GALLANTRY AT SEA

Evening Star, Issue 24915, 13 July 1943, Page 2

GALLANTRY AT SEA

MERCHANT SERVICE MANY RECIPIENTS KNOWN IN DOMINION (P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 12. The' frequent lists of awards to men of the Merchant Navy for gallantry. and devotion to duty in face of tho enemy have included the names of many masters, deck, and engineer officers, and others .in the service of the several shipping lines engaged m. the New Zealand overseas trade. Not a few of these men are New Zealanders, and tho great majority are well known in the Dominion. Complete records of awards to personnel of all ihe lines engaged in the New Zealaiftl trade are net available at present, but those of the New Zealand Shipping Company Ltd., and its associated line, the Federal Steam Navigation Company, Ltd., can be regarded as typical of the "constancy, fortitude, gallantly, and willing sacrifice of the men of the Merchant Navy" in whatever ships they serve. It will be possible later to deal simiUxrly with tho records of the other lines.

Masters of ships of the two companies mentioned, all well known in New Zealand, who have been made Officers of the Order of the British Empire (0.8. E.) are Captains H. Barnctt, P. B. Clarke, F. C. Pretty (missing), N. Rice, C. R. Pitcher, J. G. Almond, and W. G. Evans. Captain Bice whs recently made a Commander of the Order (C.8.E.) for meritorious service in another ship. Captain Pretty was master of the Cornwall when he gained his 0.8. E. His ship was on passage from Alexandria to Malta when her steering gear was completely disabled and other serious damage done by enemy air attacks. Nevertheless the Cornwall was taken to Malta, themgh she had to be steamed stern first for.a considerable distance. The chief engineer, Mr A. Drunimond, 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 went missing, believed to have been lost, with all hands, on her maiden voyage. Captains Pilcher and Almqnd, 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. Cap. tain Tuckett died some months ago while in command of another of the company | ships Mr J. Trotter, chief officer, and Mr T. Spfence, chief engineer, of theiormer 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. E. Vincent and J. H. t. Clarke, chief officers, have also received the 0.8. E.

For long and' meritorious sea service, Captain H. Barnett aiid Mr J. B. Dick* chief engineer, were awarded the 0.8. E,, and Mr T. Clarke, ship's carpenter, and. Mr R. V.. Dowler, patrolman, the British Empire Medal, in the King's . Birthday Honours List. ' Awards of 0.8. E. have also been made to Mr I. B. Rose, second officer, and of M.B.E. to Mr W. Reddington, chief engineer, Mr F. D. McDonald, third officer, Mr R. C. Dcwnie, fourth officer, and Mr F. "J. Kemball, fifth engineer. Other masters, chief engineers, and junior officers have been mentioned in despatches or commended for good service. THE GEORGE. MEDAL. For l'cmarkablo gallantry and devotion ■to duty in fighting a fire after his ship had been badly damaged : by bombs, one of which wtut down the ship's funnel and exploded in tho 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 . tlirte-ansmbers:' ; bi "the crew of the Rangitane for' bravery and devotion to duty when their ship was attacked ahd 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 Medal or been commended for good service. The following awards have been made to members of the staff of the New Zealand Shipping Company Ltd., arid, the Federal Line 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.B.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.—Lieutenantcommander H. Hill, R.N.R.; Lieutenant H. H. Mackillican, R.N.R. (and .bar to D.S.C.); Lieutenant W. V. FiUmaurice, R.N.R.; Sub-lieutenant 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. Twieo Mentioned in Despatches.—Commander J. .T. Youngs, 0.8. E., R.N.R. British Empire Medal—G. E. Scott, ship's cook.