Post by Administrator on Nov 25, 2023 16:48:33 GMT
Billy McGee
Information from the London Gazette and Seedies Awards
Roy Dudley Creser
Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal
HARLINGEN – attempted rescue of the Chief Officer in November 1939
Ungazetted
George Medal – for brave conduct – when Chief Officer
HARPAGON – torpedoed and sunk on 20 April 1942, some 150 miles NNW of Bermuda, in position 34 35N 065 50W, by U-109
The London Gazette reports:-
The ship was subjected to two violent explosions which caused her to sink within a few minutes. There was no opportunity to launch any boats. The Chief and Second Officers jumped overboard and swam to a raft on which there was another survivor. They were able to rescue five others of the crew and collect stores and water from other rafts. The Chief Officer was in charge of this party throughout and it was due entirely to his foresight and judgment in securing food and water and in providing shelter that the party survived their tremendous ordeal. His dauntless courage sustained the spirits and hopes of his party and the discipline which he maintained, particularly in regard to the rationing of food and water, ensured that with the strictest economy supplies lasted throughout the voyage, of 34 days. But for outstanding qualities of leadership which the Chief Officer displayed, very few, if any, of the party would have survived. The Chief Engineer and the Second Officer showed courage, fortitude and resource, while the cheerful demeanour and willing assistance given by Able Seaman McBridge set a fine example to the rest of those on the raft.
01 January 1943 Gazette Issue 35850, Supplement 170, published 05 January 1943
Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Chief Officer
HARPAGON – as above
Information from the London Gazette and Seedies Awards
Roy Dudley Creser
Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal
HARLINGEN – attempted rescue of the Chief Officer in November 1939
Ungazetted
George Medal – for brave conduct – when Chief Officer
HARPAGON – torpedoed and sunk on 20 April 1942, some 150 miles NNW of Bermuda, in position 34 35N 065 50W, by U-109
The London Gazette reports:-
The ship was subjected to two violent explosions which caused her to sink within a few minutes. There was no opportunity to launch any boats. The Chief and Second Officers jumped overboard and swam to a raft on which there was another survivor. They were able to rescue five others of the crew and collect stores and water from other rafts. The Chief Officer was in charge of this party throughout and it was due entirely to his foresight and judgment in securing food and water and in providing shelter that the party survived their tremendous ordeal. His dauntless courage sustained the spirits and hopes of his party and the discipline which he maintained, particularly in regard to the rationing of food and water, ensured that with the strictest economy supplies lasted throughout the voyage, of 34 days. But for outstanding qualities of leadership which the Chief Officer displayed, very few, if any, of the party would have survived. The Chief Engineer and the Second Officer showed courage, fortitude and resource, while the cheerful demeanour and willing assistance given by Able Seaman McBridge set a fine example to the rest of those on the raft.
01 January 1943 Gazette Issue 35850, Supplement 170, published 05 January 1943
Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea – when Chief Officer
HARPAGON – as above