LLOYD’S MEDAL AWARDED

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24366, 19 September 1944, Page 4

LLOYD’S MEDAL AWARDED

HONOUR FOR CAPTAIN G. B. MORGAN GALLANTRY IN SAVING LIFE AT SEA Captain G. B. Morgan, D.5.0., D.S.C., of Christchurch,' has been awarded Lloyd’s Medal for gallantry in saving life at sea. according to advice received by his wife. Mrs Morgan received a cablegram from her husband from a port in Italy telling her of the award, but she is unaware of. the exploit for which it was awarded. Lloyd’s Medal is a civilian award, usually awarded to members of the Merchant Navy. Mrs Morgan only knows

that her husband was in command ofa vessel which took part in the recent invasion of southern France in the Mediterranean. Captain Mdrgan was in command of the Union Steam Ship Company’s liner Awatea when that vessel was sunk by enemy aircraft when taking part in the North African landing. Speaking of the part the Awatea played in the landing, the admiral to whom Captain Morgan afterwards reported said: “She fougnt like a battleship ” For his gallantry on this occasion, Captain Morgan was awarded the D.5.0., the investiture being made by the Queen in June of last year. It was in the Great War that he was awarded the D.S.C. Captain Morgan was at that time a lieutenant in the Royal Navy and, while navigating officer of a “Q” ship, was instrumental in sinking an enemy submarine, Born in Lyttelton. Captain Morgan went to sea at an earlv age, serving his time in sail. Later he entered the service of the Union Steam Ship Company, in steamers. In the last 20 years he* has commanded many of the company’s vessels, including the steamer express vessels and intercolonial passenger liners. Reference to the award of Lloyd’s Medal to Captain Morgan was made at a meeting of the Lyttelton Borough Council last night by the Mayor (Mr W. T. Lester). Mr Lester ssid that it was very gratifying to learn that a Lyttelton-born man had won such honour as had Captain Morgan, and that his bravery had been further recognised. Lyttelton citizens would join with him in {he wish that Captairt Morgan would return safely.