Merchant Navy awards

From The Times, Wednesday, January 7, 1942
MERCHANT NAVY AWARDS
BRAVERY AND SKILFUL SEAMANSHIP

M.B.E.
Captain D. Pattison, Master
Second Engineer J. Gronhaug

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL
C. McCarthy, able seaman

The ship was mined and damage was such that the crew were ordered to the boats. The master, with his boat's crew, went aboard another vessel, but as his ship did not sink he returned with a small party. The second engineer showed great skill. Working on top of a submerged hatch, with many of the covers missing, and helped by McCarthy, he connected a steam line to the windlass. Seas broke over the helpless ship, and although at times she could not be handled the master never allowed his party to despair. The ship was towed to safety stern first by two tugs, the master doing his own pilotage.


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From The Times, Wednesday, January 7, 1942
MERCHANT NAVY AWARDS
BRAVERY AND SKILFUL SEAMANSHIP

M.B.E.
Captain O.H. Roberts, Master

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL
D. Harris, mate
H.A. Jones, gunner

The ship was attacked by a German seaplane. The master manned the Lewis gun on the bridge, the mate took the after Hotchkiss gun, and the gunner a second Hotchkiss. The master ordered everyone to hold his fire until the enemy was close. The German made two runs, both very low, and such a steady, well-directed stream of lead was poured into him that he was destroyed.


See post no. 164 for further information from Hugh

 

The Times, Wednesday, June 10, 1942
MERCHANT NAVY AWARDS
COURAGE IN FACE OF ENEMY ATTACKS

O.B.E.
Captain Frank Deighton, master
Gilbert Sisterson, chief engineer

M.B.E.
John Gundry Midlen, chief officer

The ship made two passages through unfriendly waters. On the outward voyage she was attacked by torpedo bombers, and her guns provided part of the highly effective barrage which drove off the assault. On the return the vessel was twice attacked, but was saved by the courage and seamanship of Captain Deighton. The chief officer was responsible for the organization of the defensive armament which was used with good effect. The chief engineer, in difficult conditions, maintained the speed of the ship.


See post no 165 for further information from Hugh


Name: DEIGHTON, FRANK
Initials: F
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Master
Regiment/Service: Merchant Navy
Unit Text: S.S. City of Pretoria (London)
Age: 42
Date of Death: 03/03/1943
Awards: O B E
Additional information: Son of Harrison and Elizabeth Deighton; husband of Ida Mary Deighton, of Gidea Park, Romford, Essex. King's Commendation for Brave Conduct.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 30.
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

Name: SISTERSON, GILBERT
Initials: G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Chief Engineer Officer
Regiment/Service: Merchant Navy
Unit Text: S.S. City of Pretoria (London)
Age: 42
Date of Death: 03/03/1943
Awards: O B E
Additional information: King's Commendation for Brave Conduct. Husband of Audrey Chapman Sisterson, of South Shields, Co. Durham. Awarded Royal Humane Society's Bronze Medal. Carnegie Trust Roll of Heroes.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 30.
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

Name: MIDLEN, JOHN GUNDRY
Initials: J G
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Chief Officer
Regiment/Service: Merchant Navy
Unit Text: S.S. City of Pretoria (London)
Age: 36
Date of Death: 03/03/1943
Awards: M B E
Additional information: Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Midlen; husband of Mary Bamforth Midlen, of Combe Down, Bath, Somerset.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 30.
Memorial: TOWER HILL MEMORIAL

 

The Times, Wednesday, June 10, 1942
MERCHANT NAVY AWARDS
COURAGE IN FACE OF ENEMY ATTACKS

O.B.E.
Captain William Gordon Higgs, Master
David Charles Jack, chief engineer

M.B.E.
Henry George Bacon Pinkney, chief officer

The ship was frequently attacked by enemy aircraft. The master showed courage and good seamanship and it was due to his handling of the vessel that she was brought safely to port. The chief officer's organization of the defences was outstanding and the chief engineer proved equal to all the demands made on his department.


See post no. 167 for further information from Hugh

 

The Times, Wednesday, June 10, 1942
MERCHANT NAVY AWARDS
COURAGE IN FACE OF ENEMY ATTACKS

M.B.E.
Joseph Ross Stephen, third officer

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL
John Campbell, able seaman
Bernard Golightly, storekeeper

The ship was attacked by a U-boat and sunk by torpedoes and gun-fire. One of her boats was in charge of the third officer, who after a boat journey of 11 days, brough her crew of eight men to safety. They met with very bad weather, in which the good seamanship of Campbell was of the utmost value. The storekeeper, who was one of the crew, showed exemplary courage throughout. When the eight men were at last rescued by flying-boat, they were in good heart, though bodily weak.


See post 113 for more information from Hugh

 

The Times, Wednesday, March 31, 1943
MERCHANT SEAMEN HONOURED
GREAT ORDEALS AT SEA
OUTSTANDING COURAGE

O.B.E.
Captain James Kennedy, Master

M.B.E.
Neil Murray Coleman, Third Radio Officer

The ship, sailing alone was torpedoed. As a precautionary measure one of the boats, with 30 members of the crew was immediately lowered and pulled clear of the ship. Meanwhile the master swung his ship stern on to the submarine and opened fire. Only one round had been fired when a second torpedo hit the ship and set her on fire. With the ship burning fiercely the master and the remainder of the crew ran through the flames to the forecastle head and dived overboard.

After swimming for three hours a raft was sighted which the master and others managed to reach. It was badly damaged and had neither water nor provisions. The survivors clung to the raft for about 26 hours before they were picked up by a rescuing ship which had answered the distress signals, sent out when the vessel was first torpedoed.

The third radio officer showed great bravery and devotion to duty. He remained in the wireless room and held a broken wire in position while distress messages were transmitted. He did not leave until forced to do so by the enveloping flames.

The master displayed outstanding courage throughout. He did his best to fight the submarine and tried to safeguard the lives of his crew by getting the majority away in a boat at an early stage.


See post no. 170 for further information from Hugh

 

The Times, Wednesday, March 31, 1943
MERCHANT SEAMEN HONOURED
GREAT ORDEALS AT SEA
OUTSTANDING COURAGE

M.B.E
William Massie Duncan, Chief Officer
Kenneth George Eaton, Third Officer
Stanley Powell, Radio Officer

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL
George Cuthbert, Fireman
James Francis Kirkwood, Seaman

The ship sailing alone was torpedoed 300 miles from the nearest land and sank within three minutes. The chief officer, seeing a number of the crew attempting to lower a boat, jumped into it with the intention of cutting the falls as, owing to the heavy list, the boat was resting on the ship's side. The ship, however, sank too quickly and took the boat down with her. The chief officer and two members of the crew managed to reach an upturned boat which had floated clear of the ship.

For two and a half days they clung to the bottom of this boat until weather conditions permitted it to be righted. The boat was found to be badly waterlogged and nearly all the equipment, food, and water had been washed away. During the next six days two of the occupants of the boat died, leaving the chief officer alone. Five days later he was picked up. Chief Officer Duncan acted with courage and resource in attempting to release one of the boats when the ship was sinking and he displayed outstanding qualities of fortitude and endurance throughout the whole of his tremendous ordeal.

When the ship sank, nine other members of the crew managed to reach three rafts, which they lashed together. They attempted without success to reach the upturned boat to which the chief officer was clinging. During the first night in the heavy seas one of the three rafts broke adrift and disappeared with three of the crew. The remaining two rafts kept together for about 10 days, when one of the men died. During this period the remaining rafts were capsized several times by heavy seas and eventually one of them began to break up. The men on this raft were transferred to the remaining sound raft, but during the operation another man was lost. Four men now remained on the last raft, on which they drifted for a further five days before being picked up.

Great courage and fortitude were displayed by Third Officer Eaton, Radio Officer Powell, Fireman Cuthbert, and Seaman Kirkwood during the 15 days the were adrift.


See post no. 171 for further information from Hugh.

 

The Times, Wednesday, May 14, 1941
BRAVERY AT SEA
MERCHANT SEAMEN HONOURED

O.B.E.
Norman Houfton, chief officer

One of H.M. Transports arrived at Berbera with troops and stores which were urgently required by our forces in British Somaliland. Mr. Houfton greatly helped the unloading, which had to be done into lighters, with the least possible delay.


See post no 172 for further information from Hugh

 

The Times, Wednesday, May 14, 1941
BRAVERY AT SEA
MERCHANT SEAMEN HONOURED

O.B.E.
Captain Reginald Sanderson Kearon, master

When his ship was torpedoed the damage was such that it was clear she would not last long. One boat was put in the water and rafts were got over the side. Wreckage knocked men off the rafts into the water and holeed the boat. Those left on board pulled all the men they could out of the water and then lowered the rest of the rafts. They then made a new raft and launched it when the ship began to sink. All but four were got on to it. The master floated off the ship and was sucked down, but came up by a large spar to which the chief officer, an elderly man, was clinging. The master lashed him to it, nad they were later joined by two others. After two hours they were picked up, but two, including the chief officer, were dead from exposure.



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The Times, Wednesday, May 14, 1941
BRAVERY AT SEA
MERCHANT SEAMEN HONOURED

O.B.E.
Captain Archibald MacKinlay, master

The ship was damaged by torpedo but got under way again. On the afternoon of the next day destroyers were met. The suggestion of a tug was refused. The next afternoon the weather was very rough and the ship was making water. A tug was asked to stand by. On the fourth day the weather got steadily worse adn it was very difficult to steer. The ship lost touch with both tug and destroyers during the night, and she was making water rapidly along the main deck and flooding the port bunker. There was no means of pumping from the bunker and the master organized a bucket gang which saved the ship from sinking. It kept at work, even when the master, thinking that the ship would be blown ashore, ordered all hands on deck. She was brought safely into port.

 

The Times, Wednesday, May 14, 1941
BRAVERY AT SEA
MERCHANT SEAMEN HONOURED

O.B.E.
Captain William Royal Thomas, master

M.B.E.
Peter Gibb Johnstone, fourth engineer

GEORGE MEDAL
George Taylor, quartermaster

An aircraft made bomb attacks on the ship and raked her with machine-gun fire. She was hit and fires started. Taylor received a bullet through his eye, but despite this he went to the wheel and continued to steer all through the action. The fourth engineer, Mr. Johnstone, showed courage and devotion to duty. The master, thinking the ship would founder, sent one boat away with old sailors and firemen in it. The master, the two engineers, the chief officer, the third officer and the cabin boy stayed to fight the fires and eventually extinguished them. The ship reached port.



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The Times, Wednesday, May 14, 1941
BRAVERY AT SEA
MERCHANT SEAMEN HONOURED

O.B.E.
Captain John Edwin Watson, master

M.B.E.
Stanley Stuart Howie, second mate

A submarine attacked the ship with gunfire. The master put up a good fight, manoeuvring to keep the enemy astern, and returning the fire. The submarine was hit more than once. The master, who was wounded, gave orders to abandon ship. The submarine fired a torpedo and the ship began to sink quickly. All the boats but two had been wrecked, so rafts and any things taht would float were thrown overboard. Distress signals had been sent out and the survivors were rescued. The second mate fired the gun with great coolness.


See post #90 for Hugh's additional information

 

The Times, Wednesday, May 14, 1941
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.

 

The Times, Wednesday, May 14, 1941
BRAVERY AT SEA
MERCHANT SEAMEN HONOURED

O.B.E.
Captain John Herbert, master

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL
James Francis O'Neill, gunlayer

A submarine sighted abeam, opened fire as the ship swung away to bring her astern. The master ordered the gunner to hold his fire till the enemy came within effective range. Shots were exchanged, and hits were scored by the ship's second and fifth rounds. The submarine was out of range. She was still on the surface with her after end smoking. The gunlayer O'Neill did his work well.

 

The Times, Wednesday, May 14, 1941
BRAVERY AT SEA
MERCHANT SEAMEN HONOURED

M.B.E.
Thomas Cunningham Aitchison, third officer.

The ship was attacked by enemy aircraft and sunk. The third officer, the last to leave, saved the life of a shipmate who unable to swim, was unwilling to leave.


See post no 174 for further information from Hugh.

 

The Times, Wednesday, May 14, 1941
BRAVERY AT SEA
MERCHANT SEAMEN HONOURED

M.B.E.
William Arthur Allon, chief officer

When the ship was attacked by two enemy aircraft in the Thames Estuary, Chief Officer Allon, at the Lewis gun, withholding his fire until the second turned, shot so well that in one minute he brought it down into the sea. Five bombs fell near the ship but they did no damage and no one was hurt.


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The Times, Wednesday, May 14, 1941
BRAVERY AT SEA
MERCHANT SEAMEN HONOURED

M.B.E.
Tom Collier, chief officer

When the ship was attacked by enemy aircraft Mr. Collier was blown from the monkey island to the fore deck abreast the foremast, about 50ft. with a drop of about 40ft. He broke two of his ribs and was deafened. He found five survivors and put four on the raft and went on with another man searching for an hour and a quarter though the ship was listing more and more to port. When warned that she was going over and they ought to leave, he sent the other man off but himself went on looking till satisfied that no one was left.


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The Times, Wednesday, May 14, 1941
BRAVERY AT SEA
MERCHANT SEAMEN HONOURED

M.B.E.
Henry McGregor Post, chief officer

The chief officer was in the port boat with the master who had been ill for some time before the ship was struck, and, therefore, much of the care of the boat and her crew fell on Mr. Post. They were adrift in terrible weather for thirteen days. Mr. Post's skill and courage were beyond praise.

 

The Times, Wednesday, May 14, 1941
BRAVERY AT SEA
MERCHANT SEAMEN HONOURED

M.B.E.
William Walker, third engineer

When the ship was torpedoed, everyone left the engine room except the Third Engineer, who remained and carried out the Master's orders, though the engine room was flooding. He closed off the boilers before leaving thus preventing any chance of explosion. Mr. Walker is 60.


See post 103 for further information from Hugh

 

The Times, Wednesday, May 14, 1941
BRAVERY AT SEA
MERCHANT SEAMEN HONOURED

M.B.E.
James Tait Smith, first mate

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL
John Joseph MacNeil, able seaman

When the ship was torpedoed, heavy seas made it difficult to lower the boat on the weather side, but as all the crew could not get into the boat on the lee side, Mr. Smith and Able Seaman MacNeill, with great skill, lowered the boat, got into it and fended it off while others of the crew jumped. When it became too dangerous to keep the boat alongside, the First Mate ordered the Boatswain to make a rope fast to the bulwark and drop the other end over so that one man at a time could come down the rope and be hauled into the boat. This was done and all hands were taken off. Thereafter Mr. Smith and MacNeil shared in the rigours and duties of the 800-mile voyage, taking watch and watch about till they were picked up.


See post no. 122 for further information from Hugh