Merchant Navy awards

Ref:- POST, Henry McGregor, MBE, PORT GISBORNE, posts 78, 480
The ship in question is:-
PORT GISBORNE - Torpedoed and damaged on 11 October 1940, when in Convoy HX.77, in The North Atlantic, some 113 miles WSW of Rockall, in position 56 38N 016 40W, by U-48; she sank later in position 57 02N 017 24W
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
31 January 1941 Gazette Issue 35064, Supplement 686, published 04 February 1941
Captain Thomas Kippins - OBE (CD) – when Master
31 January 1941 Gazette Issue 35064, Supplement 687, published 04 February 1941
Sydney Herbert Light - George Medal – when Able Seaman
09 May 1941 Gazette Issue 35159, Supplement 2728, published 13 May 1941
Henry McGregor Post - MBE (CD) – when Chief Officer
Ungazetted
Captain Thomas Kippins - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Master
Sydney Herbert Light - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Able Seaman

Note:-
Captain Thomas Kippins had previously been awarded a DSC when Lieutenant, RNR
04 June 1918 Gazette Issue 30732, Supplement 6769, published 07 June 1918
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- POWELL, Stanley, MBE, ARLETTA, posts 66, 171
The ship in question is:-
ARLETTA - Torpedoed and sunk on 05 August 1942, when a straggler from Convoy ON.115, in the North Atlantic, SSW of Cape Race, in position 44 44N 055 22W, by U-458
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
26 March 1943 Gazette Issue 35959, Supplement 1478, published 30 March 1943
George Cuthbert - BEM (CD) - when Fireman
William Massie Duncan - MBE (CD) - when Chief Officer
Kenneth George Eaton - MBE (CD) – when Third Officer
James Francis Kirkwood - BEM (CD) – when Seaman
Stanley Powell - MBE (CD) – when Radio Officer
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- PROBERT, Charles Edwin, OBE, TAHCHEE, posts 242, 418
The ship in question is:-
TAHCHEE (Standard Transportation Co.) – torpedoed and damaged on 10 September 1941 in the North Atlantic in position 61 32N 044 51W by U-562; 15 September 1942 arrived at Reykjavik in the tow of HMS ORILLIA (Lloyds)
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
13 March 1942 Gazette Issue 35488, Supplement 1206, published 17 March 1942
Captain William Bannan - OBE (CD) – when Master
Charles Edwin Probert - OBE (CD) – when Chief Engineer
13 March 1942 Gazette Issue 35488, Supplement 1207, published 17 March 1942
Archibald Montague Canner - Commendation – when Chief Officer
William Ernest Taylor - Commendation – when Third Engineer
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- PROCTOR, Charles Meryon, OBE, CITY OF LINCOLN, posts 37, 139
The ship in question is:-
CITY OF LINCOLN (Ellermans) - bombed and damaged on 23 March 1941 by aircraft
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
30 January 1942 Gazette Issue 35441, Supplement 541, published 03 February 1942
Captain Stephen Leonard Hoare - OBE (CD) – when Master
Charles Meryon Proctor - OBE (CD) – when Chief Engineer
30 January 1942 Gazette Issue 35441, Supplement 543, published 03 February 1942
Leonard Ewart Smith - Commendation – when Chief Officer
27 February 1942 Gazette Issue 35472, Supplement 997, published 03 March 1942
Captain Stephen Leonard Hoare - Commendation – when Master

Other awards for this ship:-
CITY OF LINCOLN - Enemy air attack
13 August 1943 Gazette Issue 36134, Supplement 3679, published 17 August 1943
Robert William Crome - MBE (CD) – when Second Officer
John Beaumont Owles - Commendation – when Cadet
Captain Herbert Spencer - OBE (CD) – when Master
CITY OF LINCOLN (Ellerman Lines Ltd.) - Mined and damaged on 19 February 1945 off The Humber when bearing 300 degrees x 8 cables from No. 14 Buoy; arrived Hull under own power
13 July 1945 Gazette Issue 37181, Supplement 3680 published 17 July 1945
Charles Meryon Proctor - Commendation – when Chief Engineer
Captain Herbert Spencer - Commendation – when Master

30 December 1941 Gazette Issue 35399, Supplement 21, published 01 January 1942
Leonard Ewart Smith - MBE (CD) – 1942 New Year’s Honours – when Chief Officer
05 June 1942 Gazette Issue 35586, Supplement 2503, published 11 June 1942
Charles Edward Christian - BEM (CD) – 1942 Birthday Honours – when Chief Steward
29 December 1944 Gazette Issue 36869, Supplement 132, published 03 January 1945
Samuel Richard Blackburn - BEM (CD) – 1945 New Year’s Honours – when Chief Steward

Note:-
Captain Herbert Spencer had previously been awarded a DSC when he was Lieutenant (Acting), RNR in Patrol Cruisers
06 August 1915 Gazette Issue 29255, Supplement 7849, published 07 August 1915

Note:-
Captain Stephen Leonard Hoare had previously been awarded an OBE (MD) – when he was Lieutenant RNR
31 December 1918 Gazette Issue 31099, Supplement 112, published 01 January 1919
His OBE (CD) above was changed to a Commendation on account of him holding a Military OBE from 1919. See also T335/30. THIS WAS NEVER SHOWN IN THE LONDON GAZETTE.
I have to ask why he did not receive a CBE (CD) instead of a Commendation when his Chief Engineer received an OBE (CD). It was not without precedence as Captain Selwyn Capon, Master of EMPIRE STAR, received a CBE (CD) when he also received an OBE (MD) in WW1, but of course his award was almost 9 months later and he had been carrying Passengers!!!!!
It should also be noticed that his Chief Officer received an MBE (CD) in the 1942 New Year’s Honours and a Commendation for this event at the same time as Captain Hoare received his Commendation.
I wonder if it was because he worked for Ellermans where the scars of the loss of City of Benares were still raw or the fact that his case was raised by Captain WH Coombs, General Secretary of The Navigators and Engineer Officers Union to the highest levels that The Medals Board refused to budge.
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- PRYSE, Theodore, OBE, TEWKESBURY, posts 125, 130
The ship in question is:-
TEWKESBURY - Enemy air attack on 01 March 1941 in The North Sea when in Convoy EN.79-1
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
03 October 1941 Gazette Issue 35299, Supplement 5783, published 07 October 1941
Captain Theodore Pryse - OBE (CD) - when Master
03 October 1941 Gazette Issue 35299, Supplement 5784, published 07 October 1941
Bernard Peter de Neumann - George Medal – when Second Officer
Gerard Llewellyn Turner - George Medal – when Second Engineer
Ungazetted
Bernard Peter de Neumann - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Second Officer
Gerard Llewellyn Turner - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Second Engineer

Other awards for this ship:-
TEWKESBURY - Torpedoed and sunk on 21 May 1941 in The North Atlantic, some 540 miles south of The Cape Verde Islands, in position 05 49N 024 09W, by U-69
10 April 1942 Gazette Issue 35521, Supplement 1635, published 14 April 1942
David Gardiner Howlett - MBE (CD) – when Chief Officer
10 April 1942 Gazette Issue 35521, Supplement 1636, published 14 April 1942
Jose Ramirez – should read Jose Ramrez (since deceased) - Commendation – when Boatswain
Died 15 September 1941 – Tower Hill Memorial, Panel 73
NEWBURY
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- PYBUS, William, BEM, KINGFISHER, post 22
The ship in question is:-
KINGFISHER (General Steam Navigation Company Ltd., London) - Torpedoed and sunk on 24 June 1940 in The English Channel, in position 50 30N 000 28E (BVLAS), 50 34N 000 32E (www.wlb-stuttgart.de/seekrieg/km/sboot/) by E-Boat, S.19
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
23 August 1940 Gazette Issue 34930, Supplement 5200, published 23 August 1940
William Pybus - BEM (CD) – when Second Engineer
Ungazetted
William Pybus - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Second Engineer
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- PERCIVAL, Percival John, OBE, DEUCALION, posts 54, 153
The ship in question is:-
DEUCALION - Departed Malta on 26 August 1941, escorted by Destroyer FARNDALE and arrived safely in Gibraltar on 29 August 1941
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
02 January 1942 Gazette Issue 35405, Supplement 126, published 06 January 1942
Captain Percival John Pycraft - OBE (CD) – when Master

Other awards for this ship:-
DEUCALION - Operation SUBSTANCE – supply convoy to Malta in July 1941
12 December 1941 Gazette Issue 35380, Supplement 7091, published 16 December 1941
Captain Percival John Pycraft – Commendation – when Master
Ungazetted
Captain Percival John Pycraft - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Master
Date of Incident – 12 August 1942 – this date is wrong as this was during Operation Pedestal when DEUCALION’s Master was Captain Ramsay Brown – I suggest the date should read July 1941 for Operation SUBSTANCE

30 December 1941 Gazette Issue 35399, Supplement 18, published 01 January 1942
John Urquhart - OBE (CD) – 1942 New Year’s Honours – when Chief Engineer
29 December 1942 Gazette Issue 35843, Supplement 74, published 04 January 1943
William McCaughey - BEM (CD) – 1943 New Year’s Honours – when Boatswain

DEUCALION – Operation PEDESTAL – supply convoy to Malta in August 1942 - bombed and damaged on 12 August 1942 in position 37 56N 008 40E by aircraft and later that day torpedoed and heavily damaged in position 270 degrees x 5 miles from Cani Rocks by aircraft; according to Rohwer the Italian submarine DESSIE claims she may have hit DEUCALION with one torpedo in position 37 38N 010 25E or the two torpedoes she fired hit BRISBANE STAR; scuttled by HMS BRAMHAM after rescuing survivors
06 November 1942 Gazette Issue 35780, Supplement 4880, published 10 November 1942
Captain Ramsay Brown – DSC – when Master
John Campbell - DSC – when Chief Engineer Officer
Edward Charles Norman Collins - DSM – when Yeoman of Signals, D/JX.141176
04 December 1942 Gazette Issue 35815, Supplement 5346, published 08 December 1942
Martin John Morrow - DSM – when Sergeant, 1573203, 4th Maritme AA Regiment, RA
22 January 1943 Gazette Issue 35877, Supplement 494, published 26 January 1943
William Lawley - DSM – when Able Seaman
William McCaughey - DSM – when Boatswain
Percy Raymond Mead - MID – when Temporary Acting Leading Seaman, C/JX.213038
Norman Warden Owen - DSM – when Carpenter
29 January 1943 Gazette Issue 35886, Supplement 604, published 02 February 1943
John Sedgewick Gregson - Albert Medal (Bronze) – when Apprentice
05 February 1943 Gazette Issue 35895, Supplement 710, published 09 Feb 1943
Peter Postlethwaite Bracewell - MID – when Apprentice
James Simpson Ogilvie - MID – when Chief Officer
James Michael Price - MID – when Fourth Officer
Walter Edward Ward - MID – when Second Engineer Officer
Ungazetted
Captain Ramsay Brown - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Master
John Sedgewick Gregson - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Apprentice

Note:-
Captain Percival John Pycraft had previously been awarded a DSC when Act. Lieutenant, RNR at Gallipoli on HMS EUROPA
30 May 1916 Gazette Issue 29603, Supplement 5416, published 31 May 1916

Note:-
Captain Ramsay Brown had previously been awarded a Commendation when Master of GLENSHIEL – torpedoed and sunk on 02 April 1942 in the Indian Ocean, in position 01 00S 078 11E, by Japanese Submarine I-7
06 November 1942 Gazette Issue 35778, Supplement 4874, published 10 November 1942

Note:-
James Simpson Ogilvie was later awarded an MBE (CD) when Chief Officer of GLAUCUS – 4 days of air attacks
The London Gazette reports:-
The ship made many vitally important voyages and on numerous occasions was subject to determined attacks by enemy aircraft. On the last occasion the convoy in which the ship was sailing was subjected to attacks over a period of 4 days, but due to the excellent manner in which the ship was handled and the defence put up by her armament, she was brought through without sustaining any major damage.
The Master handled his ship with outstanding courage and ability. The success of these voyages, in spite of many enemy attacks and hazards, was mainly due to his excellent leadership and organisation.
The Chief Engineer Officer showed courage and efficiency of a high order, and ably supported the Master throughout. Main steam had to be kept on at all times, and although leaking boiler tubes caused considerable trouble, these were always successfully dealt with at sea or in port, often under very difficult and dangerous conditions. By his excellent leadership and fine example, Mr. Hair kept his staff in good heart and so contributed to the success of the voyages.
The Chief Officer was outstanding throughout. He was always by the Master's side on the bridge whilst in action at sea, and assisted him in taking quick evasive action to counter bomb and torpedo attacks. On one occasion red hot debris from another ship fell on board the vessel and started a fire near a hold which contained high octane spirit. A fire-fighting party was immediately organised and, under the leadership of Mr. Ogilvie, it quickly brought the fire under control and extinguished it before any serious damage was done.
22 September 1944 Gazette Issue 36717, Supplement 4440, published 26 September 1944
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- QUIRK, William, OBE, NORTHERN COAST, post 17
The ship in question is:-
NORTHERN COAST (Coast Lines Limited, Liverpool) - Bombed, strafed and damaged on 20 March 1940 when in Convoy HN.20 in position 58 53N 002 00W when 18 miles East of Copinsay (Lloyds) and on 29 March 1940 when 10 miles NNE of Kinnaird Head
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
26 July 1940 Gazette Issue 34908, Supplement 4656, published 26 July 1940
Henry William Donald - Commendation – when Gunner - Merchant Navy: Gunner (Seedies)
David Flack - Commendation – when 2nd Officer
Captain William Quirk - OBE (CD) – when Master

Other awards for this ship were:-
31 December 1943 Gazette Issue 36312, Supplement 70, published 04 January 1944
John Clubb Dustan - BEM (CD) – 1944 New Year’s Honours – when Donkeyman
29 December 1944 Gazette Issue 36869, Supplement 126, published 03 January 1945
Thomas Jenkins Flockhart - MBE (CD) – 1945 New Year’s Honours – when Chief Engineer Officer
08 June 1945 Gazette Issue 37122, Supplement 3057 published 15 June 1945
John Kinley Crebbin - BEM (CD) – 1945 Birthday Honours – when Lamp Trimmer
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- REID, William, OBE, BLACKHEATH, post 12
The ship in question is:-
BLACKHEATH (Messrs. Watts, Watts and Company Ltd., London) - Carrying stores to Namsos in April 1940
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
26 July 1940 Gazette Issue 34908, Supplement 4655, published 26 July 1940
Captain William Reid - OBE (CD) – when Master

Note:-
Captain William Reid was later awarded a Commendation when Master of EMPIRE FUSILIER – torpedoed and sunk on 09 February 1942, having dispersed from Convoy ON.60, after a seven hour chase, in The North Atlantic, SE of St. John’s, Newfoundland, in position 44 45N 047 25W, by U-85
01 January 1943 Gazette Issue 35850, Supplement 171, published 05 January 1943
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- ROBERTS, Owen Hugh, MBE, SAINT EUNAN, posts 61, 164
The ship in question is:-
SAINT EUNAN – air attack; destruction of enemy aircraft as per the below
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
02 January 1942 Gazette Issue 35405, Supplement 127, published 06 January 1942
Douglas Harris - BEM (CD) – when Mate
Henry Alfred Jones - BEM (CD) – when Gunner - Merchant Navy: Gunner (Seedies)
William Jones - Commendation – when Able Seaman
Captain Owen Hughes Roberts - MBE (CD) – when Master
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- ROBINSON, Stanley White, MBE, EARLSTON, posts 95, 100
The ship in question is:-
EARLSTON – bombed and damaged on 05 July 1942, having dispersed from Convoy PQ.17 on 04 July 1942, by German Ju88 aircraft of III./KG 30 based at Banak, Norway. Later on the same day in The Barents Sea, when NE of North Cape, was torpedoed and sunk in position 74 54N 037 40E, by U-334
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
02 October 1942 Gazette Issue 35732, Supplement 4349, published 06 October 1942
David Meredith Lyon Evans - MBE (CD) – when Second Officer
Norman William Folwell - BEM (CD) – when Able Seaman
Jeremiah Holman - BEM (CD) – when Able Seaman
George Henry Hooper - BEM (CD) – when Able Seaman
23 October 1942 Gazette Issue 35761, Supplement 4653, published 27 October 1942
Thomas Edward Osborne - DSM - when Acting Leading Seaman, P/J.104932
Captain Hilmar John Stenwick - DSC - when Master
06 November 1942 Gazette Issue 35778, Supplement 4873, published 10 November 1942
George Brittain - BEM (CD) – when Fireman
Stanley White Robinson - MBE (CD) – when Third Engineer Officer
06 November 1942 Gazette Issue 35778, Supplement 4874, published 10 November 1942
Francis Joseph Behan - Commendation – when Chief Steward
Robert William Hughes - Commendation – when Chief Radio Officer
29 January 1943 Gazette Issue 35886, Supplement 604, published 02 February 1943
Andrew Vallance Watt - BEM (CD) – when Apprentice
Ungazetted
David Meredith Lyon Evans - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Second Officer
Andrew Vallance Watt - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Apprentice
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- SCOTT-SMITH, Henry Edward Geves, Polish Cross, CLAN FERGUSON, post 161
The ship in question is:-
CLAN FERGUSON – withdrawal of Polish Troops from France in June 1940
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
21 October 1941 Gazette Issue 35319, Supplement 6108, published 21 October 1941
Captain Henry Edward Geves Scott-Smith - Polish Cross of Valour (Krzyz Walecnych) – when Master

Other awards for this ship:-
CLAN FERGUSON – unknown event (Seedies); grouped in this Commendation in LG are the Masters of CITY OF CALCUTTA, CLAN FERGUSON, IMPERIAL STAR and AJAX and the only time these four ships sailed together was in Operation HALBERD (24 to 27 September 1941) – Supply Convoy to Malta
05 June 1942 Gazette Issue 35588, Supplement 2536, published 09 June 1942
Captain Frank Stewart Lofthouse - Commendation – when Master
Ungazetted
Albert Geoffrey Allson - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Apprentice
Captain Frank Stewart Lofthouse - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Master
CLAN FERGUSON – as per the below and Operation PEDESTAL - supply convoy to Malta in August 1942 – bombed and badly damaged on 12 August 1942 when 20 miles North of Zembra Island by German Ju88s using aerial torpedoes; torpedoed and sunk by the Italian submarine ALAGI (Rohwer and Jordan) in position 37 28N 010 38E (Rohwer); the survivors were interned as POWs in Tunisia; according to convoyweb CLAN FERGUSON was in The Mediterranean from 24 September 1941 to 16 February 1942 sailing in Operation HALBERD as Convoy Commodore, and Convoys ME.8, MW.8A, and ME.10 and then again 10 August 1942 (Operation PEDESTAL) until she was lost on 12 August 1942
25 September 1942 Gazette Issue 35722, Supplement 4223, published 29 September 1942
Captain Frank Stewart Lofthouse - OBE (CD) – when Master
John James Millar – MBE (CD) – when Chief Officer
John Robert Wilde (Deceased) – MBE (CD) – when Chief Engineer Officer
Died 12 August 1942 – Tower Hill Memorial, Panel 30
CLAN FERGUSON – Operation PEDESTAL - supply convoy to Malta in August 1942 – bombed and badly damaged on 12 August 1942 when 20 miles North of Zembra Island by German Ju88s using aerial torpedoes; torpedoed and sunk by the Italian submarine ALAGI (Rohwer and Jordan) in position 37 28N 010 38E (Rohwer); the survivors were interned as POWs in Tunisia
26 March 1943 Gazette Issue 35960, Supplement 1481, published 30 March 1943
Albert Geoffrey Allson - DSM – when Apprentice
Arthur Huntington Black - DSC – when Second Officer
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- SHANNON, William Gardiner, MBE, DUNDRUM CASTLE, post 20
The ship in question is:-
DUNDRUM CASTLE (Union Castle Mail Steamship Company Ltd., London) - Rescue of survivors from LANCASTRIA off St. Nazaire on 17 June 1940; other ships involved in the rescue were BAHARISTAN, CITY OF LANCASTER, CLAN FERGUSON, DUNDRUM CASTLE, FLORISTAN, HMS HAVELOCK, JOHN HOLT, HMS PUNJABI, ULSTER PRINCE, SAINT-MICHEL (ST NAZAIRE small craft), HMS CAMBRIDGESHIRE, CITY OF MOBILE, CYMBULA, FABIAN, GLENAFFARIC, HMS HIGHLANDER ORONSAY ROBERT HOLT, and HMS VANOC
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
23 August 1940 Gazette Issue 34930, Supplement 5200, published 23 August 1940
David Patrick Horndon Klasen - OBE (CD) – when Chief Officer
William Gardiner Shannon (Deceased) - MBE (CD) – when Second Officer
Died 15 July 1942 – Tower Hill Memorial, Panel 52
GLOUCESTER CASTLE

Other awards for this ship:-
DUNDRUM CASTLE - Sank on 02 April 1943 in The Red Sea, in position 14 37N 042 23E after fire broke out
30 November 1943 Gazette Issue 36269, Supplement 5276, published 03 December 1943
Ernest Seymour Nickerson (deceased) - Commendation – when Chief Steward
Died 03 April 1943 – Tower Hill Memorial, Panel 36
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- SHUTE, William Ashley, OBE, TUNISIA, posts 52, 116
The ship in question is:-
TUNISIA - Bombed and sunk on 04 August 1941 when a straggler from Convoy SL.81 in The North Atlantic, in position 53 53N 018 10W, by aircraft
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
02 January 1942 Gazette Issue 35405, Supplement 125, published 06 January 1942
Captain William Ashley Shute - OBE (CD) – when Master
02 January 1942 Gazette Issue 35405, Supplement 127, published 06 January 1942
Ernest Haysham - Commendation – when Able Seaman
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- SIMKINS, Thomas, MBE, LlWM, PINNA, posts 309, 409
The ship in question is:-
PINNA (Anglo-Saxon Petroleum Co.) – Bombed and damaged on 03 February 1942 heading north towards The Rhio Straits, in position 00 52S 104 19E, by Japanese bombers and then sunk on 04 February 1942 by Japanese bombers
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
25 September 1942 Gazette Issue 35722, Supplement 4223, published 29 September 1942
Ralph Wilson Armstrong - BEM (CD) – when Apprentice
Noel Francis Green - MBE (CD) – when Second Engineer Officer
Thomas Simkins - MBE (CD) – when Radio Officer
Captain William Percival Thomas - OBE (CD) – when Master
25 September 1942 Gazette Issue 35722, Supplement 4224, published 29 September 1942
Arthur Townsend Greene - Commendation – when Third Engineer Officer
Ronald Watt - Commendation – when Chief Officer
Ungazetted
Ralph Wilson Armstrong - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Apprentice
Thomas Simkins - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Radio Officer
Captain William Percival Thomas - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Master
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- SIMMONS, John Jenner, OBE, HARPENDEN, posts 9, 138
The ship in question is:-
HARPENDEN - Torpedoed and damaged on 11 September 1940, when in Convoy OA.210, in The North Atlantic, in position 55 34N 015 56W; she was taken in tow and arrived in The Clyde 5 days later to be beached in Kilchattan Bay; on 19 November 1940 taken to Greenock and rebuilt as EMPIRE STOUR
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
10 December 1940 Gazette Issue 35011, Supplement 7014, published 13 December 1940
Captain Charles Parry - OBE (CD) – when Master
John Jenner Simmons - OBE (CD) – when Chief Engineer

Note:-
Captain Charles Parry was later awarded a Commendation when Master of HARLESDEN (J & C Harrison Ltd.) - Sunk on 22 February 1941 in the North Atlantic, in position 47 12N 040 18W, by the German capital ship, GNEISENAU
18 January 1946 Gazette Issue 374347, Supplement 563, published 22 January 1946
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- SIMPSON, Jack, MBE, LlWM, STRATHALLAN, posts 80, 112
The ship in question is:-
STRATHALLAN – when in Convoy KMF.5 was torpedoed and damaged on 21 December 1942 at 0225 hours in the Mediterranean in position 36 52N 000 34W by U-562; taken in tow by Destroyer HMS LAFOREY and later by HMT RESTIVE but sank on 22 December 1942 at 0400 just 12 miles from safety at Oran in position 36 01N 000 33W
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
07 May 1943 Gazette Issue 36007, Supplement 2091, published 11 May 1943
Captain John Henry Biggs - CBE (CD) – when Master
Albert John Clark - BEM (CD) - when Winchman
Christopher Herbert Goodall - BEM (CD) – when Steward
John Cavendish William Last - OBE (CD) – when Chief Officer
George James MacLennan - OBE (CD) – when Chief Engineer Officer
Thomas Robert St. Clair McKibbin - BEM (CD) – when Cadet
Jack Simpson - MBE (CD) – when Supernumerary 4th Engineer
07 May 1943 Gazette Issue 36007, Supplement 2094, published 11 May 1943
David Benjamin Davies - Commendation – when Assistant Steward
Donald Alexander Orr - Commendation – when Assistant Engineer Officer
John Frank Wacher - Commendation – when Cadet
Harry Richard Wade - Commendation – when Cadet
Ungazetted
Captain John Henry Biggs - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Master
Christopher Herbert Goodall - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Steward
George James MacLennan - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Chief Engineer Officer
Jack Simpson - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Supernumerary 4th Engineer

Other awards for this ship:-
05 June 1942 Gazette Issue 35586, Supplement 2504, published 11 June 1942
George William Goulden - BEM (CD) – 1942 Birthday Honours – when Electrician
05 June 1942 Gazette Issue 35586, Supplement 2506, published 11 June 1942
Neil Whyte - BEM (CD) – 1942 Birthday Honours – when Carpenter
29 December 1942 Gazette Issue 35843, Supplement 73, published 04 January 1943
Herbert George Hammond - BEM (CD) – 1943 New Year’s Honours – when Second Steward
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- SINCLAIR, A.W., Commendation, CITY OF BRUSSELS, post 13
The ship in question is:-
CITY OF BRUSSELS (Brussels Steamship Company Ltd., London) - Destruction of aircraft then seized in Brussels 13 May 1940
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
26 July 1940 Gazette Issue 34908, Supplement 4655, published 26 July 1940
Elliot Allard - BEM (CD) - when Gunlayer - Merchant Navy: Gunlayer (Seedies)
Joseph Gallacher - Commendation – when Fireman
Alec MacDonald - Commendation – when 2nd Officer
Captain Thomas Neilson Murray - Commendation – when Master
AW Sinclair - Commendation – when Chief Officer
Frederick Charles Webster - Commendation - when Fireman
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- SISTERSON, Gilbert, OBE, CITY OF PRETORIA, posts 62, 165
The ship in question is:-
CITY OF PRETORIA (Ellermans) – Convoy GM.1 – Supply Convoy to Malta, departing Gibraltar 20 July 1941 and arriving Malta 24 July 1941; then Independent sailing with PORT CHALMERS departing Malta at dusk on 27 September 1941, escorted briefly by a local corvette escort; at dawn on 28 September 1941 they separated and she arrived in Gibraltar on 30 September 1941 having beaten off an attack by three torpedo bombers and evaded two probable submarine attacks; both vessels flew the French flag during the passage to Gibraltar
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
05 June 1942 Gazette Issue 35588, Supplement 2535, published 09 June 1942
Captain Frank Deighton - OBE (CD) – when Master
John Gundry Midlen - MBE (CD) – when Chief Officer
Gilbert Sisterson - OBE (CD) – when Chief Engineer

Other awards for this ship:-
06 June 1941 Gazette Issue 35184, Supplement 3299, published 12 June 1941
Thomas Brannen - BEM (CD) – 1941 Birthday Honours – when Carpenter
30 December 1941 Gazette Issue 35399, Supplement 30, published 01 January 1942
Ana Mian - BEM (CD) – 1942 New Year’s Honours – when Second Deck Tindal

CITY OF PRETORIA – unknown event (Seedies) – she sailed in Operations VIGOROUS, SUBSTANCE, MINCEMEAT and HALBERD
20 November 1942 Gazette Issue 35796, Supplement 5106, published 24 November 1942
Captain Frank Deighton - Commendation – when Master
Desmond Ebe – should read Desmond John Eke - Commendation – when Cadet
John Gundry Midlen - Commendation – when Chief Officer
Leslie William James Pocock - Commendation – when Carpenter
Gilbert Sisterson - Commendation – when Chief Engineer
Maurice John Ware - Commendation – when Purser
12 February 1943 Gazette Issue 35905, Supplement 824, published 16 February 1943
Chand Mian x Abidmian - Commendation – when Deck Lascar
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- SMITH, Bertram Hugh, MBE, LlWM, SHAHRISTAN, posts 57, 118
The ship in question is:-
SHAHRISTAN - Torpedoed and sunk on 29 July 1941, having dispersed from Convoy OS.1, in The North Atlantic, SE of The Azores, in position 35 19N 023 53W, by U-371
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
02 January 1942 Gazette Issue 35405, Supplement 126, published 06 January 1942
Rupert Edward Gardiner - MBE (CD) – when Chief Officer
Edwin Goodridge - MBE (CD) – when Second Engineer
James Linton - BEM (CD) – when Cadet
Bertram Hugh Smith - MBE (CD) – when First Radio Officer
02 January 1942 Gazette Issue 35405, Supplement 127, published 06 January 1942
Henry Cottrell - Commendation – when Gunner - Merchant Navy: Gunner (Seedies)
John William Arthur Kayler - Commendation – when Cadet
Alan Winter - Commendation – when Fourth Engineer
Ungazetted
Rupert Edward Gardiner - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Chief Officer
Bertram Hugh Smith - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when First Radio Officer
Cheers
Mike