Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Radio Officer

Unit:

s.s. Marnaar, British Merchant Navy

Awarded on:

October 13th, 1939

Citation:
"When the s.s. " Manaar " was attacked by an enemy submarine there was no summons to stop. About ten shots were fired before the ship was abandoned after twenty or thirty minutes. Three shells were fired, one of which took away the fore-part of the wheelhouse and probably the wireless aerial. Rapid shrapnel followed. Some of the men in the boats were injured by gunfire. The Radio-Officer was inadvertently left behind in the ship with two members of the native crew, one severely wounded and the other injured. His shipmates called to him to come down and join them in the Master's boat, but he refused to leave the ship until the two other members of the crew could be rescued. He tried to lower a lifeboat, but the falls jammed and then suddenly ran out, so that the boat crashed into the water and filled. He carried the severely wounded Lascar to another boat, and was about to lower it when the boat was blown to pieces, with the wounded man inside. He then swam out to the waterlogged boat and pulled her alongside. The injured Lascar then went down the rope into the boat, which was cut adrift, and joined the Master's boat. All this was done under fire."

Civil Division.
Was permitted to exchange the Empire Gallantry Medal to receive the George Cross after September 24th, 1940.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Radio Officer

Unit:

s.s. Marnaar, British Merchant Navy

Awarded on:

1940

Received the Empire Gallantry Medal for his deed, but was allowed to exchange his award for the George Cross after 24 September 1940.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)