, who, despite the fact that he had been torpedoed twice in three days, displayed courage, skill, and leadership in handling the boat and in the care of its occupants during the long voyage.

 

From The Times, April 14, 1943:

LIVES SAVED FROM SINKING SHIPS

MERCHANT NAVY AWARDS

C.B.E.
Captain Norman SAVAGE, Master

O.B.E.
Richard William ROBERTS, D.S.C., Staff Commander

The ship, sailing alone, was torpedoed in darkness when over 500 miles from the nearest land. As a precautionary measure the master ordered the boats, with the passengers and the majority of the crew aboard, to be lowered and kept alongside. Two hours later a second torpedo hit the ship, and orders were then given for abandonment. After all remaining on board had embarked in the boats, two more torpedoes hit the ship, and she sank immediately. The boats were formed into two flotillas, which, towed by the ship's motor-boats, set course for land. All of the boats eventually reached safety. The master displayed great courage and exceptional judgement throughout. His splendid organization and leadership resulted in the saving of the lives of all on board, with the exception of five men who were killed by the explosion. The staff commander ably assisted the master.

 

From The Times, April 14, 1943:

O.B.E.
Captain Sidney Crossland GRANT, Master
Frank Roland MARTIN, Chief Engineer Officer

B.E.M.
George Alvin DECKER, Cadet

The ship, sailing alone, was torpedoed and began to sink rapidly. Abandonment was ordered and all hands got clear. Another torpedo hit the ship, which sank at once. One of the boats which was standing by was capsized by blast. Decker jumped out of his boat into the sea and took charge of operations. By his efforts and under his direction, the boat was righted and all but one of the occupants rescued. The survivors were picked up the following day. The master remained on board to the last. He displayed great courage and coolness throughout and it was due to his inspiration and leadership that the crew, with one exception, was saved. Cadet Decker showed courage, initiative, and leadership.

 

From The Times, April 14, 1943:

M.B.E.
Harry DUFFIN, Skipper of a steam trawler

The steam trawler, when in company with two other trawlers, was attacked by enemy aircraft on two occasions and a spirited defence was put up. On the second occasion one of the other trawlers was hit and sunk. Skipper Duffin immediately went to the rescue, picked up all the crew and later landed them safely. He displayed great courage in these and five other attacks which have been made on his ship.

 

From The Times, April 28, 1943:

MERCHANT NAVY COURAGE
BRAVERY AND SKILL

O.B.E.
Captain Frederick Henry GRAHAM, Master

M.B.E.
Norman MAKEPEACE, Second Engineer Officer

The ship was torpedoed and badly damaged. The wireless was put out of action by the explosion and the boiler-room fires were extinguished. Temporary repairs were effected, and the ship was able to proceed at reduced speed. The enemy submarine, which was still in the vicinity, surfaced for a few seconds, but submerged before fire could be opened. The ship was eventually brought safely to port. The master displayed great courage and leadership throughout, and his determination was responsible for the saving of a valuable ship. The second engineer officer kept the engines going when the vessel was hit and he set a splendid example to the engine-room personnel.

 

From The Times, April 28, 1943:

MERCHANT NAVY COURAGE
BRAVERY AND SKILL

O.B.E.
Captain William Birch WILFORD, Master

M.B.E.
Alan MORETON, Second Office

The ship was in port when she was attacked by seven enemy dive-bombers. A heavy and continuous barrage from the vessel was maintained with such good effect that it caused the attacking aircraft to deviate from their line of fire, and so saved the ship from direct bomb hits. The master showed great courage and coolness, and it was due to his excellent leadership that a very determined attack by the enemy was beaten off and the ship saved. Captain Wilford previously distinguished himself when his ship successfully towed a damaged vessel a distance of 2,500 miles in 26 days. The second officer was in charge of the guns' crews during the aircraft attack and directed the gunnery operations throughout. His courage and leadership were outstanding, and undoubtedly contributed greatly to the saving of the vessel.

 

From The Times, April 28, 1943:

MERCHANT NAVY COURAGE
BRAVERY AND SKILL

M.B.E.
William Leslie HILL, Second Officer
Rodney George EDWARDS, Third Officer

The ship was torpedoed and severely damaged. Orders were given for abandonment and distress messages were sent out. Two more torpedoes hit the ship, which sank rapidly. The second officer was in charge of one of the boats, which made a successful voyage of 10 days before being picked up. It was due to his courage, skill, and leadership that 13 survivors were brought to safety. The third officer was in charge of another boat which made a voyage of eight days. Bad weather was experienced, but he displayed outstanding courage and exercised good control over the boat's crew. By skilful navigation he had brought the boat within sight of land, when it was picked up.

 

From The Times, April 28, 1943:

MERCHANT NAVY COURAGE
BRAVERY AND SKILL

M.B.E.
William NELSON, Third Officer

The ship was torpedoed in darkness and severely damaged. She began to sink by the head, and orders for abandonment were given. The crew left the ship in three boats, one of which was picked up after eight days and another landed in hostile territory. The third officer was in charge of the third boat, which, after a successful voyage of 14 days, made a landfall on allied territory. He displayed outstanding judgment and skill in landing the boat.

 

From The Times, April 28, 1943:

MERCHANT NAVY COURAGE
BRAVERY AND SKILL

M.B.E.
Sidney Horace WATERS, Third Officer
John James MARSHALL, Fourth Engineer Officer

The ship was torpedoed in darkness when about 200 mils from the nearest land, and sank within 10 minutes. The third officer displayed conspicuous bravery. An officer, who had been thrown into the water, was knocked unconscious by floating wreckage. Mr Waters held him on a raft for over three hours until they were picked up. This called for great physical endurance and determination as the raft was badly tossed about in the heavy seas. The fourth engineer officer took charge of one of the boats. In spite of bad weather and heavy seas, which made the handling of the boat exceptionally difficult, he skilfully navigated it for 200 miles. It was entirely due to his skill, initiative, and leadership that the 20 occupants were brought to safety after a voyage of 13 days.

 

From The Times, April 28, 1943:

MERCHANT NAVY COURAGE
BRAVERY AND SKILL

B.E.M.
Murdo MacLEOD, Able Seaman

(Award dated February 24, 1943. Since reported missing, presumably drowned at sea as the result of enemy action).