HEROES OF ATHENIA

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 85, 4 January 1940, Page 8

HEROES OF ATHENIA

Decorations For Rescue

(British Official Wireless.)

(Received January 3, 7.5 p.m.)

RUGBY, January 2.

The following awards to survivors of the Athenia have been gazetted:— Order of the British Empire, Civil Division, to Mr. B. M. Copeland, chief officer; and Medal of the Civil Division of the 0.8. E. to Mr. William Harvey, boatswain.

The Gazette says of Mr. Copeland that the fact that the loading and getting away from the sinking liner for the arrangements for which he was responsible, were done in darkness without any kind of hitch or loss reflects great credit, on his powers of organization and command. Mr. Copeland in due course was picked up by a warship, but, discovering that a woman whom he had earlier taken to the sick bay unconscious was missing, he insisted on returning to the Athenia.

He was accompanied by the boatswain. He found the woman still unconscious, and after examining tiie condition of the Athenia ho returned to the warship with the woman. Shortly afterward the Athenia sank. Mr. Harvey also is warmly commended for outstanding coolness and efficiency.