Merchant Navy awards

Ref:- WATSON, William Warriner, Polish Cross, DELIUS, post 161
The ship in question is:-
DELIUS – 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
Albert John Toy - Polish Cross of Valour (Krzyz Walecnych)
Captain William Warriner Watson - Polish Cross of Valour (Krzyz Walecnych) – when Master

Other Awards for this ship:-
DELIUS (Lamport and Holt Lines Ltd., Liverpool) – damaged by bombing on 27 April 1940 and again on 29 April 1940 when at Aandalsnes in Romsdalsfjord, Norway whilst in Convoy TM.1
04 October 1940 Gazette Issue 34963, Supplement 5890, published 08 October 1940
FB Buckingham – Seedies say FF Buckingham - Commendation – when Signalman
Joseph William Doyle - Commendation - when Gunlayer - Merchant Navy: Gunlayer (Seedies)
William Blyth Rutherford - MBE (CD) – when Chief Engineer
Captain William Warriner Watson - OBE (CD) - when Master
George Robert Siggins H. Wearing - Commendation – when Telegraphist
DELIUS – damaged on 21 November 1943 in the North Atlantic in position 46 46N 018 30W by glider bomb
14 April 1944 Gazette Issue 36473, Supplement 1773 published 18 April 1944
Gilbert Filshie - OBE (CD) – when Chief Engineer Officer
Gordon Marshall - OBE (CD) – when Chief Officer
Frederick John Page - BEM (CD) – when Boatswain
Reginald Arthur Philpott - BEM (CD) – when Carpenter
14 April 1944 Gazette Issue 36473, Supplement 1774 published 18 April 1944
Lionel Brazill - Commendation – when Senior Radio Officer
John Johnstone - Commendation – when Junior Engineer Officer -
Kenneth Basil Keith Nye - Commendation – when Second Radio Officer
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- WAUGH, Henry George, Commendation, MAVIS, post 16
The ship in question is:-
MAVIS (General Steam Navigation Company Ltd., London) - Bombed and badly damaged on 20 May 1940, when off No. 4 Green Buoy, Calais Roads, by aircraft; abandoned with the loss of three Crew and one Gunner off No. 1 Buoy
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
26 July 1940 Gazette Issue 34908, Supplement 4656, published 26 July 1940
Alfred Stanley Dawson - Commendation – when Chief Engineer
Sidney James Gill (deceased) - Commendation – when 2nd Mate
Died 20 May 1940 – Tower Hill Memorial, Panel 69
Lord John Thomas Lazenby (deceased) - Commendation – when Gunner - (********) show P/SSX.31552 – HMS President III - Merchant Navy: Gunner (Seedies)
Died 21 May 1940 – Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 39, Column 1
George Frederick Smith - Commendation – when Donkeyman
William Frederick George Strawbridge (deceased) - Commendation – when Able Seaman
Died 20 May 1940 – Tower Hill Memorial, Panel 69
Captain Robert Campbell Watson – OBE(CD) – when Master
Henry George Waugh - Commendation – when Chief Officer
John Richard Woodhouse (deceased)- Commendation – when Able Seaman
Died 20 May 1940 – Tower Hill Memorial, Panel 69

Note:-
Alfred Stanley Dawson was later awarded a DSC when Chief Engineer of Rescue Ship ZAMALEK – Convoy PQ.17 in July 1942; on 04 July 1942 rescued 47 survivors from CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT (American) and 11 from WILLIAM HOOPER (American); this happened before the convoy was ordered to scatter on the personal authority of the 1st Sea Lord in London and the massacre of many of the surviving ships in the convoy; on 05 July 1942 she rescued 97 Crew and rescued survivors from ZAAFARAN
25 September 1942 Gazette Issue 35723, Supplement 4225, published 29 September 1942
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- WEATHERSTON, James, MBE, EMPIRE SELWYN, posts 105, 110
The ship in question is:-
EMPIRE SELWYN (MOWT/BJ Sutherland & Co.) – Convoy PQ.16 – May 1942
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
23 October 1942 Gazette Issue 35760, Supplement 4651, published 27 October 1942
Captain James Thompson Hair - CBE (CD) – when Master
John Lewis - MBE (CD) – when Chief Officer
James Weatherston - MBE (CD) – when Second Officer
23 October 1942 Gazette Issue 35760, Supplement 4652, published 27 October 1942
Andrew Nicol Beatt - Commendation – when Second Radio Officer
Allan Whaley Fielding - Commendation – when Third Officer
James Alexander White - Commendation – when First Radio Officer
06 November 1942 Gazette Issue 35780, Supplement 4883, published 10 November 1942
Harry Tomlinson - DSM - when Acting Leading Seaman, P/JX.200147
Ungazetted
Captain James Thompson Hair - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Master

Note:-
Captain James Thompson Hair had previously been awarded a Commendation when Master of CROMARTY (BJ Sutherland & Co.) - Shelled enemy submarine on 19 September 1941 as per the below
The London Gazette reports:-
A ship was attacked at night by a U-boat and set on fire In the light of this, another ship saw the submarine. Her guns at once went into action The good shooting of Hinton was outstanding The third shell burst on or near the connng-tower Four more shots were fired before the enemy disappeared.
30 January 1942 Gazette Issue 35441, Supplement 543, published 03 February 1942
Captain James Thompson Hair was later awarded a DSO when Master of EMPIRE SCOTT – independent passage to Northern Russia in November 1942
26 March 1943 Gazette Issue 35960, Supplement 1481, published 30 March 1943

Note:-
James Alexander White was awarded a further Commendation when Chief Radio Officer of BARON ELGIN - rescuing 84 survivors from Convoy SL.125 – this was 49 from BARON ELGIN and 35 from TASMANIA, which had previously picked up survivors from HOPECASTLE
07 May 1943 Gazette Issue 36007, Supplement 2094, published 11 May 1943
Cheers
Mike

 

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
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- WHARTON, John, MBE, HARPATHIAN, posts 46, 114
The ship in question is:-
HARPATHIAN - Torpedoed and sunk on 08 April 1941, having dispersed from Convoy OG.57, in The North Atlantic, SE of The Azores, in position 32 22N 022 53W, by U-107
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
30 January 1942 Gazette Issue 35441, Supplement 542, published 03 February 1942
Captain John Wharton - MBE (CD) – when Master

Other awards for this ship:-
HARPATHIAN – unknown event (Seedies) – on 18 June 1940 she was the last British ship to leave St. Nazaire carrying the last organised party of BEF Troops
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ww2peopleswar/stories/13/a6870413.shtml)
14 March 1941 Gazette Issue 35108, Supplement 1580, published 18 March 1941
Harold Walton Barker - Commendation – when Chief Engineer
Captain Norman Rutter - Commendation – when Master

Note:-
Captain John Wharton was later awarded a DSC and Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Master of EMPIRE BYRON - Convoy PQ.17 in June 1942 / July 1942 (Dispersed 04 July 1942); torpedoed and damaged on 04 July 1942 and became a straggler from Convoy PQ.17, when in The Barents Sea by a German He III torpedo bomber of II.KG 26. On 05 July 1942 when in position 76 18N 033 30E she was torpedoed and sunk by U-703
12 February 1943 Gazette Issue 35906, Supplement 825, published 16 February 1943
Cheers
Mike

 

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
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- WHYTE, John, Polish Cross, GLENDINNING, post 161
The ship in question is:-
GLENDINNING – 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 John William Cromarty - Polish Cross of Valour (Krzyz Walecnych) – when Master
John Whyte - Polish Cross of Valour (Krzyz Walecnych) – when Steward

Other awards for this ship:-
GLENDINNING - Torpedoed and sunk on 05 July 1944, when in Convoy FTC.27, in The English Channel, some 20 miles SE of Selsey Bill, in position 50 32N 000 22W, by U-763. Note the sinking was earlier attributed to U-953 on the morning of 05 July 1944, but in fact she was not torpedoed until the evening of that day so the submarine had to be U-763
05 January 1945 Gazette Issue 36884, Supplement 284, published 09 January 1945
Tabet Mahomed - BEM (CD) – when Donkeyman
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- WILLIAMS, David John, OBE, ANGLO CANADIAN, posts 321, 422
The ship in question is:-
ANGLO CANADIAN (Nitrate Producers, London, SS Co./Lawther, Latta & Co.) – bombed and damaged 06 April 1942 (BVLAS) 16 April 1942 (De Neumann) in Vizagapatam Roads, Bay of Bengal; was able to sail 11 April 1942 for Bombay. The bombing raid was carried out by Japanese aircraft from the aircraft carrier RYUJO, which found her at anchor
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
20 November 1942 Gazette Issue 35796, Supplement 5105, published 24 November 1942
Bernard Beavis - MBE (CD) – when Chief Officer
Eugene Bergstrom - BEM (CD) – when Carpenter
Captain David John Williams - OBE (CD) – when Master
18 December 1942 Gazette Issue 35833, Supplement 5568, published 22 December 1942
Alfred Frederick Charlton - DSM - For courage and determination while serving in Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships – when Acting Corporal, Po. I. 17778, RM
For Acting Corporal Alfred Frederick Charlton, Po.I.17778, R.M.
Read Marine (Acting Temporary Sergeant) Alfred Frederick Chariton, PO.17778, Royal Marines (29 January 1943 Gazette Issue 35887, Supplement 606, published 02 February 1943)
Robert Watson - DSM - when Seaman Gunlayer, RNR, P/UDX.1193
01 January 1943 Gazette Issue 35850, Supplement 171, published 05 January 1943
Patrick Joseph Dunne - BEM (CD) – when Greaser
Albert Edward Hayes - BEM (CD) – when Greaser
Jack Jones - Commendation – when Second Officer
Daniel James Williams - Commendation – when Third Officer
Ungazetted
Bernard Beavis - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Chief Officer
Eugene Bergstrom - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Carpenter
Captain David John Williams - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Master

Other awards for this incident:-
ANGLO CANADIAN – The ship was many times attacked by enemy aircraft. During the attack by bomb and machine gun at least twice badly damaged the enemy, who was forced to retire losing height rapidly.
16 January 1942 Gazette Issue 35421, Supplement 326, published 20 January 1942
Bertram George Day - BEM (CD) – when Cadet
16 January 1942 Gazette Issue 35421, Supplement 327, published 20 January 1942
Alfred Frederick Charlton - Commendation – when Gunner (London Gazette) – TNA say DEMS Gunner Royal Marines
Not shown in Seedies – believe Commendation was changed to DSM above, but this is not shown in LG
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- WILLS RUST, Vere Patrick, Commendation, LlWM, ABUKIR, post 23
The ship in question is:-
ABUKIR (Ministry of Shipping and General Steam Navigation Company Ltd., London) – torpedoed and sunk on 28 May 1940 in The North Sea, in position 51 20N 002 16E, by E-Boat, S.34 during Operation DYNAMO – Dunkirk Evacuation from 27 May to 04 June 1940
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
23 August 1940 Gazette Issue 34930, Supplement 5199, published 23 August 1940
Vere Patrick Wills Rust - Commendation – when Second Officer
Captain Rowland Morris Woolfenden - MBE (CD) – when Master
Ungazetted
Vere Patrick Wills Rust - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Second Officer
Captain Rowland Morris Woolfenden - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Master
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- WILSON, Hall, Polish Cross, BLAIR NEVIS, post 161
The ship in question is:-
BLAIRNEVIS – 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 Duncan McCall - Polish Cross of Valour (Krzyz Walecnych) – when Master
Hall Wilson - Polish Cross of Valour (Krzyz Walecnych) – when Chief Steward
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- WOODHOUSE, John Richard, Commendation, MAVIS, post 16
The ship in question is:-
MAVIS (General Steam Navigation Company Ltd., London) - Bombed and badly damaged on 20 May 1940, when off No. 4 Green Buoy, Calais Roads, by aircraft; abandoned with the loss of three Crew and one Gunner off No. 1 Buoy
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
26 July 1940 Gazette Issue 34908, Supplement 4656, published 26 July 1940
Alfred Stanley Dawson - Commendation – when Chief Engineer
Sidney James Gill (deceased) - Commendation – when 2nd Mate
Died 20 May 1940 – Tower Hill Memorial, Panel 69
Lord John Thomas Lazenby (deceased) - Commendation – when Gunner - (********) show P/SSX.31552 – HMS President III - Merchant Navy: Gunner (Seedies)
Died 21 May 1940 – Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 39, Column 1
George Frederick Smith - Commendation – when Donkeyman
William Frederick George Strawbridge (deceased) - Commendation – when Able Seaman
Died 20 May 1940 – Tower Hill Memorial, Panel 69
Captain Robert Campbell Watson – OBE(CD) – when Master
Henry George Waugh - Commendation – when Chief Officer
John Richard Woodhouse (deceased)- Commendation – when Able Seaman
Died 20 May 1940 – Tower Hill Memorial, Panel 69

Note:-
Alfred Stanley Dawson was later awarded a DSC when Chief Engineer of Rescue Ship ZAMALEK – Convoy PQ.17 in July 1942; on 04 July 1942 rescued 47 survivors from CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT (American) and 11 from WILLIAM HOOPER (American); this happened before the convoy was ordered to scatter on the personal authority of the 1st Sea Lord in London and the massacre of many of the surviving ships in the convoy; on 05 July 1942 she rescued 97 Crew and rescued survivors from ZAAFARAN
25 September 1942 Gazette Issue 35723, Supplement 4225, published 29 September 1942
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- WOOLFENDEN, Rowland Morris, MBE, LlWM, ABUKIR, post 23
The ship in question is:-
ABUKIR (Ministry of Shipping and General Steam Navigation Company Ltd., London) – torpedoed and sunk on 28 May 1940 in The North Sea, in position 51 20N 002 16E, by E-Boat, S.34 during Operation DYNAMO – Dunkirk Evacuation from 27 May to 04 June 1940
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
23 August 1940 Gazette Issue 34930, Supplement 5199, published 23 August 1940
Vere Patrick Wills Rust - Commendation – when Second Officer
Captain Rowland Morris Woolfenden - MBE (CD) – when Master
Ungazetted
Vere Patrick Wills Rust - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Second Officer
Captain Rowland Morris Woolfenden - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Master
Cheers
Mike

 

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)

Note:-
William Hudson Jensen was later awarded a Commendation when Deck Hand of MIRUPANU – probable destruction of an enemy aircraft
04 June 1943 Gazette Issue 36043, Supplement 2615, published 08 June 1943

Note:-
Captain Richard Thomas was later awarded a Commendation when Master of CUSHENDUN – unknown event (Seedies) - On 31 January 1942 when on passage to Milford Haven in Convoy PW.103 in The English Channel drove of an He 115 using PAC rockets then apparently shooting down a Focke-Wulf 200 Kondor
19 June 1942 Gazette Issue 35602, Supplement 2744, published 23 June 1942
Cheers
Mike

 

Ref:- YOUNGSON, William Makepeace, MBE, LlWM, BRITISH ENDEAVOUR, Posts 127, 502
The ship in question is:-
BRITISH ENDEAVOUR (British Tanker Company) - Torpedoed and sunk on 22 February 1940, when in Convoy OGF.19, in The North Atlantic, some 100 miles West of Vigo, in position 42 11N 011 35W, by U-50
Awards for this incident are as follows:-
03 October 1941 Gazette Issue 35299, Supplement 5784, published 07 October 1941
David Hubert Pugh Jones - MBE (CD) – when Chief Officer
William Makepeace Youngson - MBE (CD) – when Third Engineer
Ungazetted
William Makepeace Youngson - Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Third Engineer
Cheers
Mike

 

Diane,
A small point re post 133: the King Salvor class were, as with the other Admiralty Salvage Vessels, civilian manned and mangaged. The managers of this class were Risdon Beazley Ltd of Southampton and the Liverpool and Glasgow Salvage Association. King Salvor was one of the L&GSA vessels.They were only briefly in the RFA, in 1946, later some became Naval ships.

 

Helge Verner NIELSEN, Danish, Third Officer of the British ship m.v. Empire Knight. Lloyd's Silver Medal for Saving Life at Sea, following the sinking of the Empire Knight.

Extract from Lloyd's List and Shipping Gazette 8th December 1947

LLOYD'S SILVER MEDAL FOR SAVING LIFE AT SEA

Helge Verner Nielsen, Third Officer m.v. Empire Knight

The vessel, sailing independently, went aground and became a total loss. The weather was extremely bad, with wind at gale force, heavy seas and the temperature several degrees below freezing. The master, chief officer and 22 of the crew were drowned. With the assistance of two others Third Officer Nielsen lowered one of the boats, but owing to the heavy seas it capsized. They managed to right it and all three men again got on board. One rating lashed himself down in the boat, which had become waterlogged and the other was only semi-conscious when they came alongside the rescuing ship. Third Officer Nielsen continued to row the boat alone although his hands were frozen to the oars and it was largely due to his courage, endurance and determination that his two companions were saved.

(What it doesn’t say was that, at the time of the grounding there was almost zero visibility in a blizzard)

 

Hi

Hi Mike, I'm Randall William James Hetherington's granddaughter. I'm not sure of the answer to your question but have a number of my grandfather's medals so will go through them to see if any mention of CITY OF BENARES.

 

I think a paragraph was skipped when transcribing the report in the Times as the citation shown here for William REDDINGTON is actually for Horace THOMPSON whose citation follows directly on after the citation for William REDDINGTON :

William REDDINGTON, Chief Engineer
The ship was attacked by aircraft while in dock. She was hit in the engine-room by a bomb and fires broke out. Fire and first-aid parties were organized and Reddington acted as liason officer. He behaved with great resourcefulness and courage throughout the attacks and the ship was saved.
Horace THOMPSON, Chief Officer
The ship which was attacked by a submarine, was sunk by the second of two torpedoes. . . . .

Kevin O'Hare