Merchant Navy awards

Discussion in 'The War at Sea' started by dbf, May 23, 2009.

  1. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Post no. 329 refers.
    MERCHANT NAVY
    GALLANTRY IN CONVOY BATTLES

    O.B.E.
    Captain James BARNETSON, master

    M.B.E.
    Archibald McCALLUM, third officer

    The ship took part in an important convoy to North Russia. She was subjected to heavy and sustained air attack. Her defence was notable and effective throughout, but later, while sailing alone, she was sunk by an enemy submarine. Fine work was done in both episodes by the master and third officer. The third officer also did well under fire in two previous Russian convoys.


    London Gazette 22 December 1942 - For service in North Russian convoys.

    CAPE RACE official number 145658 built in 1930 Lyle Shipping Co.
    Torpedoed by U-660 (Baur) and sunk in the North Atlantic on 10th August 1942. The master, 45 crew, 5 DEMS gunners, 12 crew from PORT NICHOLSON, being repatriated home after their ship was torpedoed on 16th June by U-87 (Berger), were rescued by HM ships NASTURTIUM and DIANTHUS and landed at Liverpool on 14th August.

    Regards
    Hugh
     
  2. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Post no.238 refers.
    MERCHANT NAVY HONOURS

    CRIPPLED SHIP'S FIGHT WITH U-BOATS

    C.B.E.
    Captain R.F. BAYER, master

    The large and most valuable ship was torpedoed and badly damaged. The next day an enemy aircraft approached but was driven off by gunfire and was last seen losing height. Later, the ship was shadowed by at least two, and probably more, submarines. She was unmanageable at times unless towed, which caused a great loss of speed. The master showed resolution and magnificent seamanship throughout. He brought his ship safely to port.


    Passenger liner LLANGIBBY CASTLE official number 161329 built in 1929 Union-Castle SS Co.
    Torpedoed by U-402 (von Forstner) in the North Atlantic on 16 January 1942. She survived the war.

    LG. 3 March 1942 - For services when the ship was torpedoed and damaged.

    Captain Bayer was also awarded the Lloyds War Medal for bravery at sea.
    Previously, while the master of DURBAN CASTLE, he was twice awarded a Mention in Despatches for Operation's Torch and Husky.

    Regards
    Hugh
     
  3. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Post no.321 refers.
    O.B.E.
    Captain David John WILLIAMS, master

    M.B.E.
    Bernard BEAVIS, chief officer

    B.E.M.
    Eugene BERGSTROM, carpenter

    When sailing alone, the ship was attacked by Japanese aircraft with torpedoes and bombs for over two hours. She was handled with great skill, and her armament was used to good effect. Although she evaded all attacks by torpedo carriers, she was hit by a bomb and set on fire. By the presence and courage of her fire-fighting parties, well led by the chief officer and carpenter, she was saved.


    Cargo ship ANGLO CANADIAN official number 160529 built in 1928. Nitrate Producers, London. SS Co (Lawther, Latta & Co Mgrs).

    Bombed by enemy aircraft and damaged in Vizagapatnam Roads on 6th April 1942.

    As well as the individual awards noted above, Captain Williams, Chief Officer Beavis and Carpenter Bergstrom were also awarded the Lloyd's War Medal for bravery at sea.


    On 25th June 1942 she was torpedoed and sunk in the North Atlantic by U-153 (Reichmann).

    Regards
    Hugh
     
  4. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Post no.72 refers.
    BRAVERY AT SEA
    MERCHANT SEAMEN HONOURED

    O.B.E.
    Captain James Beckett, master

    BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL
    Henry James Ritchie, boatswain

    The ship was attacked with machine-gun fire and bombs. In spite of the damage done, every available weapon was brought into action and the enemy was driven off. The steering-gear and hand-gear had been damaged and both holds were filling and could not be pumped out. The weather was very bad. Two tugs were sent and two days later the ship was towed to port. The boatswain took the place of two of the gunners who were wounded early in the action.


    YEWARCH official number 161955 built in 1931 (John Stewart & Co).
    Bombed and straffed by enemy aircraft and damaged off the Humber on 7th December 1940. Survived the war.

    London Gazette 13 May 1941 - For services when the ship was bombed, straffed and damaged.

    Beckett, James - Captain - OBE(Civ).
    Donn, William - Boatswain - Commendation.

    Boatswain William Donn also received the Lloyd's War Medal for bravery at sea.
    His citation reads:
    The ship was damaged by bombs and machine-gun fire from an enemy aircraft. Two gunner were wounded early in the attack and one gun was put out of action. In later attacks the ship fought with all her weapons, the enemy was driven off and the ship towed to port. The boatswain took the place of the wounded gunners and showed skill and courage while handling his gun in the face of machine-gun fire.

    The London Gazette also has the boatswain's name as Henry James Ritchie. At this stage I do not know which is incorrect.

    Regards
    Hugh
     
  5. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Post no. 334 refers.
    MERCHANT NAVY
    GALLANTRY IN CONVOY BATTLES

    M.B.E.
    Arthur Magowan ARTHURS, first radio officer
    When the ship was sunk by a U-boat the first radio officer showed great enterprise in getting into working order the life-boat wireless transmitting set. As a result the 42 persons in the boat were rescued.


    Tanker GEO. H. JONES official number 168219 built in 1919 (Anglo American Oil)
    Torpedoed by U-455 (Giessler) and sunk in the North Atlantic on 11th June 1942.

    LG 22 December 1942 - For services when the ship was torpedoed and sunk.

    The citation above states all 42 were saved but the ship lost one DEMS gunner and one member of crew.
    Regards
    Hugh
     
  6. contango

    contango Junior Member

    I am the grandson (sort of :) ) of Tom Valentine Frank, Master of the Alderpool (and later, the Ashby). I have his own account of the evacuation from Pallice, if anyone is interested.

    David
     
  7. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Hello David and welcome,
    I, for one, would be very interested to read your grandfather's account. He had a busy war up until his death aboard ASHBY.

    Regards
    Hugh
     
  8. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    From The War Illustrated, Apr 10, 1941

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    I am the grandson (sort of :) ) of Tom Valentine Frank, Master of the Alderpool (and later, the Ashby). I have his own account of the evacuation from Pallice, if anyone is interested.

    David
    Hello David,

    I would also be most interested to read your grandfather's account of the evacuation from La Pallice. I am writing about evacuations and landings and have the ALDERPOOL as saving either 4,000 people, or, in another record, 2,870 Polish troops on the 20th June 1940..
    Regards,

    Roy
     
  10. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    From The War Illustrated, April 2, 1942

    [​IMG]


    From The War Illustrated, April 17, 1942
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  11. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    Hello Hugh,

    Did David reply about the Alderpool?

    Roy
     
  12. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Hello Roy,
    I have not received anything from David - I note that he has not been on this site since he posted on 2nd June. I will send him a pm and see if he responds.

    Regards
    Hugh
     
  13. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    Hello Hugh,

    Thank you, I have sent him a pm as well.

    Regards,

    Roy
     
  14. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    Do you know who owns the copyright of the cartoon The Bill?
     
  15. Sailor Ed

    Sailor Ed Junior Member

    Hello D. Am pretty new to this forum so if my question seems pretty basic please allow for newness. I am not sure the intent of this listing you have placed above. The title is throwing me off a little "Those Mentioned" does that refer to those given an MID? Or perhaps the decoration after their name? Also the post number is confusing me - to what does it refer? Thanks Ed
     
  16. dbf

    dbf Moderatrix MOD

    Hello Ed
    The listing includes only the names of those for whom I could find a citation in The Times. There are bound to be others, just that I didn't stumble upon them.

    'Those mentioned' therefore refers simply to the names dealt within this thread, ie 'those mentioned here in this thread'. The awards range from Order of British Empire to British Empire Medal and George Medal. Where possible Hugh - the one who has done all the real work - has added extra information surrounding the circumstances of the ship or the service of those named here.

    Ref the post number - you can find the sequential no.s on the right-hand side of the dark banner at the top of each rectangle containing text, that is the post itself - this one will be 435, yours was 434.

    Hope that helps, feel free to ask more if not,
    Regards
    Diane
     
  17. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    Hugh and Diane,


    Are you able to help with any information on the following, please?

    London Gazette Supplement 35229 Fri 25 July 1941, 29th July 1941

    COMMENDATIONS. .
    The individuals named below have been
    brought to notice for brave conduct when their
    ships encountered enemy ships, submarines,
    aircraft or mines: —


    Ronald Earley, Esq., First Mate.
    Leslie Ellis, Esq., Second Mate.
    Captain John Edwards Gregory, Master.
    William Targar Julings, Able Seaman..
    Chester Vernon Major, Able Seaman.

    They are from a small cargo ship called Palmston operated by the salvors Risdon Beazley, on behalf of the Admiralty, there is no further citation.

    Regards,

    Roy
     
  18. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Hello Roy,

    Commendation citations were not given in the London Gazette. Simply they were awarded for bravery in encounters with enemy ships, aircraft or mines as you have already found out. In many cases, where only Commendations were awarded, the circumstances may well remain unknown.

    All I can tell you, Roy is that the awards were made to those named for services when the PALMSTON was bombed and damaged off the coast of South Wales on 27th March 1941.

    Regards
    Hugh
     
  19. Roy Martin

    Roy Martin Senior Member

    Hello Hugh,

    Thanks, that answers my question.

    Regards,

    Roy
     
  20. Hugh MacLean

    Hugh MacLean Senior Member

    Post no. 258 refers.

    MERCHANT NAVY AWARDS

    BRAVERY IN AIR ATTACKS

    M.B.E.
    Captain William Henry CAPLE, Master
    Alfred Henry BEESE, Chief Engineer

    B.E.M.
    Thomas GANNON, Boatswain
    Robert Frank PARKER, Gunner
    Albert Nayluss VIVASH, Gunner

    The ship was sailing alone when she was attacked by aircraft. All hands were called on deck and the guns were manned. By clever seamanship the master put his ship's head on to the aircraft. The gunners held their fire until the enemy was over the forecastle. They then opened such a devastating barrage that the aircraft swerved, dived, hit the water about four yards from the ship, and sank. Smoke was seen coming from a ventilator. The chief engineer and the boatswain removed the hatch covers and, at great personal risk, searched among the cargo until incendiary bombs were found and isolated.

    Coaster STURDEE ROSE official number 145983 built in 1922 for [Richard Hughes & Co] Survived the war.

    London Gazette 31 March 1942 - For services during an air attack in which an enemy aircraft was destroyed and incendiary bombs were isolated in a hold.

    Regards
    Hugh
     

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