MERCHANT NAVY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25276, 13 July 1943, Page 4

MERCHANT NAVY

DEVOTION TO DUTY A LIST OF AWARDS - ' V • ‘ ' ‘ -v *•’ r * ' (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 the enemy have included the names of many masters, deck, and engineer officers, and others in the service of the several shipping lines engaged, in the New Zealand overseas trade. Not a few of these men are New Zealanders and the great majority are well known in the Dominion. Complete records of awards to personnel of all-the lines engaged, in the New. Zealand-trade are not 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, gallantry, and willing sacrifice of the men of the Merchant Navy” in whatever ships they serve. It will be possible later to deal similarly with the 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 tne Order of the British Empire (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 was recently made a Commander oi the Order (C.8.E.) for meritorious service in another ship. Steaming Stern First Captain Pretty was master of the Cornwall when he gained his 0.8. E. His ship was dn 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, though she had to be steamed stern first for a considerable distance. The chief engineer. Mr A. Drummond, also received (ihe OBE„ and the chief steward; Mr J. Jesse, the M.8.E., and others pf the ship i company were decorated for their services on this occasion. Captain Pretty subsequently took command of a new ship which went missing, believed tohave been lost with all hands, on her maiden voyage Captains Pilcher and Almond, who we.e awarded the 0.8. E., and Captain • Tuckett who gained the Distinguished Service’Cross, were successively masters of the same ship on voyages wh.ich mcluded passages m convoy to Malta. Gap tain 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, ofthe former vessel, were also awarded: the D.b.G., and Mr P. A. T. Gordon, apprentice, received the Distinguished Service Medal. Chief. engineers in the c °™Pf™ cs n I, £ vice who have been awarded the 0.8. E. include Messrs A: G. Johnson and • Prest Messrs J. R- Vincent and J. 11. E. Clarke, chief • officers,- have also received th For and meritorious sea Captain H. Barnett and Mr.J. B. Dick, chief engineer, were awarded the 0.8. E. and Mr T. Clarke, ships carpenter, and Mr R- V. Dowler, patrolman, ; the. British Empire Medal, in the King’s Birthday n/Twards^of 1 0.8. E. have also been made to Mr I. B. Rose, second officer, and ox MB E to Mr W. Reddington, chief engineer Mr F- D. McDonald, third officer, Mr R C Downie, fourth officer, and Mi F. J.kemball, fifth engineer. Other masters, chief engineers and Junior officer* have been mentioned in despatches or commended for good service. The George Medal 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 , for bravery at sea. The latter decora ‘ tion, as well as the British Empire Medal, was awarded to three members of the crew of the Rangitane . for bravejw and devotion .to duty when their ship was attacked and sunk by German raiders. They were Mrs E. Plqmb, stewardess, Mr W. Francis, ship’s cook, and Mr J. R_ Walker, deck mechanic. A number o. 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 Zea-> land Shipping Company, ■ Ltd., and 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.MM.B.E.—Lieutenant K. A. Vasey, R.N'.RDistinguished Service Order.—Commander L. Griffiths, R.N.R.; Lieutenant F. T. Renny, R.N.R. (missing, believed killed). ‘ T . . Distinguished Service Cros.—Lieutenant Commander H. Hill, R.N.R.; Lieutenant H. H. Mackillican, R.N.R. (and bar to D.S.C.); Lieutenant W. •- V. Fitzmaurice, RJ7 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.—* lying Officer. J. G. Grey'. Twice Mentioned in Despatches.—Commander J. J. Youngs, 0.8. E.. R.N.R. British Empire Medal.—G. E. Scott, ship's cook. ' ■ - ■ - Following is a summary table of the decorations and other awards earned by members ox the New Zealand* Shipping Company’s asd Federal Line staffs:—

Merchant Armed Navy. Forces. Tl. C.B.E .... .. 1 — JL O.B.E .. .. ... 12 4 16 M B F- • • - ■ 5 1 6 D.S.O — 2 2 D.S.C .... .. 4 7 11 D.S.M ...... 1 1 D.F.C. .. .. 1 George Medal .. .... 1 — 1 British Empire Medal .. 11 i 14 Commended for Good Ser* vices .. .. .. .. .. 22 — 22 Mentioned in Despatches 3 . -I4 Lloyd’s War Medal .. .. 5 T* 5