BRITISH and DOMINION NAVIES - THE GEORGE CROSS AT SEA, 1939-1945

and its equivalent predecessors, the ALBERT MEDAL in GOLD and EMPIRE GALLANTRY MEDAL

 

The original and inspiring official accounts from "The London Gazette" the British award that is second only to the Victoria Cross

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Contents

 

The George Cross, Albert Medal, Empire Gallantry Medal

 

Awards of the George Cross, Albert Medal and Empire Gallantry Medal at Sea, 1939-45

 

Addendum, Albert Medal in Bronze at Sea

 

Royal Warrant for the Institution of the George Cross

 

Sources

 

 

I am grateful for all sources for their information on the George Cross and equivalent awards, and especially “The London Gazette” for providing the original and very authentic accounts and also the interesting formality of the original Royal Warrant for the George Cross.

 

 

      

THE GEORGE CROSS, ALBERT MEDAL, EMPIRE GALLANTRY MEDAL

 

    ALBERT MEDAL (AM)

    1866 - instituted in 1866 for saving life at sea,  named after Queen Victoria’s husband, two Classes, the 1st  in gold and 2nd in bronze (ribbon colours and sizes changed through its history).

    1877 - also granted for saving life on land.

    1917 – titles changed to Albert Medal in Gold (formerly 1st Class in gold) and the Albert Medal (formerly  2nd class bronze).

    1949 – Albert Medal in Gold replaced by George Cross. Albert Medal only awarded posthumously in Bronze.

    1971 – Albert Medal ceased and living recipients invited to exchange Albert Medal for George Cross.

 

   

    EMPIRE GALLANTRY MEDAL (EGM) the Medal of the Order of the British Empire for Gallantry

    1922 – instituted in two Divisions, Civil and Military (ribbon colours changed through its short history).

    1940 – ceased to be awarded on the institution of George Cross. Living recipients had to exchange the EGM for the GC

 

 

 

                 

    GEORGE CROSS (GC)

    24 September 1940 – Instituted by King George VI (see Royal Warrant), together with the George Medal. Empire Gallantry Medal ceased to be awarded, but Albert Medal continued.

 
 
 
 
 

AWARDS of the GEORGE CROSS, ALBERT MEDAL and EMPIRE GALLANTRY MEDAL

 

Contents

(in date order – action or gazetted. Click name to go to entry) 

6 Sep 39, Radio Officer James Turner MN, SS Manaar

16 Oct 39, Cdr Richard Jolly RN, HMS Mohawk

14 Mar 40, Sub Lt Alexander Hodge RNVR, HMS Eagle

29 Apr 40, Lt John Niven Low RN and Able Seaman Henry Miller, HM S/M Unity

20 Sep 40, Sub Lt Richard Moore RNVR, HMS President

21 Sep 40, Lt Cdr Richard Ryan RN and CPO Reginald Ellingworth, HMS Vernon

27 Sep 40, 2nd Hand John Mitchell RNR,  Iceland

30 Sep 40, Sub Lt William Taylor RNVR, HMS Vernon

9 Oct 40, Lt Robert Selby Armitage RNVR, HMS Vernon

17 Oct 40, Sub Lt Jack Easton RNVR and Ordinary Seaman Bennett Southwell, HMS Vernon

28 Nov 40, Lt Harold Newgass RNVR, HMS President

1 Dec 40, Sub Lt Francis Brooke-Smith RNR, HMS Drake

1 Dec 40, Able Seaman Alfred Miles, HMS Saltash

20 Dec 40, Sub Lt Peter Danckwerts RNVR

21 Dec 40, Lt Geoffrey Turner RNVR, HMS Vernon

27 Dec 40, Sub Lt John Babington RNVR, HMS President

14 Jan 41, Sub Lt John Miller RNVR, HMS President and Able Seaman Stephen Tuckwell, HMS Vernon

29 Jan 41, Cadet David Hay RNR, SS Eurylochus

17 Apr 41, Lt Ernest Gidden RNVR, HMS President

5 May 41, Ordinary Seaman Albert Howarth RN, HMS Foresight

20 Jun 41, Bombardier Henry Reed, 1 Maritime AA Regt, SS Cormount,

1 Sep 41, Lt Cdr William Hiscock RN, HMS St Angelo

22 Sep 41, Lt John Gibbons RNVR, CO, ML.144

15 Jan 42, Lt George Goodman RNVR, HMS Vernon and HMS Nile

22 Mar 42, Lt Dennis Copperwheat RN, HMS Penelope

1 Jun 42, Lt John Mould RANVR, HMS Vernon

8 Aug 42, Apprentice Donald Clarke MN, MT San Emiliano,

12 Aug 42, Capt Dudley Mason MN, Master, MT Ohio

12 Aug 42, PO Cook Charles Walker, destroyer, Malta convoy ‘Pedestal’

   12 Aug 42, Apprentice John Gregson MN

14 Sep 42, Chief Officer James Reeves MN, MT Atheltemplar

30 Oct 42, Lt Francis Fasson RN, Able Seaman Colin Grazier, HMS Petard

25 Dec 42, Lt Hugh Syme RANVR, HMS Vernon

3 Jan 43, Boatswain William McCarthy RN, HMS Nile

10 Jan 43, Able Seaman Eynon Hawkins, SS British Dominion

26 Jan 43, Leading Seaman William Goad, HMS Ashanti

19 Mar 43, Chief Officer George Stronach MN, SS Ocean Voyager

30 Mar 43, 2nd Engineer Gordon Bastian MN, SS Empire Bowman

12 Jun 43, Lt Leon Goldsworthy RANVR, HMS Vernon

31 Aug 43, Lt John Bridge RNVR, HMS Elissa

13 Oct 43, Warrant Electrician Ernest Wooding RCNVR

 

 

 

 

1939 

 

 

 

 

06 September 1939  Radio Officer James Turner MN, cargo ship SS Manaar, torpedoed and sunk by U.38 (Liebe) in North Atlantic, 120 miles off Capt St Vincent in 38.28N, 10.50W. Saved two men from the sea under fire. Awarded Empire Gallantry Medal, gazetted 13 October 1939.  

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the Award of the Medal of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for Gallantry, to the undermentioned:

James Gordon Melville Turner, Radio‑Officer, S.S. "Manaar” (Messrs. T. & J. Brocklebank).

When the S.S. “Manaar" was attacked by an enemy submarine there was no summons to stop. About ten shots were fired before the ship was abandoned after twenty or thirty minutes. Three shells were fired, one of which took away the fore‑part of the wheelhouse and probably the wireless aerial. Rapid shrapnel followed. Some of the men in the boats were injured by gunfire.

The Radio‑Officer was inadvertently left behind in the ship with two members of the native crew, one severely wounded and the other injured. His shipmates called to him to come down and join them in the Master's boat, but he refused to leave the ship until the two other members of the crew could be rescued. He tried to lower a lifeboat, but the falls jammed and then suddenly ran out, so that the boat crashed into the water and filled. He carried the severely wounded Lascar to another boat, and was about to lower it when the boat was blown to pieces, with the wounded man inside. He then swam out to the waterlogged boat and pulled her alongside. The injured Lascar then went down the rope into the boat, which was cut adrift, and joined the Master's boat. All this was done under fire.’

 

 

16 October 1939 Cdr Richard Jolly RN, CO destroyer HMS Mohawk, ship was bombed and badly damaged by German aircraft off May Island in the Firth of Forth. Badly wounded but continued in command and died of his wounds. Posthumously awarded Empire Gallantry Medal, gazetted 23 December 1939. 

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the posthumous Award of the Medal of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for Gallantry, to the late:

Commander Richard Frank Jolly, R.N.

Commander Jolly's gallantry consisted of the bringing of his ship into harbour when he himself was mortally wounded. H.M.S. Mohawk had been attacked by an enemy aircraft and had suffered a large number of casualties. Commander Jolly, who was on the bridge, was severely wounded in the stomach but refused to leave the bridge or allow himself to be attended to; he continued to direct the Mohawk for a 35‑mile passage home which lasted 1 hour and 20 minutes. He was too weak for his orders to be heard, but these were repeated by his wounded Navigating Officer. He was repeatedly invited to go down to receive medical atten­tion but he refused saying "Leave me - go and look after the others". Having brought his ship into port, Commander Jolly rang off the main engines and immediately collapsed. He died some five hours after being landed.

 

 

1940

 

 

 

 

14 March 1940 Sub Lt Alexander Hodge RNVR, aircraft carrier HMS Eagle in the Bay of Bengal, bomb exploded in bomb room killing 13 and mortally wounding another.Played major part in rescue work. Awarded Empire Gallantry Medal, gazetted 02 August 1940. 

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following Award:

The Medal of the Military Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for Gallantry

Sub‑Lieutenant Alexander Mitchell Hodge, R.N.V.R.

H.M. Ship in which Sub‑Lieutenant Hodge was serving was badly damaged by an ex­plosion in a bomb‑room. The bomb‑room was in darkness, full of heat and fumes,and smoke rising to the main deck suggested fire below.

Sub‑Lieutenant Hodge had no knowledge of the behaviour of bombs in great heat or violent movement. When the explosion occurred he at once left the main deck and went into the bomb‑room. He examined this and was able to rescue and send up several badly injured men. . He found one of the wounded men crushed under two very heavy bombs, which could not be moved single‑handed. Obtaining help, he dragged the wounded man clear, and sent him up.

Sub‑lieutenant Hodge did not go on deck until he had satisfied himself that no one was left alive below.

Throughout he showed outstanding courage, enterprise and resource, without any thought for himself. He saved all the lives he could though, for all he knew, further fatal explosions might have occurred at any moment.

 

29 April 1940   Lt John Niven Low RN and Able Seaman Henry Miller, HM S/M Unity, sunk in collision with Norwegian SS Atle Jarle in the North Sea, off Blyth. Gave their lives to save others. Both posthumously awarded Empire Gallantry Medal, gazetted 16 August 1940. 

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the following posthumous Awards for gallantry in one of H.M. Submarines:

The Medal of the Military division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, for Gallantry.

The late Lieutenant John Niven Angus Low, Royal Navy, H.M. Submarines.

The late Able Seaman Henry James Miller, P/J.55387, H.M. Submarines.

 

 20 September 1940 Sub Lt Richard Moore RNVR, HMS President (London) Bomb and Mine Disposal B&MD. Described as having ‘no practical training’, he nevertheless disarmed mines ‘in an emergency’ during the Blitz, including a damaged one in Dagenham, Essex on this date. Awarded George Cross, gazetted 27 December 1940. 

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the GEORGE CROSS for great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty to:

Temporary  Sub-Lieutenant (Sp) Richard Valentine Moore R.N.V.R.

 

 

21 September 1940  Lt Cdr Richard Ryan RN and CPO Reginald Ellingworth, HMS Vernon, Rendering Mines Safe team. Defused mines during the Blitz, both killed tackling a parachute mine in Dagenham, Essex on this date. Posthumously awarded George Cross, gazetted 20 December 1940. 

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the GEORGE CROSS, for great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty, to:

Lieutenant‑Commander Richard John Hammersley Ryan, Royal Navy.

Chief Petty Officer Reginald Vincent Ellingworth, P/J.26011.

 

27 September 1940  2nd Hand John Mitchell RNR. Dived into freezing water in an Icelandic harbour to save two men. Awarded Albert Medal, gazetted 29 April 1941. 

The London Gazette - His Majesty has been graciously pleased to approve the following Award:

For gallantry in saving life at sea:

The Albert Medal.

Acting Second Hand John Henry Mitchell, LT/JX.173154, R.N.R.

On 27th September, 1940, Chief Engine­man Wedderburn fell into the sea. between two trawlers in harbour. He could not swim, and was soon unconscious. An unknown seaman, who jumped in to save him was soon in difficulties. Mitchell, hear­ing his shouts, clambered over a vessel to the quay, ran 100 yards, climbed across two other ships and jumped into the water. He seized Wedderburn, who was sinking, by the hair, and held up the other man until a rope was passed down from the trawler. This he secured with a bowline round the now helpless seaman, using one hand, while he supported both men and himself by gripping the rope with his teeth. The seaman was then hauled out of the water by the men in the trawler. Mitchell, although fully clad, and wearing sea boots, supported Wedderburn by treading water until a pilot ladder could be lowered. He made the rope fast round Wedderburn, and steadied him as he was hauled out. He had been in very cold water for 35 minutes, and was unconscious when rescued

.

 

30 September 1940  Sub Lt William Taylor RNVR, HMS Vernon, Rendering Mines Safe and Port Clearance. Defused mines in the Blitz, notably in September and October 1940, including a bomb at RAF Depot Uxbridge. Awarded George Cross, gazetted 14 January 1941. 

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the GEORGE CROSS for great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty, to:

Probationary Temporary Sub‑Lieutenant William Horace Taylor, R.N.V.R.

 

 

9 October 1940   Lt Robert Selby Armitage RNVR, HMS Vernon, Bomb Disposal and Rendering Mines Safe. Defused mines in the Blitz, notably in September and October 1940, including a mine in Orpington Kent. Awarded George Cross, gazetted 27 December 1940. Also later received George Medal. 

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the GEORGE CROSS for great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty to:

Temporary  Lieutenant Robert Selby Armitage R.N.V.R.

 

 

17 October 1940    Sub Lt Jack Easton RNVR and Ordinary Seaman Bennett Southwell, HMS Vernon, Bomb Disposal/Rendering Mines Safe team. During the Blitz, attended an unexploded bomb at Hoxton, East London which exploded badly injuring Lt Easton and killing OS Southwell. Both awarded George Cross, gazetted 23 January 1941. 

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the posthumous award of the GEORGE CROSS for great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty to:

Ordinary Seaman Bennett Southwell, P/JX.204557

 

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the GEORGE CROSS for great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty to:

Probationary Temporary Sub-Lieutenant Jack Maynard Cholmondeley Easton, R.N.V.R.

 

 

28 November 1940 Lt Harold Newgass RNVR, HMS President, Rendering Mines Safe. Defused mines during the Blitz, on this date tackled mine which had fallen into a gas holder in Garston Gas Works Liverpool. Awarded George Cross, gazetted 4 March 1941. 

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the GEORGE CROSS for great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty to:

Temporary Lieutenant Harold Reginald Newgass, R.N.V.R.

 

 

1 December 1940  Sub Lt Francis Brooke-Smith RNR, HMS Drake, Bomb Disposal. Bomb disposal during the Blitz, in December, dealt with bomb in particularly dangerous position in fire-float ‘Firefly’ on the Manchester Ship Canal. Awarded George Cross, gazetted 27 June 1941. 

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the Award of the GEORGE CROSS, for great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty, to:

Sub‑Lieutenant Francis Haffey Brooke Smith, R.N.R.

 

 

1 December 1940     Able Seaman Alfred Miles, minesweeping sloop HMS Saltash. Lost his hand saving the life of a shipmate during a mooring accident in Grimsby Docks. Awarded Albert Medal, gazetted 29 April 1941. 

The London Gazette - His Majesty has been graciously pleased to approve the following Award:

For gallantry in saving life at sea:

The Albert Medal

Able Seaman Alfred Miles, P/ 23965.

On 1st December. 1940, when H.M.S. Saltash was passing from one dock basin to another, a wire was run out from the star­board bow to the weather corner of the gate so as to hold the bow up to the wind. The wire was taken to the windlass, but this was too slow, and men were picking up the slack by band, leaving some loose turns on the deck. As the ship drew level the order was passed to turn up. The wire was taken from the windlass to the bollards. Able Seaman Miles saw Able Seaman Thompson standing in a bight of wire and called out to him to get clear, but he failed to do so and the wire drew taut round his ankles. Miles knew that Thompson might be hauled through the bull­ring and that if he himself were caught in the wire he would be in the same danger; yet he tried to force the bight open with his hands. His right hand was jammed between the wire and Thompson's foot. He said nothing and still tried to free his shipmate. The hurt which caused the loss of his hand was not known till later. Thompson was dragged along the deck to the bull‑ring but way was taken off the ship just in time to save him.

 

 

20 December 1940   Sub Lt Peter Danckwerts RNVR, HMS President (London), Bomb Disposal and Rendering Mines Safe. Posted as Bomb Disposal Officer to the Port of London Authority and defused bombs and mines during the Blitz, often for long periods and at great risk. Awarded George Cross, gazetted 20 December 1940.

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the GEORGE CROSS, for great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty, to:

Sub‑Lieutenant Peter Victor Danckwerts, R.N.V.R. 

 

21 December 1940   Lt Geoffrey Turner RNVR, HMS Vernon, Rendering Mines Safe. Defused a whole series of parachute mines during the Blitz including one in Great Howard Street, Liverpool. Awarded George Cross, gazetted 27 June 1941. Also later received George Medal. 

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the Award of the GEORGE CROSS, for great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty, to:

Lieutenant Geoffrey Gledhill Turner, R.N.V.R.

 

 

27 December 1940   Sub Lt John Babington RNVR, HMS President (London), Bomb Disposal and Rendering Mines Safe. Dealt with unexploded mines and bombs during the Blitz, in particular a bomb in Chatham Dockyard with a suspected anti-withdrawal device. Awarded George Cross, gazetted 27 December 1940. 

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the GEORGE CROSS for great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty to:

Probationary Temporary  Sub-Lieutenant (Sp) John Herbert Babington R.N.V.R.

 

 

1941

 

 

 

14 January 1941    Sub Lt John Miller (or Duppa-Miller) RNVR, HMS President (London), Bomb Disposal, and Able Seaman Stephen Tuckwell, HMS Vernon, Bomb Disposal and Rendering Mines Safe. Bomb and mine disposal during the Blitz early in the winter of 1940, including a semi-submerged mine in Roding River which ran into Barking Creek, Essex. Both awarded George Cross, gazetted 14 January 1941 respectively. 

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the GEORGE CROSS for great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty, to:

Probationary Temporary Sub‑Lieutenant John Bryan Peter Miller,

Able Seaman Stephen John Tuckwell, P/J.166122.

29 January 1941    Cadet David Hay RNR, SS Eurylochus, sunk by German raider raider Kormoran (Detmers) on this date in the Central Atlantic in 08.19N, 25.01W with the loss of 11 crew. Dived into shark-infested sea to save a shipmate. Awarded Albert Medal, gazetted 8 July 1941. 

The London Gazette – (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following Award for gallantry in rescuing a shipmate

The Albert Medal

Cadet David Hay.

Cadet Hay was serving in a Merchantman which was sunk by an enemy Raider. She was heavily shelled and machine-gunned, and many of her crew were killed. Two boats were got away, but the others were shot to pieces. Those of the crew who were left on board launched two rafts, and just before the ship went down they jumped in and swam for them. Cadet Hay reached a raft, but, although sharks were swimming all round him, he dived in again and rescued the Radio Officer. As he swam back to the raft his clothing was torn by a shark.

 

 

17 April 1941   Lt Ernest Gidden RNVR, HMS President (London), Rendering Mines Safe and Bomb & Mine Disposal during the Blitz. Dealt with particularly difficult mine on Hungerford Bridge, London. Awarded George Cross, gazetted 9 June 1942.

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the GEORGE CROSS for great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty to:

Temporary Lieutenant Ernest Oliver Gidden, G.M., R.N.V.R.

 

05 May 1941   Ordinary Seaman Albert Howarth RN, destroyer HMS Foresight. The occasion was probably when Foresight assisted the mined SS Empire Song off Malta and was damaged in the resulting explosion. AB Howarth was one of a boat’s crew who was blown overboard, lost a foot, but saved another man in the water. Awarded Albert Medal, gazetted 2 September 1941. 

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following award:

The Albert Medal.

Ordinary Seaman Albert Howarth, D/JX. 229949, H.M.S. Foresight,

who was one of a boat's crew sent to board a burning and abandoned Merchantman. The Merchantman blew up as they drew near her, throwing the boat's crew into the water. Ordinary Seaman Howarth saw near him a Stoker who was badly shaken, so he held him up for ten minutes until a lifebelt was thrown to him. This he put round the Stoker, and before being hauled on board his ship, made sure that his shipmate was safe. When he himself reached the deck, after nearly half an hour in the water, it was seen that his right foot had been blown off.

 

 

20 June 1941   Bombardier Henry Reed, No.2 Bty 1 Maritime AA Regt, Royal Artillery, SS Cormount, in convoy. Attacked by aircraft and E-boats, mortally wounded but carried out his duties. Posthumously awarded George Cross, gazetted 23 September 1941. 

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to award the GEORGE CROSS to: ‑

Henry Herbert Reed (deceased), Gunner.

The ship was attacked by enemy aircraft with cannon, machine‑guns and bombs. She replied at once with her defensive arma­ment and the men at the guns went on firing despite the hail of bullets and cannon shell.

Gunner Reed behaved with the utmost gallantry. He was badly wounded but when the Master asked how he was, he said that he would carry on. The Chief Officer was also badly wounded. Reed carried him from the bridge down two ladders to the deck below and placed him in shelter near a life­boat. Gunner Reed then died. It was after­wards found that his stomach had been ripped open by machine‑gun bullets.

By his gallant and utterly selfless action Gunner Reed saved the life of the Chief Officer.

 

 

1 September 1941    Lt Cdr William Hiscock RN, HMS St Angelo (Malta), Rendering Mines Safe. Defused a virtually unknown Italian ‘Torpedo Machine’ in St George's Bay, Malta in September 1941. Awarded George Cross, gazetted 16 June 1942. 

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the GEORGE CROSS for great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty to:

Lieutenant (Acting Lieutenant‑Commander) William Ewart Hiscock, D.S.C., R.N. (retired) (to be dated 3rd February, 1942).

 

22 September 1941 Lt John Gibbons RNVR, CO, ML.144. Wounded when his ML was mined in the English Channel, but saved the life of a seaman in the sea. Awarded Albert Medal, gazetted 11 August 1942.

The London Gazette – (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following Award:

For great bravery and devotion to duty in trying to save life at sea.

The Albert Medal.

Temporary Lieutenant John Edward Gibbons, R.N.V.R.

When a Motor Launch was mined her Commanding Officer was wounded in the head and blown into the sea. He was rescued and went at once to save others. He saw a seaman some 100 yards away in the water, and swam to him through burn­ing fuel. His gallant action helped to save the man's life.

 

 

1942

 

 

 

15 January 1942    Lt George Goodman RNVR, HMS Vernon and HMS Nile (Alexandria), Rendering Mines Safe. Defused Italian circling torpedo on the beach, east of Alexandria. Awarded George Cross gazetted, 15 September 1942. 

The London Gazette - (from the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood, St James’s Palace, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the GEORGE CROSS for great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty to:

Temporary Lieutenant George Herbert Goodman, M.B.E., R.N.V.R.

 

 

22 March 1942   Lt Dennis Copperwheat RN, HMS Penelope. In charge of the scuttling of Norwegian merchantman Talabot, laden with ammunition and on fire following a bombing attack in Grand Harbour, Valetta, Malta. Awarded George Cross, gazetted 17 November 1942. 

The London Gazette - The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the Award of the GEORGE CROSS to.

Lieutenant Dennis Arthur Copperwheat, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Penelope.

For great bravery at Malta. During heavy air attacks on Valetta, Lieutenant Copper­wheat was sent in charge of a party of men from H.M.S. Penelope to scuttle a Merchant­man, laden with ammunition, which was burning in the harbour. Owing to the fires, it was impossible to place scuttling charges in the holds and they had to be slung over the side of the ship. As they worked. ammunition was exploding all round them from burn­ing stowages on deck. The ship lay 40 yards from the shore, to which the electric cables for firing the scuttling charges could only just reach. Lieutenant Copperwheat sent his working party to shelter, and stayed himself to fire the charges from a position where he was exposed to the full blast of the explosion, which lifted him bodily. But for his brave action the ship must have blown up, and grave damage would have been done to the harbour.

Moreover, much of the ammunition was saved and some very heavy bombs, part of the cargo, were soon afterwards dropped in Italy.

 

 

1 June 1942 Lt John Mould RANVR, HMS Vernon, ‘P’ Part 1571, Rendering Mines Safe, then un