Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander

Unit:

HMS Cossack (F03), Royal Navy

Awarded on:

April 12th, 1940

Citation:
"For daring, leadership and address in command of the party which boarded Altmark while the ships were manoeuvring under high power, changing relative positions and not in full contact, so that he had to leap a fathom to reach her. He pulled up the Petty Officer next behind him. who had jumped short and hung by his hands, made fast the hawser, and, cheering, led his party at the double to the bridge. Having disarmed such enemy officers as carried firearms, he took over from a German first the starboard then the port telegraph and set it to " Stop " instead of " Full Speed Ahead," so that Altmark could not ram Cossack, but grounded aft on a shelf, making about 4 knots sternway."