Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

First Class Stewardess

Unit:

M.V. Rangitane, New Zealand Merchant Navy

Awarded on:

November 27th, 1940

Citation:
"Enemy surface raiders attacked and sank the ship. Although badly wounded, Mrs Plumb aided and guided her passengers from their quarters to the boat stations, and then cared for them when in the lifeboat. When on board the raider she refused medical attention until all the injured had been attended to, and it was only when the Doctors saw that she was fainting from loss of blood that they treated her and found she had been lacerated by shell splinters. Ship's Cook Francis, and Deck Mechanic Walker were among the last to leave the ship. At great risk, Francis rescued two women from burning accommodation, and helped a badly injured passenger to the lifeboat. While under shell fire Walker tended two of the crew and took them to a lifeboat, and when it capsized he supported one of the men, who was too badly hurt to wear a lifebelt, and got him to safety."

Published in the Lloyd's List & Shipping Gazette No.39,755 for Thursday 16th April 1942.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

First Class Stewardess

Unit:

M.V. Rangitane, New Zealand Merchant Navy

Awarded on:

October 21st, 1941

Citation:
"The ship was attacked and sunk by enemy surface raiders.
Mrs. Plumb was badly wounded early in the shelling, but she helped and guided her passengers from their quarters to their boat stations and continued to look after them when in the lifeboat.
On board the raider she refused medical attention and made light of her injuries until all the other wounded had been treated.
It was not until the German doctors noticed she was fainting, owing to the loss of blood, that they tended her and found she had been lacerated by shell splinters.
Among the last to leave the ship were Ship's Cook Francis and Deck Mechanic Walker. Francis, at great risk to himself, rescued two women from burning accommodation and took a badly wounded passenger with him to the boat. Walker tended two wounded ship mates under shell-fire and brought .them to a lifeboat. When this capsized, he supported one of the men, who was too badly hurt to wear a life-belt, and got him to safety."

Medal presented by his Excellency the Governor General of the Dominion of New Zealand at Government House, Auckland, on 10th April 1942.