Merchant Navy awards

Richelieu · Feb 13, 2023

Sophie lucia said: ↑

Do we know much about the Swedish ship Castor that picked them up.
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Castor was also caught-up in the Psilanderaffären in June 1940, now largely forgotten in Britain, when Churchill ordered the Royal Navy to seize some destroyers and torpedo boats that the Swedes had recently purchased from Italy. Not Britain’s finest hour and, after Swedish protests, the ships were swiftly returned.

Richelieu · Jun 4, 2023

Mike Kinnear said: ↑

Ref:- WHYMAN, Berth, BEM, HIGHLANDER, post 19
The ship in question is:-
HIGHLANDER (North of Scotland and Orkney and Shetland Steam Navigation Company Ltd.) – destruction of two enemy aircraft on 01 August 1940
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
06 August 1940 Gazette Issue 34915, Supplement 4807, published 06 August 1940
George Anderson - BEM (CD) – when Able Seaman
William Birnie - Commendation – when Able Seaman
Miss Cockburn - Commendation - when Stewardess
Captain William Gifford - OBE (CD) – when Master
Laurence Smith Halcrow - Commendation – when Steward
Berth Whyman - BEM (CD) – when Fireman
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Gallantry Awards | The National Archives

Page 4807 | Issue 34915, 6 August 1940 | London Gaz...

Richelieu · Jun 4, 2023

Mike Kinnear said: ↑

Ref:- WEBSTER, Frederick Charles, 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
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Gallantry Awards | The National Archives

Page 4655 | Supplement 34908, 26 July 1940 | London...

Richelieu · Jun 9, 2023

Mike Kinnear said: ↑

Ref:- MISSEN, James George Henry, Commendation, STORK, post 177
The ship in question is:-
STORK (General Steam Navigation Company Ltd., London) – bombed in Boulogne May 1940; destruction of enemy aircraft
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
13 August 1940 Gazette Issue 34921, Supplement 5000, published 13 August 1940
Captain Robert James Carey - Commendation – when Master
Hubert Beaumont Kemp - Commendation – when Lewis Gunner - Merchant Navy: Lewis Gunner (Seedies)
William Harold Maryson - Commendation – when Gunner - Merchant Navy: Gunner (Seedies)
James George Henry Missen - Commendation – when Gunlayer - Merchant Navy: Gunlayer (Seedies)
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Gallantry Awards | The National Archives

Page 5000 | Supplement 34921, 13 August 1940 | Lond...

Richelieu · Jun 9, 2023

Mike Kinnear said: ↑

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
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Gallantry Awards | The National Archives

Page 4656 | Supplement 34908, 26 July 1940 | London...

Richelieu · Jun 9, 2023

Mike Kinnear said: ↑

Ref:- YATES, Francis Victor, BEM, WORTHTOWN, post 18
The ship in question is:-
WORTHTOWN (Comben, Longstaff & Company Ltd., London) – destroyed an enemy aircraft – bombed and sunk on 27 May 1940 at Dunkirk by aircraft; salved and taken as a prize by the Germans
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
26 July 1940 Gazette Issue 34908, Supplement 4656, published 26 July 1940
William Hudson Jensen - BEM (CD) – when Gunlayer - Merchant Navy: Gunlayer (Seedies)
Captain Richard Thomas – OBE (CD) – when Master
Francis Victor Yates - BEM (CD) – when Gunner - Merchant Navy: Gunner (Seedies)
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Gallantry Awards | The National Archives

Page 4656 | Supplement 34908, 26 July 1940 | London...

Richelieu · Jun 10, 2023

Mike Kinnear said: ↑

Ref:- BROWN, Alexander, OBE, EARLSPARK, post 175
The ship in question is:-
EARLSPARK (Denholm Line Steamers Ltd., Glasgow) – torpedoed and sunk on 12 June 1940 in the North Atlantic, NW of Cape Finisterre, in position 42 26N 011 33W, by U-101
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
13 August 1940 Gazette Issue 34921, Supplement 4999, published 13 August 1940
Alexander Brown - OBE (CD) - when First Officer
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Gallantry Awards | The National Archives

Page 4999 | Supplement 34921, 13 August 1940 | Lond...

Richelieu · Jun 10, 2023

Mike Kinnear said: ↑

Ref:- HOLDEN, Maurice, BEM, post 176
The ship in question is:-
EMPIRE COMMERCE (Ministry of Shipping) - Mined and severely damaged on 09 June 1940 in The North Sea, 220 degrees x 5 cables from NE Spit Buoy (Lloyds) 4 cables West of NE Spit Buoy, near Margate (BVLAS); she was beached but drifted off the sand bank; she was then taken in tow and beached on Mucking Sands, River Thames where her cargo of wood pulp was discharged and she was declared a CTL; she was the first EMPIRE vessel to be lost in WW2
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
13 August 1940 Gazette Issue 34921, Supplement 4999, published 13 August 1940
Maurice Holden - BEM (CD) – when Greaser
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Gallantry Awards | The National Archives

Page 4999 | Supplement 34921, 13 August 1940 | Lond...

JimHerriot · Jul 21, 2023

Hugh MacLean said: ↑

Post No. 386 refers.

From The Times, September 15, 1943:
From The Times, October 22, 1943:

Cargo Liner SHILLONG, official number, 167175, built 1939 P & O SN Co.
4.4.1943: Torpedoed and sunk by *U-630 (Werner Winkler) in the North Atlantic. * other sources credit U-635 (Eckelmann) and this submarine is credited with attacking and damaging the ship prior to U-630 sinking her (U-boat.net).

London Gazette 14 September 1943 - For services when the ship was torpedoed and sunk and for their conduct during eight days in an open boat.

CLOWE, David Eric - Apprentice - George Medal
MOORE, Alan Bruce - Apprentice - George Medal
FRANCIS, Gerard - Apprentice - Posthumous Commendation

London Gazette 7 September 1943 - For services when the ship was torpedoed and sunk

BARNES, Arthur MacLaren D/JX 248505 - Able Seaman RN - BEM(Mil)

London Gazette 7 December 1943 - For services when the ship was torpedoed and sunk

COLEMAN. Kenneth Allerton - Third Officer - Posthumous Commendation

A copy of the citation is here: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36167/supplement/4064/data.pdf#view=Fit&toolbar=1

It was his 19th birthday the day he was torpedoed and his friend Alan Bruce Moore also lost both his legs amputated below the knee and the tips of all his fingers to frostbite.

Regards
Hugh

View attachment 145147
© IWM (A 19136) courtesy of IWM - http://media.iwm.org.uk/iwm/mediaLib/504/media-504316/large.jpg?action=d&cat=photographs
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For Dbf, Hugh, and all. Faces to names, names to faces.

Endurance and the will to live.

Alan Moore at left, his friend, shipmate, and fellow George Medal earner David Clowe to right.

Always remember, never forget,

Jim.

Richelieu · Sep 18, 2023

Mike Kinnear said: ↑

Ref:- TOWNS, Robert George, Commendation, BALTEAKO, post 24
The ship in question is:-
BALTEAKO (Anglo-Latvian Shipping Company Ltd., London) – damaged by bombing on 20 May 1940 at Narvik
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
23 August 1940 Gazette Issue 34930, Supplement 5199, published 23 August 1940
Captain Francis Stanley Jackson Butcher - OBE (CD) – when Master
Robert George Towns - Commendation – when Chief Engineer
23 August 1940 Gazette Issue 34930, Supplement 5200, published 23 August 1940
John Alexander Smith - BEM (CD) – when Assistant Steward

Further awards for this ship were:-
02 June 1944 Gazette Issue 36547, Supplement 2670, published 10 June 1944
Robert George Towns - OBE (CD) – 1944 Birthday Honours - when Chief Engineer
Cheers
Mike
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Gallantry Awards | The National Archives

Page 5199 | Supplement 34930, 23 August 1940 | Lond...
Page 5200 | Supplement 34930, 23 August 1940 | Lond...

Richelieu · Sep 18, 2023

Mike Kinnear said: ↑

Ref:- LITTLEDALE, William John, MBE, LlWM, RFA BROOMDALE, post 25
The ship in question is:-
Oiler RFA BROOMDALE (Admiralty) – Bombed and damaged on 16 May 1940 at Tjeldsundet, Norway, by aircraft
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
23 August 1940 Gazette Issue 34930, Supplement 5200, published 23 August 1940
Alexander Ballantyne - OBE (MD) – when Chief Engineer
William Herbert Victor Davis – RFA say Davies - MBE (MD) – when Temporary Second Engineer Officer
William John Littledale - MBE (MD) – when Second Engineer
Ungazetted
Alexander Ballantyne - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Chief Engineer
William Herbert Victor Davis – RFA say Davies - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Temporary Second Engineer Officer
William John Littledale - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Second Engineer
Cheers
Mike
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Gallantry Awards | The National Archives

Page 5200 | Supplement 34930, 23 August 1940 | Lond...

Richelieu · Sep 18, 2023

Mike Kinnear said: ↑

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
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Gallantry Awards | The National Archives

Page 5200 | Supplement 34930, 23 August 1940 | Lond...

Richelieu · Sep 18, 2023

Mike Kinnear said: ↑

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
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Gallantry Awards | The National Archives

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34930/supplement/5200

Richelieu · Sep 30, 2023 at 5:08 PM

ALEXIA – 2 August 1940

Captain Alfred George Edward Short, Master – OBE
George McDonald Dickson, Third Engineer - MBE
Martin Stanislans O'Hanlon, Radio Officer – Commended
Herbert Frank Thacker, Fifth Engineer – Commended
William Davis Emrys Thomas, Apprentice – Commended
P.O. Barrance, Gunner – Commended

Gallantry Awards | The National Archives

Page 5889 | Supplement 34963, 4 October 1940 | Lond...

She was also bombed 11 Sep 40, incurring damage to her engine room and requiring the services of HM Tug Brigand, and was torpedoed a second time 10 Aug 42 but survived to be converted to a MAC.

Despite all the enemy attention that she had attracted, Alexia appears to have been a lucky ship for her crew, for as far as I can see, no lives were lost during these attacks.

Richelieu · Sep 30, 2023 at 5:28 PM

ARGOS HILL - 4 July 1940

Ernest Burnett, Chief Engineer - MBE

Gallantry Awards | The National Archives

Page 5890 | Supplement 34963, 4 October 1940 | Lond...

Richelieu · Oct 1, 2023 at 12:31 PM

Mike Kinnear said: ↑

ORONSAY (Orient Steam Navigation Company Ltd., London) - Rescue services on 17 June 1940 when LANCASTRIA was sunk off St. Nazaire
04 October 1940 Gazette Issue 34963, Supplement 5891, published 08 October 1940
Ivan Ernest Goodman Goldsworthy - Commendation - when Staff Commander
Captain Arthur Edward Nicholls - OBE (CD) - when Master
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Gallantry Awards | The National Archives

Page 5891 | Supplement 34963, 4 October 1940 | Lond...

Richelieu · Oct 1, 2023 at 1:17 PM

EMPIRE CRUSADER - 8 August 1940

Joseph Edward Cowper, Chief Engineer - MBE
William Robson, Acting Able Seaman - Commended

Gallantry Awards | The National Archives

Page 5890 | Supplement 34963, 4 October 1940 | Lond...

Richelieu · Oct 1, 2023 at 4:05 PM

Sanfry (946 tons) - 26 July 1940

Captain Harold Lawson, Master - MBE
Leslie Depledge, Steward - Commended
Joseph Lawson, Deckhand - Commended

Record Type: Memorandum Former Reference: WP (40) 298 Title: Weekly Resume... | The National Archives

Gallantry Awards | The National Archives

Her lost companions:

Page 5891 | Supplement 34963, 4 October 1940 | Lond...

The Lawson brothers and Depledge also received the Lloyd's War Medal for Bravery at Sea.

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