MANY DECORATED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 164, 13 July 1943, Page 5

MANY DECORATED

MERCHANT MARINERS

FORTITUDE AND GALLANTRY

(P A.) WELLINGTON, Monday. ' The fortitude, gallantry and.willing sacrifice of the Merchant Navy are illustrated by the awards made since the war started to personnel of the New Zealand Shipping Company, T imited, and its associated line, the Federal Steam Navigation Company, Limited. A number of those to be decorated are well known in New Zealand. Masters awarded the 0.8. E. are Captains H. Barnett P. B. Clarke, F C Pretty (missing), N. Rice, C. R. Pilcher, J. G. Almond and W. G. Evans. Captain Rice recently has been made a Commander of the Order (C.8.E.) for meritorious service in another ship. . Captain Pretty's ship, the Cornwall, was proceeding from Alexandria to Malta when her steering gear was completely disabled and other serious damage done by enemy air attacks, but the ship was taken to Malta, although she had to be steamed stern first for a considerable distance. The chief engineer, Mr. A. Drummond, also received the 0.8. E., and the chief steward, Mr. J. Jesse, the M.8.E., and others of the ship's company were decorated for their services on this occasion. Captain Pretty subsequently took command of a new ship, which was posted missing, believed to have been lost with all hands, on her maiden voyage. Convoys to Malta Captains Pilcher and Almond, who were awarded the 0.8. E., and Captain J. C. Tuckett, who gained the Distinguished Service Cross, were successively masters of the same ship on voyages which included passages in convoy to Malta. Captain Tuckett died some months ago while in command of another of the company's ships. Mr. J. Trotter, chief officer, and Mr. T. Spence, chief engineer, of the former vessel, were also awarded the D.S.C., and Mr. P. A. T. Gordon, apprentice, received the Distinguished Service Medal. Chief engineers in the companies' service who have been awarded the 0.8. E. include Messrs. A. G. Johnson and J. Prest. Messrs. J. R. Vincent and J. H. E. Clarke, eTilef officers, have also received the 0.8. E. For long and meritoriotis sea service Captain H. Barnett and Mr. J. B. Dick, chief engineer, were awarded the 0.8. E., and. Mr. T. Clarke, ship's carpenter, and Mr. Rv V. Dowler, patrolman, the British Empire Medal. . Awards of the 0.8. E. have also been inade to Mr. J. B. Rose, second officer, -and of the M.B.E. to Mr. W. Reddington, chief engineer, Mr. F. D. McDonald,' third officer, Mr. R. C. .Downie, fourth officer, and Mr. F. J. Kemball, fifth engineer. George Medal Awarded For remarkable gallantry and devotion to duty in fighting a fire after his ship had been badly damaged by bombs, one of which went down the ship's funnel and exploded in the engine-room, Mr. F. Trundley, an assistant steward, received the high award of the George Medal. He and a shipmate, Mr. P. Croxford, ordinary seaman, also received Lloyd's War Medal for bravery at sea. The latter decoration, as well as the British Empire Medal, was awarded to three members of the crew of the Rangitane for bravery and devotion to duty when their ship was attacked and sunk by German raiders. They were Mrs. E. Plumb, stewardess, Mr. W. Francis, ship's cook, and Mr. J. R. Walker, deck mechanic. A number of other deck and engine-room ratings have • received the British Empire Me« or been commended for good service. : • - The following awards have been made to members of the staff serving in the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force, or the Army:—O.B.E.: Colonel T. J. Breen, Royal Engineers;. Lieutenant T. E. Davies, R.N.R. M.8.E.: Lieutenant K. A. Vasey, R.N.R. Distinguished Service Order: Commander L. Griffiths, R.N.R.; Lieutenant F. T. Renny, R.N.R. (missing, believed killed). Distinguished Service Cross: Lieutenant-Commander H. Hill, R.N.R.; Lieutenant H. H. Mackillican, R.N.R. (and bar to D.S.C.); Lieutenant W. V. Fitzmaurice, R.N.R.; Sub-Lieuten-ant T. M. Codrington, R.N.R. (missing); Sub-Lieutenant P. M. Wilcockson, R.N.R.; Acting Sub-Lieutenant G. Brooke-Alder, R.N.R.; Midshipman R. A. G. Butler, R.N.R: Distinguished Flying- Cross: ■■Flying-Officer J. G. Grey. Twice mentioned in dispatches: Commander J. J. Youngs, 0.8. E., R.N.R. British Empire Medal: G. E. Scoit, ship's cook.