Merchant Navy awards

Post no.95 refers.
GALLANTRY AT SEA
HEROES OF THE MERCHANT NAVY

O.B.E.
Edward Charles Miller, chief engineer officer

M.B.E.
Stanley White Robinson, third engineer officer

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL
George Brittain, fireman

For brave conduct and devotion to duty during the passage of a convoy to North Russia


RIVER AFTON official number 164063 built in 1935.
5.7.1942: Torpedoed and sunk by U-703 (Bielfeld), in the Arctic Sea NE of Kola, in position 75.57N 43.00E while sailing independently on government service from Middlesbrough to Archangel via Reykjavik, with the convoy's commodore, 5 naval staff, 2 passengers and a cargo of 12 vehicles, 36 tanks, 7 aircraft and 2314 tons of military stores, dispersed from the ill-fated convoy PQ 17 comprising 36 ships. The Master, Capt Harold William Charlton, Commodore John C.K. Dowding CBE DSO RNR RD, 31 crew, 1 gunner, 1 passenger and 3 naval staff were rescued by HM corvette LOTUS and landed at Matochkin, Novaya Zemlya, USSR. 15 crew, 8 gunners, 1 passenger and 2 naval staff were lost.
Regards
Hugh

 

Post no 92 refers.
GALLANTRY AT SEA
HEROES OF THE MERCHANT NAVY

O.B.E.
Captain Walter Bird, master

When the ship was sunk by gun-fire from a Japanese submarine, the master saw the ship's boats away and then embarked in a boat which he navigated to the Dutch East Indies. He saw his ship's company housed and the wounded attended to. Then, with six volunteers, he set out in a ship's lifeboat for Ceylon. On the twenty-fourth day of the passage he was rescued by a Greek vessel being then off Madras.


CHILKA official number 146280 built 1922.

11.3.1942: Damaged by gunfire and set on fire by Japanese submarine I-2 (Inada), in the Indian Ocean near Padang, Sumatra, in position 00.23S 95.41E while sailing independently on government service on a voyage from Calcutta to Padang, Sumatra, to evacuate civillians and service personnel. She later sank 60 miles S of Padang, in position 00.30S 95.50E. The Master, Capt Walter Bird, and 6 crew were resuced by Greek ship PIPINA and landed at Cuddalore, EC India. 112 crew landed on the Mentawei Islands and were taken prisoner by the Japanese. 7 crew were lost. Capt W Bird was awarded the Lloyds War Medal for bravery at sea.

Another award I have come across is the BEM to Cadet Shahabuddin.

Other sources state Capt Bird's lifeboat was adrift for 54 days before rescue.

Regards
Hugh

 

Post no 76. refers
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.


GWYNWOOD official number 165597 built 1937.

The collier GWYNWOOD, Capt. H. Cook, was bombed and sunk by German aircraft on February 4th, 1941, while awaiting convoy in the River Humber. Capt. Cook, eight crew and two gunners were killed.

Chief officer Tom Collier was also awarded the Lloyds War Medal for bravery at sea.

Regards
Hugh

 

Post no. 78 refers

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 leavig thus preventing any chance of explosion. Mr. Walker is 60.


William Walker was the third engineer of RUSHPOOL, official number 160757 built in 1928 for Sir R. Ropner & Co Ltd, West Hartlepool.

30.1.1941: Torpedoed and sunk by U-94 (Kuppisch), in the Atlantic SE of Rockall, in position 56.00N 15.42W while on a voyage from St John, New Brunswick to Belfast via Halifax NS, with a cargo of 7714 tons of grain, a straggler from convoy SC 19 comprising 27 ships. The Master, Capt William George Stewart Hewison and crew of 39 were rescued by HM destroyer ANTELOPE and landed at Greenock.
Regards
Hugh

 

Post no 105 refers

SIX DAYS' BATTLE IN THE ARTIC
MERCHANT NAVY SKILL AND BRAVERY

C.B.E.
Captain James Thompson Hair, Master

M.B.E.
John Lewis, chief officer
James Weatherston, second officer

The vessel was acting as vice-commodore's ship in a North Russian convoy which was attacked unceasingly. The commodore's ship was so badly damaged that the commodore transferred his authority to the vice-commodore, Capain Hair, who manoeuvred his ship and the convoy in a masterly and seamanlike manner. His conduct and that of his ship's company was in the highest traditions of the Merchant Navy.

The master was splendidly supported by his officers, particularly the chief and second officers, who showed ceaseless devotion to duty, remaining at their posts without rest or relief throughout the whole six days of the attacks. The work of the second officer was outstanding in that, apart from his normal ship's duty, he maintained the supply of ammunition to all the guns.


Captain James Thompson Hair, was the master of cargo ship EMPIRE SELWYN official number 168924. He and the officers named above received their awards for actions aboard the ship during the Russian convoy PQ 16.

Captain Hair also received the Lloyds War Medal for bravery at sea.

EMPIRE SELWYN was renamed BELGIAN SOLDIER later in 1942 and was attacked and damaged by U-553 (Thurmann) on 3 August 1942 and sunk by U-607 (Mengersen) on 4 August 1942.

Regards
Hugh

 

Post no. 106 refers.
SIX DAYS' BATTLE IN THE ARTIC
MERCHANT NAVY SKILL AND BRAVERY

O.B.E.
Captain Harry Austin, master
Captain John Henry Reardon Smith, master

The ships were part of an important North Russian convoy which was subjected to very heavy enemy attacks. Both masters showed consistent courage and devotion to duty throughout. They handled their ships with great skill and, in the course of a series of close and heavy air assaults, directed their armament to such good effect that they destroyed two enemy aircraft.

Both were masters of ships in the Russian convoy PQ 15 which departed Oban on 10th April 1942 and arrived in Murmansk on 5th May 1942 with the loss of four ships.

Captain Harry Austin was Master of cargo ship SOUTHGATE official number 149746. He was also awarded the Lloyds War Medal for bravery at sea

Captain John Henry Reardon Smith was master of cargo ship BOTAVON official number 131445. BOTAVON was bombed and damaged by German aircraft with the loss of 21 of her crew on 2nd May 1942. She was abandoned and sunk by HMS BADSWORTH. Captain Smith was also awarded the Lloyds War Medal for bravery at sea.

Captain Smith survived this sinking but was not so lucky the following year. On 20th March 1943 he was in command of FORT MUMFORD which was torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-27 (Fukumura), in the Indian Ocean about 500 miles NW of Ceylon with the loss of 50 of her crew. The sole survivor, seaman gunner H.Bailey, was rescued by an Arab dhow and landed at Mikindani, Tanganyika.

Regards
Hugh

 

Post no.80 refers.
MERCHANT NAVY HEROES OF U-BOAT WAR

C.B.E.
Captain John Henry Biggs, Master

O.B.E.
John Cavendish William Last, Chief Officer
Goerge James MacLennan, Chief Eng. Officer

M.B.E.
Jack Simpson, Supernumerary Fourth Eng. Officer

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL
Albert John Clark, Winchman
Christopher Herbert Goodall, Steward
Thomas Robert St. Clair McKibbin, Cadet

The ship was torpedoed in darkness and as a precautionary measured boats were lowered and the passengers and the majority of the crew taken off. Although temporary repairs were carried out and the ship was taken in tow, it became necessary to transfer the remainder of those on board, with the exception of a number of key men. Shortly afterwards a fire broke out and was soon out of control. The master and others on board were forced to leave the ship. Efforts to tow board were continued, but shortly afterwards she sank.

The master displayed courage and he made determined efforts to save his ship. It was due to his leadership and organization that only seven lives were lost.

The chief engineer officer, with asssistance, rescued a fireman who was trapped under the gratings in the engine-room. He found a large number of men whose exit from one of the lower decks had been blocked and led them up on deck viat the engine-room.


Passenger ship STRATHALLAN official number 166371 built in 1938 for P & O.

21/12/1942: Torpedoed and damaged by U-562 (Hamm), in the Mediterranean 40 miles N of Oran, in position 36.52N 00.34W while on government service employed as a troopship on a voyage from Glasgow 11.12.1942 to Algiers, carrying 4408 British and US troops and 248 Queen Alexandra nurses, part of convoy KMF 5 comprising 12 ships. The Master, Capt John Henry Biggs CBE, 426 crew, 248 nurses, 296 army officers and 4112 warrant officers and other ranks were rescued by HM destroyes LAFOREY, VERITY, PATHFINDER and landed at Oran. Taken in tow by HMS LAFOREY, and later joined by HM rescue tug RESTIVE, towing proved unsuccessful and she capsized en route to Oran and sank on 22.12.1942.

Captain Biggs, Chief Engineer MacLennan, Fourth Engineer Simpson and Steward Goodall were all also awarded the Lloyds War Medal for bravery at sea.

Regards
Hugh

 

Post no 64 refers.
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.

Tanker SAN ARCADIO official number 163590 built in 1937 for Eagle Oil Shipping Co. Ltd - London.

31.1.1942: Torpedoed and sunk by U-107 (Gelhaus), part of 'Operation Paukenschlag' (Drumbeat), the second wave of five U-boats, in the Atlantic N of Bermuda, in position 38.10N 63.50W while sailing independently on a voyage from Houston to the Mersey via Halifax NS, with a cargo of 6600 tons of gas oil and 3300 tons of lubricating oil. The Master, Capt Walter Frederick Flynn, 37 crew and 3 gunners were lost. 7 crew and 2 gunners were rescued by Mariner flying boat from US Navy Patrol Squadron VP-74 and landed at Bermuda.

Third officer J.R. Stephen was also awarded the Lloyds War Medal for bravery at sea.

Regards
Hugh

 

Post no. 46 refers.
GALLANT MERCHANT SEAMEN

M.B.E.
Captain John Wharton, master

The ship was struck in darkness, and sank within four minutes. Owing to the fine organization of the master, all but two of the crew got away. The masters own lifeboat held 22 men. He set a course for land some 380 miles away. After 11 days, during which time the boat frequently met heavy weather, all but one of her people reached safety.

Cargo ship HARPATHIAN official number 161434 built in 1930 for J. & C. Harrison Ltd, London.
9.4.1941: Torpedoed and sunk by U-107 (Hessler), in the Atlantic SE of the Azores, in position 32.22N 22.53W while on a voyage from Middlesbrough and the Clyde to Freetown with a cargo of RAF stores, part of convoy OG 57 comprising 37 ships. The Master, Capt John Wharton MBE, 36 crew and 2 gunners landed at Hierro, Canary Islands. 3 crew and 1 gunner were lost.

Captain Wharton was torpedoed later in the war while serving on EMPIRE BYRON part of the ill fated convoy PQ 17. The ship was attacked on 4th July 1942 by a German He111 torpedo bomber. She fell behind the convoy and was torpedoed the next day by U-703 (Bielfeld). Capt. Wharton was awarded the Lloyds War Medal for bravery at sea. He survived the war.

Regards
Hugh

 

Post no. 50 refers.
MERCHANT NAVY AWARDS
BRAVERY AND SKILFUL SEAMANSHIP

O.B.E.
Captain A.D. Davies, Master

The ship was torpedoed at night. She listed so sharply that the Master gave orders to abandon her. Four boats got away without incident, but one in charge of the Master struck the sea stern first. The plug was knocked out, some equipment was lost, and the boat began to fill. During this time the enemy began to shell the sinking ship.

The Master had the boat baled out, transferred some men from another lifeboat which was even more damaged and set sail for land. The rudder had been lost and steering was done by oar. The Master sailed his deeply laden craft 500 miles to safety. For eight days he maintained steady discipline, and by his good seamanship saved the lives of the 26 men under his care.

Cargo ship NALGORA official number 146303 built in 1922 for British India SN Co.
2.1.1941: Torpedoed and sunk by gunfire by U-65 (v. Stockhausen), in the Atlantic 350 miles N of the Cape Verde Islands, in position 22.24N 21.11W while sailing independently on a voyage from Leith and Rosyth to Aden and Alexandria, with passengers and a cargo of boom defence gear, dispersed on 22.10.1940 from convoy OB 261 comprising 41 ships. The Master, Capt Aubrey Devereux Davies, 101 crew and 3 passengers were rescued after 8 days adrift in open boats. The British ship NOLISEMENT rescued 52 survivors who were landed at Freetown and British ship UMGENI rescued 34 survivors who were landed at Glasgow 13.1.1941, and 19 crew in a lifeboat were landed at San Antonio, Cape Verde Islands.

Regards
Hugh

 

Post no.52 refers.
MERCHANT NAVY AWARDS
BRAVERY AND SKILFUL SEAMANSHIP

O.B.E
Captain W.A. Shute, Master

The ship was hit by bombs from enemy aircraft and had to be abandoned. The Master, with four men, remained on board to destroy confidential papers and books. They left the ship in the starboard jolly boat to which were transferred stores and gear from damaged lifeboats. After eight days they reached port, having travelled about 200 miles by the use of oars and a blanket set as a sail. The Master put up a stout defence, and by means of excellent organization and good seamanship brought his boat to land.

Cargo ship TUNISIA (Capt. W.A. Shute, OBE) official number 143988 built in 1927 for F.C.Strick & Co.
Bombed and sunk by German aircraft about 350 miles due W. of Achill Head, Co. Mayo, on August 4th, 1941. The crew took to the boats but 38
of them were lost. Capt. Shute was among the five survivors.

Just a year later on 23 August 1942 Captain Shute was lost together with all his crew when his ship HAMLA official number 161290 was torpedoed and sunk by U-506 (Wurdermann), in the South Atlantic SE of Fernando Noronha, Brazil, in position 04.00S 24.00W while sailing independently on a voyage from Rio de Janeiro to the UK via Trinidad and Freetown, with a cargo of manganese ore.

CWGC :: Casualty Details
Master WILLIAM ASHLEY SHUTE O B E, S.S. Hamla (London), Merchant Navy who died age 40 on 18 August 1942
Son of William and Isabella Shute; husband of Esther Leonora Shute, of Plympton, Devon.
Remembered with honour TOWER HILL MEMORIAL
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 54.


Regards
Hugh

 

Post no.56 refers.
MERCHANT NAVY AWARDS
BRAVERY AND SKILFUL SEAMANSHIP

M.B.E.
Chief Officer A. Lawson

GEORGE MEDAL
First Radio Officer F.W.T. McGowan

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL
A.C. Davis, boatswain
J. Piccirillo, second steward

When the ship was attacked by enemy aircraft her defensive armament was at once brought into action. The enemy made three runs, and in the third the ship received such damage that she was set on fire and later sank. The chief officer was wounded and stunned, but when he had recovered he organized the getting away of the boats, the care of the wounded, and the freeing of rafts which were to carry the many survivors previously picked up from other vessels. In this he was helped by the boatswain, who was himself wounded, and by the second steward, who was tireless in his efforts to spare the hurt.

The first radio officer, after transmitting the distress message, was trapped in his cabin with three others, but forced his way out and returned three times to release the others, two of whom were badly hurt.



Cargo ship WALMER CASTLE official number 165337 built in 1936 for Union-Castle Mail S.S.Co Ltd, London.
The motorship WALMER CASTLE, Capt. G. L. Clarke, was serving as a rescue ship in a convoy OG 74 from Glasgow to Gibraltar. On September 21st, 1941, she was bombed and set on fire by German aircraft about 750 miles W.N.W. of Cape Finisterre. The derelict had to be sunk by gunfire. The captain and ten of the crew were killed. The ship had on board 81 survivors from other ships sunk, 29 of these were lost. The wireless officer was awarded the George Medal for rescuing three men trapped in a cabin.

Other awards: Lloyds War Medal for bravery at sea.
Clark G.L. - Master
Hill H.V - Cook
McGowan, F. W. T - Chief Radio Officer
Davis A.C. - Boatswain.

Regards
Hugh

 

Post no.57 refers.
MERCHANT NAVY AWARDS
BRAVERY AND SKILFUL SEAMANSHIP

M.B.E.
Chief Officer R.E. Gardiner
First Radio Officer B.H. Smith
Second Engineer E. Goodridge

BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL
J. Linton, cadet

The ship was torpedoed and was so badly damaged that she had to be abandoned. The first radio officer sent out signals on the emergency set until the last moment and then helped to get the boats away. One overturned, but six men, including Mr. Smith and the second engineer regained it and cut the painter, allowig it to drift clear of the burning ship. This boat lay to her sea anchor during the night. In the morning two other boats were seen, but owing to the heavy swell and the fact taht there were no oars, they could not join company.

Later Mr. Goodridge was able to rig a jury rudder and sail, and a course was set. After a week they were rescued. During this time Cadet Linton who is under 18 years of age, was in charge of the boat altogether for 41 hours to give his seniors some rest. He showed skilful seamanship and good judgment.

The Chief Officer, in charge of another boat, showed courage and fine leadership. Although most of his company knew nothing of boat work, and although he had no instruments and was in great pain, he brought his boat to safety in 10 days.



Cargo ship SHAHRISTAN official number 166563 built in 1938 for Strick Line Ltd, London.
30.7.1941: Torpedoed and sunk by U-371 (Driver), in the Atlantic SE of the Azores, in position 35.19N 23.53W while on a voyage from London and the Clyde to Basrah, with 68 passengers, government stores and general cargo. The Master, Capt Eric Henry Wilson, 38 crew and 26 passengers were lost. 33 survivors were rescued by Spanish tanker CAMPECHE, 37 survivors rescued by HM corvette SUNFLOWER were landed at Ponta Delgada, Azores; 6 survivors were rescued by HM armed merchant cruiser DERBYSHIRE and landed at Greenock.

Other awards: Lloyds War Medal for bravery at sea.

Chief Officer R.E. Gardiner
First Radio Officer B.H. Smith

Regards
Hugh

 

Post no.59 refers.
MERCHANT NAVY AWARDS
BRAVERY AND SKILFUL SEAMANSHIP

M.B.E.
D.T. McRuvie, Skipper
W.C. Jarman, Deck Hand

The steam trawler was fishing when he was attacked by an enemy aircraft and her rudder was blown away. Another aircraft attacked from straight ahead, and the vessel was again damaged. The master acted swiftly and with courage. He opened so effective a fire that the second aircraft was certainly hit and was probably lost. He then put out the starboard trawl-board and used it as a jury rudder to keep his ship before the heavy swell. The holes were plugged and flooding was kept down. By line seamanship and resource he brought his command towards an examination vessel over 20 miles away, and was later towed to safety.

Protected only by a wooden shield, Deckhand Jarman stood to his Lewis gun and, although blown from his post by blast and half stunned, he continued to fire until the enemy was out of range.

Steam trawler BEN SCREEL built in 1915.
Both men received their awards after their vessel BEN SCREEL came under air attack from German aircraft on 2nd June 1941. She was bombed and damaged again later that same year on 12th Novermber.

Sadly, Capt David Tawse McRuvie and deckhand William Charles Jarman were both killed along with another 7 of the crew when on Christmas Day 1942 BEN SCREEL detonated a mine.

Regards
Hugh