Albert Medal and Edward Medal

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INDEX

Gazette Edition in (brackets)

AM - Albert Medal

EM - Edward Medal

ABBOTT, George Faucett Pitts, Deckhand, RNR (Trawler Section), AM (30428)

ABBOTT, Edmund Geoffrey, Lt, RN, AM (31821)

ALLAN, John, Donkeyman, MMR, 942760, AM (30911)

ANDERSON, Thomas, salvage ship crew, EM (30591)

ATKINSON, Edward Leicester, Surg Lt-Cdr, RN, AM (31348)

BAGOT, Arthur Gerald, Lt, RNVR, AM (30852)

BAILEY, Albert Victor, Stoker PO, ONK6117 (Dev), AM (31879)

BEARD, Edward S, Stoker PO, RCNVR, AM (31187)

BECKER, William, AB, ONJ 5841, AM (30599)

BELBEN, George Devereux, Lt, RN, AM (31157)

BEVAN, George Parker, Capt, RN, AM (30787)

BROWN, John Edward, Private, RMLI, AM (30273)

BROWN, Hugh, Boatswain, MN, AM (31352)

BUCKLE, Henry, Mate, RN, AM (31879)

BUGG, Rupert Walter, Ldg Deckhand, RNR, ON5046SD, AM (30694)

BULMER, John David, Boatswain, MN, AM (30273)

CALTHROP, Walter Henry Calthrop, Cdr, RN, AM (30928)

CLAYTON, Reginald Curtis, App, MN, AM (30868)

CONOLLY, Joseph, 3rd Eng, MN, AM (29924)

COULSON, Robert, 2nd Eng, MN, AM (30868)

DAVIS, Edward Peverall Meggs, Flt Lt, RNAS, AM (30435)

DAVIS, Thomas N, LS, ONJ18334 (Dev), AM (30599)

DAY, Harry Melville Arbuthnot, Lt, RMLI, AM (31112)

DRISCOLL, Patrick, CPO, RN, Silver Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea (31239)

ERNEST, Albert, Stoker PO, ON227692, AM (31157)

EVANS, David Hywel, Sub-Lt, RNVR, AM (31157)

FALCONER, David, Ch Eng, MN, AM (31251)

FEETHAM, Christopher, Fireman, MN, AM (31239)

FEGEN, Edward Stephen Fogarty, Lt, RN, Silver Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea AM (31239)

FURNEAUX, Alfred William, Ch Steward, MN, AM (30488)

GALE, George, Admiralty foreman stevedore, EM (30591)

GOODHART, Francis Herbert Heaveningham, Cdr, RN, AM (30646)

HARVEY, William Fryer, Surg-Lt, RN, AM (30980)

HENRY, James Dixon, AB, MN, AM (30787)

HOARE, Keith Robin, Lt-Cdr, RNVR, AM (30852)

HURRY, James Campbell, Master, MN, AM (30273)

JOYCE, Michael, ERA, AM (30055)

KEOGH, Michael Sullivan, CPO, RNAS, AM (29439) (29588)

KIMBER, Walter, Stoker PO, AM (30055)

KNOULTON, Richard, OD, RN, AM (30428)

LISTER, Maurice, Asst Butcher, MN, AM (30953)

MACBRYDE, Robert, Adm clerk, Civilian, AM (30273)

MACMAHON, Maurice, Lt, RNR, AM (30510)

MARTIN, William Francis Gordon, Ch Off, MN, AM (30273)

MATTISON, Albert Charles, Boatswain, RCN, AM (31187)

MCKENZIE, Charles, Ch Off, MN, AM (30876)

MILLAR, Charles Davie, LS, ON218811, AM (30947)

NEWMAN, Alfred William, Mate, RN, AM (30557)

NUNN, Edward, AB, ONJ15703, AM (31157)

POOLEY, Ernest A, Ch Motor Mech, MB1627, AM (30267)

POWLEY, Herbert, Deckhand, SD1193, AM (30267)

PYSDEN, Edmund John, Art Eng, RN, AM (30267)

RATH, Nicholas, Seaman, RNR, AM (30428)

RICHARDSON, Edward Henry, Lt, RNR, AM (30787)

ROBERTSON, Paul Douglas, Flt Cdr, RNAS, AM (30752)

ROBINSON, Harold Victor, Air Mech, AM (30565)

RUTLAND, Frederick Joseph, Lt, RN, AM (29703)

SCOTT, Richard James Rodney, Lt-Cdr, RN, AM (31821)

SMITH, Robert Sydney Steele, Surg Probationer, RNVR, AM (30392)

SMITH, Harry, Comm Eng, RN, AM (32074)

SPENCE, Alexander McIntyre, Master, MN, AM (30358)

STANNERS, John George, Deckhand, RNR,  ON17562DA, AM (30694)

STARTIN, Robert Arthur, Lt, RN, AM (29573)

STARTIN, James, Cdre, RNR, AM (30852)

STEERE, Eric Edward, Boy Mech, AM (30565)

STONES, Robert, AB, ONJ29998 (Dev), AM (30599)

THOMPSON, Malcolm, AB, MN, AM (30787)

TIERNEY, James Edward, salvage ship crew, EM (30591)

TRIGGS, Tom Kenneth, Lt-Cdr, RN, AM (30599)

TWIDLE, Edgar, Master, MN, AM (30273)

WAINWRIGHT, David, Lt, RN, AM (31348)

WARDEN, Arthur Richard Shaw, Lt-Cdr, RN, AM (29552)

WATSON, Victor Albert, Flt Lt, RN, AM (30565)

WATSON, Christopher, 2nd Eng, MN, AM (30787)

WEEKS, Frederick William, Lt, RNR, AM (29982)

see also

ROYAL NAVY and BRITISH MERCHANT NAVY AWARDS of the ALBERT MEDAL - illustrated

also awards of Edward Medal and
Silver Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea

1916

29439 - 14 JANUARY 1916

Whitehall, January 12, 1916.

The KING has been pleased to approve of the Albert Medal of the Second Class being, conferred upon Michael Sullivan Keogh, Chief Petty Officer, H.M.S. "Ark Royal," in recognition of his gallantry in endeavouring to save life as detailed below:  

On the 19th August, 1915, an aeroplane, piloted by the late Captain C. H. Collet, D.S.O., R.M.A., was ascending from Imbros Aerodrome, and had reached a height of 150 feet when the engine stopped. The machine was upset by the powerful air currents from the cliffs, and fell vertically to the ground, while the petrol carried burst into flames which immediately enveloped the aeroplane and pilot.  Chief Petty Officer Keogh, upon arriving at the scene of the accident, at once made an attempt to save Captain Collet by dashing into the midst of the wreckage, which was a mass of flames. He had succeeded in dragging the fatally injured officer nearly clear of the flames; when he was himself overcome by the burns; which he had received from the blazing petrol.

29552 - 18 APRIL 1916

Whitehall, April 14, 1916.

The KING was pleased, on Saturday, the 8th instant, at Buckingham Palace, to present to Lieutenant-Commander Arthur Richard Shaw Warden, R.N., the Albert Medal of the First Class, which was conferred upon him by His Majesty for gallantry in saving life, as detailed below:

On the morning of the 26th October, 1915, the Orderly Officer on duty at the Bassin Loubet, Boulogne, was informed that a fire had broken out in the after hold of the S.S. "Maine" Ammunition Ship, in which a quantity of high explosives was stowed, and he at once reported the fact to Lieutenant-Commander Warden, at the Office of the Naval Transport Officer. In the meantime the ship was abandoned by her officers and crew, and steps were taken by the local fire brigade to rig the shore fire hoses.

Lieutenant-Commander Warden immediately proceeded on board, and on arrival at the after hold found smoke issuing from between the high explosive cases in the centre of the hatch. He went down into the hold, lifted up one of the cases, and called for the fire hose, which was passed to him by Private Edward Gimble, 1st Battalion, Middlesex Regiment, who had followed him on board.  This case, and the one next to it, were alight on their adjacent sides. Lieutenant-Commander Warden played the hose on them and. extinguished the fire. Subsequent investigation showed that the fire was in all probability due to the ignition by friction or spontaneous combustion of amorphous phosphorus, which had leaked from boxes containing that substance stowed above the cases containing the high explosives.

There is little doubt that the prompt and gallant action of Lieutenant-Commander Warden prevented an explosion which would have had serious and possibly disastrous results with almost certain loss of life.

The Albert Medal of the Second Class has been awarded to Private Gimble.

29573 - 9 MAY 1916

Admiralty, 6th May, 1916.

The KING (is) pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal of the Second Class on: 

Lieutenant Robert Arthur Startin, R.N. 

The following is the account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred: 

During the violent gale and snowstorm on the night of the 28th March, 1916, the whaler of H.M.S. "Melpomene," with a crew of six men, was driven, by the blizzard on to the mud about ¾ of a mile up the river above the Parkstone Jetty, Harwich. Lieut. Startin, on hearing that the whaler was missing, set out alone to search along the river bed. After wading through deep mud, at times up to his armpits, for a distance of about 300 yards, he eventually found the whaler, half full of water, aground on the mud, with her crew lying helpless in the boat, having given up all hope of being rescued. He only succeeded in rousing them by beating them with his stick, one man having to be forcibly dragged all the way to the shore by Lieut. Startin and the coxswain of the boat. After dragging him for about an hour, a distance of about 40 or 50 yards had been covered, when a light was seen moving inshore. Lieut. Startin ordered the crew to remain where they where whilst he went to the light, which proved to be carried by a search party with a rope. This rope was taken backwards and forwards personally by Lieut. Startin from the shore to the boat's crew until each one had been rescued, this exhausting and dangerous task in the deep mud being performed under the most trying weather conditions. All the crew were thus saved, though one afterwards died from the effects of exposure.

29588 - 19 MAY 1916

Whitehall, May 18, 1916.

The KING was pleased, on Wednesday, the 17th instant, at Buckingham Palace, to present to Chief Petty Officer Michael Sullivan Keogh, R.N.A.S., late of H.M.S. "Ark Royal," the Albert Medal of the Second Class which was conferred upon him for gallantry in endeavouring to save the life of Captain C. H. Collet, D.S.O., R.M.A., on the occasion of an aeroplane accident at the Island of Imbros on the 19th August, 1915. Full particulars are set forth in the notice appearing in the London Gazette of the 14th January last.

29703 - 11 AUGUST 1916 

Admiralty, 11th August, 1916.

The KING (is) pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal of the First Class on:  

Lieutenant Frederick Joseph Rutland, R.N. (Flight Lieutenant, Royal Naval Air Service).  

The following is the account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred:  

During the transhipment of the crew of H.M.S. "Warrior" to H.M.S. "Engadine" on the morning of the 1st of June, 1916, succeeding the naval battle off the coast of Jutland, one of the severely wounded, owing to the violent motion of the two ships, was accidentally dropped overboard from a stretcher and fell between the ships. As the ships were working most dangerously, the Commanding Officer of the "Warrior" had to forbid two of his officers from jumping overboard to the rescue of the wounded man, as he considered that it would mean their almost certain death. Before he could be observed, however, Lieutenant Rutland, of H.M.S. "Engadine," went overboard from the forepart of that ship with a bowline, and worked himself aft. He succeeded in putting the bowline around the wounded man and in getting him hauled on board, but it was then found that the man was dead, having been crushed between the two ships. Lieutenant Rutland's escape from a similar fate was miraculous. His bravery is reported to have been magnificent.

1917

29924 – 30 JANUARY 1917

Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, 30th January, 1917.

The KING (is) pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal of the Second Class upon Mr. Joseph Conolly, Third Engineer of the steamship "Vanellus," of Cork.

The following is an account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred:  

On the 1st October, 1916, the steamship "Vanellus," of Cork, struck a mine in Havre Roads, and the vessel, which was laden with petrol, immediately burst into flames. Owing to the rapidity with which .the. flames spread it was impossible to clear away the boats, and most of the crew jumped overboard. Three lives were lost by the casualty. Although the engine-room telegraph was broken by the explosion Mr. Conolly remained at his post in the engine-room until everyone else had left the ship. He kept the engines working astern, and thus made it possible for a lifeboat to be lowered on the port side, and by this means a number of lives were saved. Before finally leaving the ship he again went below and stopped the engines. Mr. Conolly was badly burnt in rendering the services.

29982 - 13 MARCH 1917

Admiralty, 12th March, 1917.

The KING (is) pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal of the Second Class on:

Acting Lieutenant Frederick William Weeks, R.N.R.

The following is the account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred:

On the night of Thursday, the 18th January, 1917, a member of the crew of one of his Majesty's Ships, when returning from leave, fell into the sea between the ship and the quay. The matter was at once reported to Acting Lieutenant Frederick William Weeks, R.N.R., to whom it was obvious that any attempt at rescue must be attended by considerable danger. The ship, which was kept clear of the side of the quay by spar fenders of only nine inches in diameter, was working to and fro with the slight swell entering the harbour. Moreover the man was incapable of helping himself; he was of heavy build and was wearing a uniform greatcoat. In view of the risk to the rescuer of being crushed between the ship and the quay, Lieutenant Weeks decided that he could not order a man down. He thereupon took a line and went down himself. By this time the man was almost unconscious. Lieutenant Weeks managed to obtain a hold of his hair and by this means kept him sufficiently above water, whilst wedging himself with his back against the quay with his knees against the ship's side. During this time he was mostly under water, the temperature of which was thirty-nine degrees. He succeeded in securing a line round the man, who was hauled on deck. The man was unconscious and very nearly drowned when brought on deck, and there is no doubt that, but for Lieutenant Weeks' prompt measures, he would have lost his life.

30055 - 8 MAY 1917

Admiralty, 4th May, 1917.

The KING hag been graciously pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal of the Second Class on:

Michael Joyce, Engine Room Artificer, 3rd Class (now Acting Chief Engine Room Artificer, 2nd Class), O.N. M 1400.

Walter Kimber, Stoker Petty Officer (now Chief Stoker), O.N. 307820.

The following is the account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred:  

H.M.S. "Zulu" was mined on the 8th November, 1916. As a result of the explosion the bottom of the after part of the engine room was blown out, and the whole compartment reduced to a mass of debris and broken steam and water pipes. Immediately after the explosion Joyce and Kimber proceeded to the engine room, the former having just come off watch. The latter had just left the boiler room, after he had seen that the oil-burners were shut off and everything was in order, and had sent his hands on deck. Hearing the sound of moans coming from inside the engine room, they both attempted to enter it by the foremost hatch and ladder. As the heat in the engine room was intense and volumes of steam were coming up forward, they then lifted one of the square ventilating hatches further aft on the top of the engine room casing (port side) and climbed into the rapidly flooding compartment over the steam pipes, which were extremely hot. Scrambling over the debris, they discovered well over on the starboard side Stoker Petty Officer Smith, with his head just out of the water. A rope was lowered from the upper deck, and with great difficulty Smith, who was entangled in fractured pipes and other wreckage, was hauled up alive. At the same time Stoker Petty Officer Powell was found floating, in the water on the port side of the engine room. The rope was lowered again and passed around Powell, who, however, was found to be dead on reaching the deck. The water was so high that further efforts to discover the remaining Artificer left in the engine room would have been useless, and the attempt had to be abandoned.

30267 - 4 SEPTEMBER 1917

Admiralty, 3rd September, 1917.

The KING (is) pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal on:

Ernest A. Pooley, Chief Motor Mechanic, M.B. 1627.

Herbert Powley, Deckhand, S.D. 1193.

The following is the account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred:

On the 22nd April, 1917, a violent explosion occurred on board H.M. Motor Launch 431 while she was lying alongside the jetty at the Base. The after part of the vessel was wrecked, and it at once became known that Sub-Lieutenant Charles W. Nash, R.N.V.R., was buried beneath the wreckage. Chief Motor Mechanic Pooley and Deckhand Powley, who were on board their own vessel lying at the jetty some fifty yards astern, immediately hurried to the motor launch, which was by that time burning fiercely. The flames were every instant drawing nearer to the spot where Sub-Lieutenant Nash lay buried, and it was clear that there was imminent danger of the after petrol tanks exploding at any moment. Regardless of the fact that this would mean certain death to them, Powley and Pooley jumped on board the vessel and succeeded in extricating Sub-Lieutenant Nash from beneath the wreckage and carrying him to the jetty. As they were leaving the boat the whole of the after part burst into flames, and, in all probability, had they been delayed for another thirty seconds all three would have perished. Deckhand Powley, who led the way on board the burning motor launch, had subsequently to be sent to hospital suffering from the effects of fumes.

____

Artificer Engineer (now Acting Mate (E)) Edmund John Pysden, R.N. The following is the account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred:

On the morning of the 27th February, 1917, one of the auxiliary stop valves in one of H.M. Ships accidentally burst, the boiler room immediately becoming filled with dense steam. In spite of the danger of burning and suffocation from steam, and of the fact that it was impossible to draw fires or at once to lift the safety valves, which rendered the possibility of a second and even worse accident highly probable, Mr. Edmund John Pysden, Artificer Engineer, R.N., made several gallant attempts to enter the stokehold, and succeeded in bringing out two men who were lying insensible on the stokehold plates, and helped to bring out others. Several of the survivors would undoubtedly have lost their lives but for the rescues effected by this officer and others. Mr. Pysden also eventually succeeded in opening the safety valve, which relieved the immediate danger of a further accident. Although he had a wet rag tied over his mouth, he swallowed a considerable quantity of live steam, and was partially incapacitated by its effects. Notwithstanding the gallant efforts of Mr. Pysden and other members of the ship's company, three men lost their lives owing to the accident and nine were seriously injured.

30273 - 7 SEPTEMBER 1917

Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, 7th September, 1917.

The KING (is) pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal upon

Mr. James Campbell Hurry, master of the steamship " Earl of Forfar," of Glasgow. The following is an account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred:

On the 8th November, 1916, while the Steamship "Earl of Forfar," of Glasgow, was lying at Archangel, a fire broke out on a Russian steamship and spread to the "Earl of Forfar," which was lying immediately ahead. Captain Hurry, who was on shore, attempted to return to his vessel, but he was unable to do so. He proceeded, however, to render assistance to other vessels which were in danger of being burnt. While doing so, he heard voices coming from his own ship, which was burning and exploding furiously. Calling for volunteers, he led them on board his steamer, and seven injured men were rescued, some of whom he personally carried to a tug. While thus engaged considerable risk was incurred by Captain Hurry, who had to lift several live shells from the deck of the vessel in order to get at the wounded. Within ten minutes of the last man being rescued the deck blew up.

____

Mr. Edgar Twidle, master, and Mr. William Francis Gordon Martin, chief officer, of the steamship "Bayropea," of London, and Mr. Robert MacBryde, Admiralty clerk, temporarily employed as Commodore's Secretary. The following is an account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred:

On the 26th January, 1917, a series of fires and explosions occurred at Economia, port of Archangel. When Captain Twidle arrived on the scene his ship was burning fiercely. On being informed that the Chief Engineer was alive, Captain. Twidle climbed on board but found that he was dead. He then examined the other rooms and found a Chinese sailor in a dazed condition. With the assistance of Mr. Martin and Mr. MacBryde this man was got over the ship's side across the ice, and eventually to the Red Cross station. About four minutes after the seaman had been removed the vessel blew up.

____

John David Bulmer, boatswain of the steamship "Rhydwen," of Cardiff, and Private John Edward Brown, R.M.L.I. The following is an account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred:

On the 31st January, 1917, while the steamship "Rhydwen," of Cardiff, was lying at Genoa, a fire broke out in the ship's magazine. A fire signal was immediately hoisted, but, before assistance arrived Bulmer and Brown went below, unlocked the door of the magazine and got the hose at the seat of the fire. Water was then played on the magazine and the ammunition was taken out on deck, and, owing to the prompt action of the ship's crew, the fire was extinguished. Considerable risk was incurred by Bulmer and Brown in rendering the service.  

30358 - 30 OCTOBER 1917

Board of Trade, 30th October, 1917.

The KING (is) pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal upon Mr. Alexander McIntyre Spence, master of the steamship "Shuna," of Glasgow. The following is an account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred:

On the 3rd July, 1917, while the steamship "Shuna" was anchored in the River Seine, a fire broke out among some cases of grenades which formed part of the deck cargo. Captain Spence immediately hurried to the scene of the fire, but by the time he reached the spot the cases were well alight. With a few buckets of water he succeeded in extinguishing the fire before the first hose could be started, and he then removed the charred cases. Later on some others caught alight, but the fire was got under by means of the hose. Considerable risk was incurred by Captain Spence in rendering the service, and his prompt action undoubtedly averted an explosion and thus saved a great many lives.

30374 - 9 NOVEMBER 1917

Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, 8th November,1917.

The KING (is) pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal upon Acting Quartermaster-Serjeant James William Brown, Royal Army Medical Corps, Serjeant William Seymour, Northumberland Fusiliers, and Privates Arthur Duff Hadden Allan and James Cuthbertson, of the Royal Army Medical Corps (T.).

The following is an account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred:

On the morning of the 5th February, 1917, a serious explosion, followed by a fire, occurred on the French troopship "St. Laurent" at Malta. After some time it was observed that three men in the forepart of the ship, where the flames were fiercest, were cut off from the rest. None of the boats near would approach the ship owing to the heat and danger of a further explosion, until Acting Quartermaster-Serjeant Brown persuaded a Maltese Policeman to row him out; but when within thirty yards of the ship the Policeman refused to go further. Brown returned, and was then joined by Seymour, Allan and Cuthbertson. They rowed directly to the forepart of the ship, the sides of which were by this time red hot, while the plates were falling into the sea. When they were within a few yards of the ship two of the three men in the forepart jumped into the sea and were rescued; the third, who had climbed up the mast, was saved later when the mast fell.

30392 - 20 NOVEMBER 1917

Admiralty, 20th November, 1917.

The KING (is) pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal on:

Surgeon Probationer Robert Sydney Steele Smith, R.N.V.R.

The following is the account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred:

Surgeon Probationer Robert Sydney Steele Smith, R.N.V.R., was Medical Officer of one of H.M. ships which was torpedoed by an enemy submarine. When the enemy torpedo struck the ship Surgeon Probationer Smith was in the wardroom aft with the 1st Lieutenant. The explosion wrecked the wardroom and rendered the 1st Lieutenant unconscious. All other exit being blocked, Surgeon Probationer Smith piled the wrecked furniture under the skylight, and got the 1st Lieutenant through this on deck. He then attended to a Petty Officer who was lying on deck with a broken arm and leg, adjusted and blew up his life-belt, and after doing the same for the 1st Lieutenant got him overboard, as the ship was then foundering. The 1st Lieutenant was by then partially conscious, but was again stunned owing to an explosion when the vessel foundered, and when he was picked up by the boat he was apparently dead. Surgeon Probationer Smith applied artificial respiration until the 1st Lieutenant showed signs of life; he afterwards attended to the injured in the boat so far as the circumstances allowed, until they were picked up forty-three hours later.

30428 - 14 DECEMBER 1917

Whitehall, December 12, 1917.

The KING has been pleased to award the Albert Medal in Gold to Nicholas Rath, Seaman, R.N.R., and the Albert Medal to Richard Knoulton, Ordinary Seaman, R.N., and George Faucett Pitts Abbott, Deckhand, R.N.R. (Trawler Section), in recognition of their gallantry in saving life in the following circumstances:

On the 14th September, 1917, a seaplane collided with a Poulsen mast and remained wedged in it, the pilot (Acting Flight Commander E. A. de Ville) being rendered unconscious and thrown out of his seat on to one of the wings. The three men above mentioned at once climbed up the mast for 100 feet, when Rath, making use of the boatswain's chair, which moves on the inside of the mast, was hoisted up by men at the foot of the mast to the place, over 300 feet from the ground, where the seaplane was fixed. He then climbed out on the plane, and held the pilot until the arrival of Knoulton and Abbott, who passed the masthead gantline out to him. Having secured the pilot with the gantline Rath, with the assistance of Knoulton and Abbott, lifted him from the plane to the inside of the mast and lowered him to the ground. The three men were very well aware of the damaged and insecure condition of the mast, which was bent to an angle where the seaplane had become wedged. One of the three supports of the mast was fractured, and, so far as the men knew, the mast or seaplane might at any time have collapsed.

30435 - 18 DECEMBER 1917

Admiralty, 18th December, 1917.

The KING (is) pleased to confer the Albert Medal on:

Flight Lieutenant Edward Peverall Meggs Davis, R.N.A.S.

The following is the account of the services in respect of which the decoration has been conferred:

On the 3rd October, 1917, whilst carrying out a practice flight, a seaplane, piloted by Flight Sub-Lieutenunt James Douglas Grant, fell into the sea. The seaplane turned over and the pilot was enclosed in the boat under water. Flight Lieutenant Edward Peverall Meggs Davis immediately flew a seaplane to the position of the accident, made fast to the wreck, and dived under the wreck in his uniform and endeavoured to extricate Flight Sub-Lieutenant Grant. To do this it was necessary for him to dive amongst and struggle through the mass of wires and broken parts of the wreck. Notwithstanding the imminent danger of being caught up amongst them, Lieutenant Davis continued his efforts to get Flight Sub-Lieutenant Grant out, until the emergency boat arrived on the scene. No other help was at hand until the arrival of this motor boat, which at the time of the accident was about a mile and a-half away. Flight Lieutenant Davis risked his life in endeavouring to save that of his brother officer, as there was every chance of his becoming caught under water in the wires of the wreck.

30442 - 21 DECEMBER 1917

A MEMORABLE NON-NAVAL, GALLANTRY AWARD

Whitehall, December 17, 1917.

The KING has been pleased to award the Albert Medal to Doreen Ashburnham, aged 11 years, and Anthony Farrer, aged 8 years, residing at Cowichan Lake, Vancouver Island, in recognition of the great bravery displayed by the children in the following circumstances:

On the 23rd September, 1916, the two children left their homes at Cowichan Lake for the purpose of catching their ponies and, when about half a mile from home, they were attacked by a cougar. They were almost upon the animal before they saw it crouching in a path at a corner. The little girl was first attacked; the cougar sprang upon her, and she was knocked down with her face to the ground, the animal being on her back. The boy at once attacked the cougar with his fists and riding bridle, and drove the animal off the girl; it then attacked him, and his companion, getting to her feet, came to his rescue, fighting with her clenched hands and bridle, and even putting her arm into the cougar's mouth, to try to prevent it from biting Anthony. She succeeded in getting it off the boy, and it stood on its hindquarters and fought with her, but evidently it was disturbed by some sound, for presently it slunk away and ran under a log, where it was afterwards killed. The children, though both badly injured, were able to make their way home. The cougar measured over 7 feet from nose to tip of tail.

1918

30472 - 11 JANUARY 1918

Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, 11th January, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal upon Private Samuel Arnold Bodsworth, Royal Army Medical Corps. The following is an account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred:

On the 10th April, 1917, His Majesty's Hospital Ship "Salta" was sunk in Havre Roads. His Majesty's Ship "Druid" proceeded to render assistance and got alongside a swamped boat of the "Salta." All the occupants of the boat were rescued except a Hospital Sister and Private Bodsworth. The former was so exhausted that she was unable to hold the ropes thrown to her, and eventually became unconscious. Although he might have been rescued, Private Bodsworth persisted in remaining in the boat with the Sister, and, after she had fallen overboard and been hauled back again, he finally succeeded in placing a line round her body, by means of which she was hauled on board the "Druid." Very considerable risk was incurred by Private Bodsworth in rendering the service on account of the rough sea which prevailed at the time.

30488 - 22 JANUARY 1918

Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, 21st January, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal in Gold upon Mr. Alfred William Furneaux, a chief steward in the Mercantile Marine. The following is an account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred:

In April, 1917, the steamship in which Mr. Furneaux was serving was torpedoed by the enemy, and a Lascar, who was on the spot where certain deck plates had buckled and broken, had his legs so firmly caught between the plates that he would have gone down with the ship. Mr. Furneaux, however, went to the man's assistance and managed to get one leg out, but the other was nearly severed through above the knee. Finding it impossible to pull this leg out, Mr. Furneaux amputated it with an ordinary clasp knife and then carried the man to a boat. When in the boat he dressed the wound as well as possible, and gave the life belt he was wearing to the wounded man. Mr. Furneaux also rendered first aid in the boat to another Lascar who was badly scalded. Mr. Furneaux was in imminent danger of losing his life in rendering the service.

30510 - 5 FEBRUARY 1918

Admiralty, 5th February, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal to Lieutenant (acting Lieutenant-Commander) Maurice MacMahon, R.N.R., for gallantry in saving life at sea. The following is the account of the services in respect of which the decoration has been conferred:

On the 8th November, 1916, a series of fires and explosions occurred at Bakaritsa, Port of Archangel. After the merchant ships had been got away from the wharves, cries and moans were heard from the direction of a 100-ton floating crane moored between the S.S. "Earl of Forfar" and the quay. The "Earl of Forfar" was on fire fore and aft, and it was obvious that any attempt to save life must be accompanied by the greatest risk, the ship having explosives on board and the quay abreast it burning furiously with intermittent explosions from small arm ammunition. Lieutenant-Commander MacMahon, without a moment's hesitation, volunteered to carry out rescue work, although other rescue parties considered that they had already done all that was humanly possible. In order to reach the floating crane it was necessary to cross the "Earl of Forfar," the after part of which had blown up, whilst the forepart was on fire and the forecastle was a mass of smouldering debris. Hearing moans from under the debris of the forecastle, Lieutenant-Commander MacMahon, with the aid of the crew of a tug, cleared away the wreckage and discovered the mate, with one arm, one leg, and collar-bone fractured. This man was extricated and passed into the tug. Lieutenant-Commander MacMahon then proceeded on to the floating crane by means of a single plank and rescued from beneath the debris of the crane the carpenter of the "Earl of Forfar" and two Russian subjects, part of the crane's crew.

30557 - 5 MARCH 1918

Admiralty, 1st March, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to confer the Albert Medal on Mr. Alfred William Newman, Acting Mate, R.N.

On the 10th October, 1917, an alarm of fire was given in the after magazine of one of H.M. Ships. Mr. Alfred William Newman, Acting Mate, R.N., who was on the upper deck, proceeded to the magazine as soon as he heard the alarm, and, seeing smoke issuing from a box of cordite, opened the lid and passed the cartridges on to the upper deck, where they were thrown overboard. One cartridge in the middle of the box was very hot, and smoke was issuing from the end. It is considered that, by his prompt and gallant action, Mr. Newman saved the magazine from blowing up and the loss of many lives.

30565 - 8 MARCH 1918

Whitehall, March 6, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to award the Albert Medal to Flight Lieutenant Victor Albert Watson, R.N., and the Albert Medal in Gold to Air Mechanic, 1st Grade, Harold Victor Robinson and Boy Mechanic Eric Edward Steere.

On the occasion of an accident to one of His Majesty's Airships, which resulted in a fire breaking out on board her, Flight Lieutenant Watson, who was the senior Officer on the spot, immediately rushed up to the car of the airship under the impression that one of the crew was still in it, although he was well aware that there were heavy bombs attached to the airship which it was impossible to remove owing to the nearness of the fire, and which were almost certain to explode at any moment on account of the heat. Having satisfied himself that there was in fact no one in the car, he turned away to render assistance elsewhere, and at that moment one of the bombs exploded, a portion of it shattering Lieutenant Watson's right arm at the elbow. The arm had to be amputated almost immediately.

Air Mechanic H. V. Robinson and Boy Mechanic E. E. Steere, on the occasion of an accident to one of His Majesty's airships which caused a fire to break out on board her, approached the burning airship without hesitation, extricated the pilot and two members of the crew, all of whom were seriously injured, and then unclipped the bombs from the burning car and carried them out of reach of the fire. As the bombs were surrounded by flames, and were so hot that they scorched the men's hands as they carried them, they must have expected the bombs to explode.

30591 - 22 MARCH 1918

Whitehall, March 20, 1918.

His Majesty the KING (is) pleased to award the Edward Medal to Thomas Anderson and James Edward Tierney, late members of the crew of the Liverpool Salvage Association's vessel "Ranger," now in the temporary service of the Admiralty, and to George Gale, late foreman stevedore of the Admiralty at Portland Dockyard, who unhappily lost their lives under the following circumstances:

On the 31st of August, 1917, during salvage operations on board the steamship "Great City," the holds of which were known to be heavily charged with gas arising from decomposing grain, one of the stevedore's men noticed some pieces' of wood floating towards the pump and, contrary to strict orders, went down in order to pick the wood up so as to prevent the pump from choking. While in the act of doing this, he was overcome by gas and fell into the water. Anderson, who had some time previously suffered from gas poisoning, and, therefore, knew the gravity of the risk, at once went to his assistance and succeeded in holding him up while a rope was being sent down to him, but before this could reach him he was also overcome and fell into the water. Tierney and Gale then went to the rescue, but both were also overcome. Anderson, Tierney and Gale undoubtedly lost their lives in an endeavour to save the lives of their fellow workman.

30599 - 26 MARCH 1918

Admiralty, 23rd March, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to approve of the posthumous award of the Albert Medal in gold for gallantry in saving life at sea to Lieutenant-Commander (acting Commander) Tom Kenneth Triggs, R.N., and of the Albert Medal for gallantry in saving life at sea to Able Seaman William Becker, O.N. J. 5841.

On the 6th December, 1917, the French steamer "Mont Blanc," with a cargo of high explosives, and the Norwegian steamer "Imo," were in collision in Halifax Harbour . Fire broke out on the "Mont Blanc" immediately after the collision, and the flames very quickly rose to a height of over 100 feet. The crew abandoned their ship and pulled towards the shore. The Captain of H.M.S. "Highflyer," which was about a mile away, at once sent off a boat to see if anything could be done to prevent loss of life, and Commander Triggs, volunteering for this duty, immediately got into the ship's whaler and pulled to the scene. A tug and the steamboat of H.M.C.S. "Niobe" were seen going there at the same time. Commander Triggs boarded the tug, and finding it was impossible to do anything for the "Mont Blanc," decided to endeavour to get the "Imo" away, giving directions accordingly to the tug. He returned to the whaler, and was pulling towards the bows of the "Imo," which was about 300 yards from the "Mont Blanc," to pass a line from her to the tug, when a tremendous explosion occurred. Of the seven people in the whaler, one, Able Seaman Becker, was rescued alive on the Dartmouth shore, whither he had swum; the remainder perished. It is clear that after communication with the tug, Commander Triggs and the rest of the boat's crew were fully aware of the desperate nature of the work they were engaged in, and that by their devotion to duty they sacrificed their lives in the endeavour to save the lives of others.

____

The KING has further been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal for gallantry in saving life at sea to Leading Seaman Thomas N. Davis, O.N. J.18334 (Dev.), and Able Seaman Robert Stones, O.N. J.29998 (Dev.).

On the 6th December, 1917, the French steamer "Mont Blanc," with a cargo of high explosives, and the Norwegian steamer "Imo," were in collision in Halifax Harbour. Fire broke out on the "Mont Blanc" immediately after the collision, and the flames very quickly rose to a height of over 100 feet. The crew abandoned their ship and pulled to the shore. A few minutes later a tremendous explosion took place, and the tug "Musquash" was seen to be on fire forward. The fire was increasing, and there appeared to be a great danger of her getting adrift, and being carried down on to another vessel. As the "Musquash" had a gun and ammunition on board there was danger of a further explosion and consequent loss of life. The Captain of H.M.S. "Highflyer" hailed a private tug and asked her to take the "Musquash" in tow, but as they were unwilling to board the "Musquash " to get her in tow, the tug was brought alongside H.M.S. "Highflyer.'' Leading Seaman Davis and Able Seaman Stones immediately volunteered, and having been transferred by the tug to the burning "Musquash," which had by this time broken adrift, they secured a line from her stern, by means of which she was towed into midstream. The line then parted, and Davis and Stones passed another line from the "Musquash" to the pumping lighter "Lee," which had now arrived. They then both went forward to the burning part, and succeeded in getting to the ammunition, which was by this time badly scorched, pulled it away from the flames and threw it overboard. They then broke open the door of the galley, which was on fire inside, to enable the "Lee" to play her hoses into it. They repeated the same thing with the cabin. By their work they made it possible to subdue the fire and save further damage and loss of life. At any moment whilst they were on board the "Musquash " the ammunition might have exploded. 

30646 - 23 APRIL 1918

Admiralty, 23rd April, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to approve of the posthumous award of the Albert Medal in Gold for gallantry in saving life at sea to Commander Francis Herbert Heaveningham Goodhart, D.S.O., R.N.

Owing to an accident, one of H.M. submarines sank and became fast on the bottom in 38 feet of water, parts of the vessel becoming flooded. After several hours the only prospect of saving those remaining on board appeared to be for someone to escape from the submarine in order to concert measures with the rescuers, who were by this time present on the surface. Commander Goodhart, after consultation with the Commanding Officer, volunteered to make the attempt. Accordingly, after placing in his belt a small tin cylinder with instructions for the rescuers, Commander Goodhart went into the conning tower with the Commanding Officer. The conning tower was flooded up to their waists, and the high-pressure air was turned on; the clips of the conning tower were knocked off and the conning tower lid was soon wide open. Commander Goodhart then stood up in the dome, took a deep breath, and made his escape, but, unfortunately, was blown by the pressure of air against part of the superstructure, and was killed by the force of the blow. The Commanding Officer, whose intention it had been to return inside the submarine after Commander Goodhart's escape, was involuntarily forced to the surface by the air pressure, and it was thus rendered possible for the plans for rescuing those still inside the submarine to be carried out. Commander Goodhart displayed extreme and heroic daring in attempting to escape from the submarine in order to save the lives of those remaining on board, and thoroughly realised the forlorn nature of his act. His last remark to the Commanding Officer was: "If I don't get up, the tin cylinder will."

30694 - 21 MAY 1918

Admiralty, 16th May, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to award the Decoration of the Albert Medal to John George Stanners, Deckhand, R.N.R., O.N. 17562 D.A., and to Rupert Walter Bugg, Leading Deckhand, R.N.R., O.N. 5046 S.D.

On the 29th December, 1917, some cotton waste, which had been stored in a wooden cupboard in the Magazine of H.M. Motor Launch No. 289, caught fire from an unknown cause. On the fire being discovered by the smell of burning and by the issue of smoke from the Magazine hatch, when opened, Deckhand Stanners, without hesitation, went down into the Magazine and brought up a quantity of the burning waste. Leading Deckhand Bugg, who was in Motor Launch No. 285, alongside No. 289, smelt something burning, and on observing Deckhand Stanners coming up from the Magazine with burning material, immediately went down and extinguished the remainder of the ignited cotton waste. The promptitude of action and the high courage shown by these men in the face of very grave danger averted a serious fire, and in all probability saved both Motor Launches and the lives of those on board.

30752 - 18 JUNE 1918

Whitehall, June 15, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to award the Albert Medal to Acting Flight Commander Paul Douglas Robertson, R.N.A.S., in recognition of his gallantry in endeavouring to save life in February last.

On the 28th February, 1918, a Seaplane got out of control and spun to the ground Acting Flight Commander Robertson, the Observer, jumped from the machine just before it reached the ground and landed safely, as the ground was marshy. The Pilot, Flight Lieutenant H. C. Lemon, was imprisoned in the Seaplane, which, on striking the ground, immediately burst into flames, and notwithstanding that the vicinity of the Seaplane was quickly a furnace of blazing petrol, and that heavy bombs, a number of rounds of ammunition, and the reserve petrol tank were all likely to explode, Acting Flight Commander Robertson returned and endeavoured to extricate the Pilot, and only desisted when he had been so severely burned in the face, hands and leg that his recovery was for some time in doubt. He displayed the greatest gallantry, self-sacrifice and disregard of danger in his efforts to extricate the Pilot.

30787 - 9 JULY 1918

Admiralty, 8th July, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal to Captain George Parker Bevan, C.M.G., D.S.O., R.N., for gallantry in saving life at sea. The following is the account of the services in respect of which the decoration has been conferred:

On the 8th November, 1916, a series of explosions and fires occurred at Bakaritsa, Port of Archangel, on merchant ships and on the wharves. The S.S. "Baron Driesen" had blown up at 1 p.m. and part of the S.S. "Earl of Forfar" forty minutes later, and fresh explosions were expected every instant. It was thought that all their crews had either escaped or been killed or rescued, but after dark cries of distress were heard from the ''Earl of Forfar." The ship was a mass of flame at the time, and burning embers from the fire which was raging on shore were continually showered over her. She had a cargo of explosives on board and was abreast of the main conflagration. The flames were blown towards her by the wind, and the remaining portion of the ship was expected to be blown up at any moment. Captain Bevan, however, on hearing the cries proceeded on board, accompanied by Lieutenant-Commander MacMahon, and, hearing moans from under the smouldering debris of the forecastle, cleared away the wreckage and extricated the mate, who had an arm and a leg and his collarbone broken, and passed him into a tug. Captain Bevan displayed the utmost gallantry and disregard of his personal safety.

____

The KING has further been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal to Lieutenant Edward Henry Richardson, R.N.R., 2nd Engineer Christopher Watson, A.B. James Dixon Henry, and A.B. Malcolm Thompson, for gallantry in saving life at sea. The following is the account of the services in respect of which the decoration has been conferred:

On the 8th November, 1916, a series of fires and explosions occurred at Bakaritsa, Port of Archangel, on merchant ships and on the wharves. The S. S. "Baron Driesen'' had blown up at 1 p.m. and part of the S.S. "Earl of Forfar" forty minutes later. The latter ship, with a cargo of explosives, was on fire, and might have blown up at any moment, and explosions were continually taking place in the immediate vicinity. The ship was alongside the main fire on shore, and burning embers were constantly showered over her. Lieutenant Richardson, 2nd Engineer Watson, and, Able Seamen Henry and Thompson, of the Tug "Sunderland," nevertheless volunteered to board the "Earl of Forfar" and effected the rescue of a considerable number of wounded and helpless men who would otherwise have perished. They displayed the utmost gallantry and disregard of their own personal safety in saving the lives of others.

30852 - 20 AUGUST 1918

Admiralty, 20th August, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea to Commodore Sir James Startin, K.C.B., R.N.R. (Admiral, retired).

The account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred is as follows:

An explosion occurred on board H.M. Motor Launch 64, on the 10th June, 1918. Immediately after the explosion Commodore Startin proceeded alongside M.L. 64, the engine-room of which was still burning fiercely. On learning that the engineer was below, he sprang down the hatch without the slightest hesitation, and succeeded in recovering the body practically unaided. In view of the fact that the bulkhead between the engine-room and the forward tanks had been blown down by the force of the explosion, and that the fire was blazing upon the side and on the top of the forward tanks, which are composed of exceedingly thin metal and were consequently liable to burst at any moment, the action of Commodore Startin in entering the engine-room before the fire was subdued showed the utmost possible gallantry and disregard of personal safety. Had the engineer not been past human aid he would undoubtedly have owed his life entirely to the courage and promptitude of Commodore Startin.

________

The KING (is) pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea to Lieutenant-Commander Keith Robin Hoare D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N.V.R., and Lieutenant Arthur Gerald Bagot, D.S.C., R.N.V.R.

The account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred is as follows:

On the 12th April, 1918, an explosion took place in the engine-room of H.M. Motor Launch 356, and the forward tanks burst into flame. The Officer and some of the crew were blown overboard by the explosion, and the remainder were quickly driven aft by the flames, and were taken off in a skiff. By this time the flames were issuing from the cabin hatch aft, and there was much petrol burning on the surface of the water. It was then realised by the crews of adjacent vessels that the aft petrol tanks and the depth charge were being attacked by the fire, and might explode at any moment. At the moment when others were running away, Lieutenant Hoare and Sub-Lieutenant Bagot jumped into their dinghy, rowed to the wreck, got on board, and removed the depth charge, thereby preventing an explosion which might have caused serious loss of life amongst the crowd of English and French sailors on the quay.

30868 - 27 AUGUST 1918

Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, 27th August, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to make a posthumous award of the Decoration of the Albert Medal in recognition of the gallantry of Reginald Curtis Clayton, an apprentice in the Mercantile Marine.

In March last the steamship in which Mr. Clayton was serving was in collision, and a serious fire broke out on board. Mr. Clayton was aft, where the accommodation for the crew was situated. It was his fire-station duty to stand by the flood valve of the magazine; and, in spite of the whole of the deck being in flames, he groped his way through the fire, found the valve, and turned it on to "flood." He received such severe injuries that he succumbed in hospital four days later. Those of the crew who survived no doubt owed their lives to the flooding of the magazine.

________

Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, 26th August, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to make a posthumous award of the Decoration of the Albert Medal in recognition of the gallant conduct of Mr. Robert Coulson, a second engineer in the Mercantile Marine.

The steamship in which Mr. Coulson was serving was struck by a torpedo in the stokehold. The engine-room became full of escaping steam, and Mr. Coulson and the fourth engineer were seriously scalded. Instead of making for safety, however, Mr. Coulson, in spite of his injuries, carried the fourth engineer, who was in a helpless condition, up the engine-room ladders to the top platform, out of immediate danger of steam and the inrush of water, and he then himself became exhausted. The chief engineer, who had run to the engine-room from the bridge, assisted both the injured men out of the engine-room, and with help managed to get them into a lifeboat After being landed they were taken to hospital, where both succumbed to their injuries.

30876 - 30 AUGUST 1918

Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, 28th August, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to award the Decoration of the Albert Medal upon Mr. Charles McKenzie, a chief officer in the Mercantile Marine.

A violent explosion, followed by a fire, occurred in one of the holds of the steamship in which Mr. McKenzie was serving, which had a cargo of petroleum and case oil. Four men were in the hold at the time, and received serious injuries. Mr. McKenzie, who was on duty at the top of the hold, immediately rushed down, regardless of the possibility of further explosions, found the ship's carpenter, and assisted him to a sling, by means of which the man was hauled up on deck. Mr. McKenzie then searched the hold again and rescued a seaman in the same way. Both men, however, subsequently died of their injuries. Mr. McKenzie also found the third man, who was badly burnt, and assisted him to mount the ladder. The fourth man managed to escape by his own exertions

30911 - 20 SEPTEMBER 1918

Admiralty, 16th September, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to approve the award of the Albert Medal for gallantry in saving life at sea to John Allan, Donkeyman, M.M.R., No. 942760.

The account of the services, in respect of which this medal has been conferred, is as follows:

As the R.F.A. "Mixol" was dropping alongside to fuel one of H.M. Battle Cruisers on the 19th June, 1918, an Able Seaman slipped and fell overboard between "Mixol" and the Cruiser; "Mixol" was only about ten feet clear of the Cruiser, and was closing at the time. Donkeyman John Allan, who was standing on the fore well deck of "Mixol," saw the man fall and that he was struggling in the water. Although it was clear that the man in the water was in imminent danger of being crushed between the two ships, Allan at once jumped overboard in the clothes he was wearing to save him. He assisted the Able Seaman to keep afloat until a rope was thrown, which he gave to him, the Able Seaman being hauled on board before Allan took the rope himself. The ship was in an open anchorage, and the temperature of the water was 50°.

30928 - 1 OCTOBER 1918

Admiralty, 28th September, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal for gallantry in saving life at sea to Commander Walter Henry Calthrop Calthrop, R.N.

The account of the services in respect of which this decoration has been conferred is as follows:

On the night of the 14th/15th April, 1918, a fire broke out on board the S.S. "Proton," an ammunition ship, at Port Said. Commander Calthrop, on being informed on the telephone that the ship was on fire, immediately proceeded to the scene. The ship had already been abandoned by her crew, and was ablaze in Nos. 1 and 2 holds. The forecastle was also alight, and it was impossible to get down to the fore well deck owing to the heat of the flames. Knowing that the "Proton" had 240 tons of ammunition on board, Commander Calthrop decided to endeavour to flood the ship, and for this purpose obtained assistance and went down into the engine-room and opened the sea inlet. He also tried to break the main sea valve cover, but was not successful in this. He accordingly sent for a gun-cotton charge for the purpose of sinking the ship, and warned all ships in the vicinity to get under weigh. He then returned to the "Proton," which was now blazing fiercely forward, the sides being red hot as far aft as the bridge, and the bridge screen all alight. He again boarded her with the first and second engineers and went below, trying to break the doors of the condenser with sledge hammers. After about five minutes this was found to be impossible, and they returned on deck. By this time a picket boat had arrived with the gun-cotton charge, and it was decided that the ship ought to be sunk as soon as possible. This operation was accordingly carried out. Commander Calthrop displayed the utmost gallantry and disregard of his own personal safety in making protracted efforts, first to flood and then to sink the ship, whilst exposed to continual risk of an explosion of the ammunition on board. His efforts undoubtedly prevented serious loss of life.

30947 - 11 OCTOBER 1918

Admiralty, 9th October, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to approve the award of the Albert Medal to Charles Davie Millar, Leading Seaman, O.N. 218811, in recognition of his gallantry in the following circumstances:

On the 29th June, 1918, an outbreak of fire occurred on board Motor Launch No. 483 whilst refuelling alongside the jetty at Pembroke Dock, the fire being caused by the ignition of an overflow of petrol from the hose. Leading Seaman Millar, H.M.S. "P.C. 51," who was walking up and down the forecastle of his ship, on seeing the flames break out on the upper deck of the motor launch, immediately slid over the bows of his craft on to the motor launch, rushed aft, and removed the primers of the depth charges. He then forced his way through the flames and kicked the hose overboard, getting his clothes ignited as he did so. Having extinguished his burning clothing by jumping overboard, he climbed inboard again and assisted in getting the motor launch in tow. This man displayed initiative and disregard of danger, and by his prompt action he probably averted a serious accident. Had the depth charges detonated, very great damage would have been done and lives undoubtedly lost.

30953 - 15 OCTOBER 1918

Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, October 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal upon Maurice Lister, an assistant butcher in the Mercantile Marine.

The steamship on which Lister was serving was torpedoed and at once began to settle down and finally disappeared twenty minutes after being struck. Lister and a pantry boy, both of whom were on their first voyage, were below in a cooling chamber when the explosion occurred, and they both received serious injuries. When Lister regained, consciousness he found that both his ankles were helpless. He made his way to the top of the stairs, but found that the door was jammed. There was, however, a hatchway opening overhead, and Lister placed some of the planking, which had been blown up, against this opening in order to clamber up the planking and escape. Hearing cries of distress at this moment, however, he returned and searched the chamber on his hands and knees until he found the other boy with both legs broken, and managed by half dragging and half supporting him to get him up the planking to the steps leading to the deck. Other members of the crew then assisted both boys into boats, which were picked up after several days. The pantry boy, after being taken to hospital, succumbed to his injuries.

30980 - 29 OCTOBER 1918

Admiralty, 29th October, 1918.

The KING (is) pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal for gallantry in saving life at sea to Surg.-Lieut. William Fryer Harvey, R.N.

The account of the services in respect of which this decoration has been conferred is as follows:

On the 28th June, 1918, two of H.M. torpedo-boat destroyers were in collision, and Surg.-Lieut. Harvey was sent on board the more seriously damaged destroyer in order to render assistance to the injured. On hearing that a stoker petty officer was pinned by the arm in a damaged compartment, Surg.-Lieut. Harvey immediately went down and amputated the arm, this being the only means of freeing the petty officer. The boiler-room at the time was flooded, and full of fumes from the escaping oil. This alone constituted a great danger to anyone in the compartment, and Surg.-Lieut. Harvey collapsed from this cause after performing the operation, and had to be hauled out of the compartment. Moreover, at any time the ship might have broken in two and all hands were fallen in on deck, wearing lifebelts, at the time, in order to be ready for this eventuality. Surg.-Lieut. Harvey displayed the greatest gallantry and disregard of his personal safety in descending into the damaged compartment and continuing to work there amidst the oil fumes at a time when the ship was liable to sink.

1919

31112 - 7 JANUARY 1919

Admiralty, 7th January, 1919.

The KING (is) pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal for gallantry in saving life at sea to Actg. Lieut. Harry Melville Arbuthnot Day, R.M.L.I. The account of the services in respect of which the decoration has been awarded is as follows:

On the 9th November, 1918, H.M.S. "Britannia" was torpedoed by an enemy submarine. The explosion of the torpedo was followed by another and more violent explosion of ammunition, and fires were started, resulting in the spread of smoke and fumes. Shortly after the explosion Lieutenant Day went down to the ward room to search for wounded. He heard groaning forward of the ward room, but found that the heavy wooden door leading forward had jambed and was immovable. He then burst open the trap hatch to the ward room pantry and climbed through it. He discovered Engineer Lieutenant Stanley F. Weir, R.N., and a ward room steward alive and conscious, but unable to move. Fearing that he would hurt them if he endeavoured to drag them through the trap hatch single-handed, he climbed back into the ward room aft and up on to the quarter-deck and procured two or three stokers, with whom he returned to the ward room, and eventually carried the dying officer and man on deck and to the forecastle. During his first visit to the ward room, Lieutenant Day was alone, in the dark, the ship with a list, and fire close to the 12" magazine. Whilst carrying out this rescue work he inspected all scuttles and deadlights in the ward room (and cabins before it) and ascertained that all were properly closed before leaving. The cordite fumes were very strong, and his life was in danger throughout. His courage and resource were beyond praise.

31157 - 31 JANUARY 1919

Admiralty, 3lst January, 1919.

The KING (is) pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal for gallantry in saving life at sea to:

Lieutenant George Devereux Belben, D.S.C., R.N.,

Sub-Lieutenant David Hywel Evans, R.N.V.R.

P. O. Albert Ernest Stoker, O.N. 227692, and

Able Seaman Edward Nunn, O.N. J.15703.

The account of the services, in respect of which these decorations have been conferred, is as follows:

On the 16th September, 1918, a serious explosion occurred amidships on board H.M.S. "Glatton" whilst lying in Dover Harbour. This was followed immediately by an outbreak of fire, the oil fuel burning furiously and spreading fore and aft. Efforts were made to extinguish the fire by means of salvage tugs. The foremost magazines were flooded, but it was found impossible to get to the after magazine flooding positions. The explosion and fire cut off the after part of the ship, killing or seriously injuring all the officers who were on board with one exception. The ship might have blown up at any moment. Lieutenant Belben, Sub-Lieutenant Evans, Petty Officer Stoker, and Able Seaman Nunn were in boats which were rescuing men who had been blown, or who had jumped, overboard. They proceeded on board H.M.S. "Glatton" on their own initiative, and entered the super-structure, which was full of dense smoke, and proceeded down to the deck below.  Behaving with the greatest gallantry and contempt of danger, they succeeded in rescuing seven or eight badly injured men from the mess deck, in addition to fifteen whom they found and brought out from inside the superstructure. This work was carried out before the arrival of any gas masks, and, though at one time they were driven out by the fire, they proceeded down again after the hoses had been played on the flames. They continued until all chance of rescuing others had passed, and the ship was ordered to be abandoned, when she was sunk by torpedo, as the fire was spreading, and it was impossible to flood the after magazines. 

31187 - 18 FEBRUARY 1919

Admiralty, S.W., 18th February, 1919.

The KING (is) pleased to approve of the posthumous award of the Albert Medal for gallantry in saving life at sea to:

Mr. Albert Charles Mattison, late Acting Boatswain, Royal Canadian Navy, and

Stoker Petty Officer Edward S. Beard, late Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve.

The following is the account of the services in respect of which these decorations have been conferred:

On the 6th December, 1917, the French Steamer "Mont Blanc," with a cargo of high explosives, and the Norwegian Steamer "Imo" were in collision in Halifax Harbour. Fire broke out on the "Mont Blanc" immediately after the collision, and the flames very quickly rose to a height of over 100 feet. The crew abandoned their ship and pulled towards the shore. The commanding officer of H.M.C.S. "Niobe," which was lying in the harbour, on perceiving what had happened, sent away a steamboat to see what could be done. Mr. Mattison and six men of the Royal Naval Canadian Volunteer Reserve volunteered to form the crew of this boat, but just as the boat got alongside the "Mont Blanc" the ship blew up, and Mr. Mattison and the whole boat's crew lost their lives. The boat's crew were fully aware of the desperate nature of the work they were engaged on, and by their gallantry and devotion to duty they sacrificed their lives in the endeavour to save the lives of others. 

31239 - 18 MARCH 1919

Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens. 18th March, 1919.

His Majesty the KING (is) pleased, on the recommendation of the President of the Board of Trade, to award the Silver Medal for gallantry in saving life at sea to Lieutenant Edward Stephen Fogarty Fegen, R.N. and Chief Petty Officer Patrick Driscoll, R.N.

On the 24th March, 1918, while the British s.s. "War Knight" was proceeding up the English Channel in convoy, she collided with the United States oil carrier "O. B. Jennings." It appears that the naphtha, which was on board the latter vessel, ignited, and the two ships and surrounding water were soon enveloped in flames. The Master of the "O. B. Jennings" gave orders that all the ship's available boats should be lowered, those on the starboard side were burnt, and the crew abandoned the ship in the port boats, whilst the Master, Chief Engineer, Chief Officer and three others remained on board. H.M.S. "Garland," under the command of Lieutenant Fegen, with other destroyers, were proceeding to the spot to render assistance, when it was seen that one boat which had been lowered from the "O. B. Jennings" had been swamped. The "Garland" closed the "O. B. Jennings," rescued the men from the swamped boat, and then proceeded alongside the ship, which was still blazing, and rescued those who were still on board. She afterwards proceeded to pick up the others who had left the ship in boats, rescuing in all four officers and twenty-two men. Lieutenant Fegen handled his ship in a very able manner under difficult conditions during the rescue of the survivors, while Driscoll worked the helm and saw that all orders to the engine-room were correctly carried out.

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Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens. 18th March, 1919.

The KING (is) pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal upon Christopher Feetham, fireman, of the steamship "Hornsey," of London.

On the 10th November last, while the s.s. "Hornsey" was lying at Sunderland, a fire broke out in the mess-room and adjoining saloon. A quantity of ammunition was on board, and there was accordingly a great risk, if it exploded, of loss of life and property, as the effects of the explosion would probably not have been confined to the shipping in the harbour, but would have spread to the quay. The whole of the ship's company behaved admirably in the emergency; and the Master, Chief Engineer, Second Mate, Steward and one of the Gunners did exceptionally well in their efforts to get the fire under. The decisive factor, however, in extinguishing it and saving life and property was the heroism of Feetham. He volunteered to be let down into the cabin, and there, waist-high in water, he was able to direct his hose on to that part of the fire which would have exploded the ammunition in a very short time. As it was, some of the ammunition cases were already scorched. It was at the greatest risk of his own life that, after a long series of attempts, in conjunction, with other members of the crew, at extinguishing the outbreak, he went down alone to make a last effort, which happily was successful, and he undoubtedly saved a very large number of lives by his exceptional courage.

31251 - 25 MARCH 1919

Board of Trade, Whitehall Gardens, March, 1919.

The KING (is) pleased to make a posthumous award of the Decoration of the Albert Medal in recognition of the gallantry of Mr. David Falconer, Chief Engineer of the Steamship "War Knight" of London.

On the 24th March, 1918. the British S.S. "War Knight" was proceeding up Channel in convoy, in company with the United States Oil Carrier "O. B. Jennings." About 2.30 a.m. the "War Knight" struck the other vessel on the starboard side abreast the bridge. Flames and fumes of naphtha appear to have spurted out of the "O. B. Jennings," rushed the whole length of the "War Knight," and set her on fire. The after part of the "O. B. Jennings" also was soon burning furiously and the ship's swung together, the "War Knight" being to leeward of the "O. B. Jennings" and consequently completely enveloped in the smoke, fumes and flames from the weather ship. Immediately after the collision flames swept across the top of the engine-room through the open skylight. Mr. Falconer stood in the flames and shut the skylights down to prevent the fire from entering the engine-room. Later on, when the third engineer and a fireman, who had remained below, made their way on deck, the former was severely burnt and gassed, and Mr. Falconer dragged both men to a place where there were less flames and fumes, and then put them into the engineers' messroom with others whom he had collected, from their bunks and by breaking the skylight he assisted them all to get on to the boat deck. Finally, although he could not swim, he took off his own lifebelt and put it on the third engineer, and did not leave the ship until he was satisfied that there were no others in need of assistance. Mr. Falconer displayed the greatest gallantry in rendering these services; but he was so injured that he subsequently succumbed in hospital.

31348 - 20 MAY 1919

Admiralty, 20th May, 1919.

The KING (is) pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal for gallantry in saving life at sea to:

Surgeon Lieutenant-Commander Edward Leicester Atkinson, D.S.O., R.N.

The account of the services, in respect of which this decoration has been conferred, is as follows:

On the 16th September, 1918, a serious explosion occurred amidships on board H.M.S. "Glatton" whilst lying in Dover Harbour. This was followed immediately by an outbreak of fire, the oil fuel burning furiously and spreading fore and aft. Efforts were made to extinguish the fire by means of salvage tugs. The foremost magazines were flooded, but it was found impossible to get to the after magazine flooding positions. The explosion and fire cut off the after part of the ship, killing, or seriously injuring all the Officers who were on board with one exception. The ship might have blown up at any moment.

At the time of the explosion Surgeon Lieut.-Commander Atkinson was at work in his cabin. The first explosion rendered him unconscious. Recovering shortly, he found the flat outside his cabin filled with dense smoke and fumes. He made his way to the quarter deck by means of the ladder in the Warrant Officers flat, the only one still intact. During this time he brought two unconscious men on to the upper deck, he himself being uninjured.

He returned to the flat, and was bringing a third man up, when a smaller explosion occurred whilst he was on the ladder. This explosion blinded him, and, at the same time, a piece of metal was driven into his left leg in such a manner that he was unable to move until he had himself extracted it. Placing the third man on the upper deck, he proceeded forward through the shelter deck. By feel, being totally unable to see, he here found two more unconscious men, both of whom he brought out.

He was found later on the upper deck in an almost unconscious condition, so wounded and burnt that his life was despaired of for some time.

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The KING (is) pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal for gallantry in saving life at sea to:

Lieutenant David Wainwright, R.N.

The account of the services in respect of which this decoration has been conferred is as follows:

On the 4th February, 1919, H.M.S. "Penarth" struck a mine and immediately began to sink. Lieutenant David Wainwright, taking command of the situation, at once superintended the manning and lowering of the starboard gig, and later the launching of the Carley floats. Hearing there was a stoker injured in one of the stokeholds, he called for volunteers to show him the way, and at once made his way forward. There was by now a heavy list on the ship, and it was apparent she would not remain afloat much longer, the upper deck on the starboard side being already awash. Lieutenant Wainwright made his way below unaided, and while he was in the stokehold the ship struck a second mine abaft of him. The forepart was blown off and sank, and he was forced to wait till the stokehold had filled before he could float to the surface up the escape.

He displayed the greatest gallantry and disregard of his own personal safety in going below at a time when the ship was liable to sink at any moment.

31352 - 23 MAY 1919

Board of Trade, Whitehall .Gardens, 23rd May, 1919.

The KING (is) pleased to make a posthumous award of the Decoration of the Albert Medal in recognition of the gallantry of Hugh Brown, Boatswain of the steamship "Orissa," of Liverpool.

On the 25th June, 1918, the ship was torpedoed and sunk in the North Atlantic Ocean, six lives being lost.

The explosion took place about twenty feet from the store-room, where some members of the crew, including Brown and his son, who was the Steward's Boy, were receiving their tobacco issue. The store-room was immediately flooded, but the Boatswain and his son were able to fight their way to the stairway leading to the weather deck, the bottom stairs of which were blown away.

The boy managed to reach the weather deck, but Brown then heard the Storekeeper, who was still in the flooded store-room, calling for help. As soon, therefore, as he had been assured of his son's safety, Brown wished the lad farewell, and, though he could probably have saved himself together with his son, turned back in the hope of assisting the Storekeeper. The water was continually rising, and Brown must have been aware that he had very little chance of being able to win his way to the deck a second time.

The ship sank not long after, and neither the Boatswain nor the Storekeeper was seen again.  

1920

31821 - 12 MARCH 1920

Admiralty, S.W., 12th March, 1920.

The KING (is) pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal to Lieutenant-Commander Richard James Rodney Scott, R.N., for gallantry in endeavouring to save life at sea.

The following is the account of the services in respect of which the decoration has been conferred: 

On the 15th July, 1919, during minesweeping operations in the Baltic, four mines were swept up which H.M.S. "Myrtle," commanded by Lieutenant-Commander Scott, and another vessel were ordered to sink. During the operations the two vessels were mined, and H.M.S. "Myrtle" immediately began to sink. So great was the force of the explosion that all hands in the engine room and after boiler room of the ship were killed with one exception, and many others of the crew were wounded. After the wounded had been successfully transferred to another vessel, the forepart of H.M.S. "Myrtle" broke away and sank. Lieutenant-Commander Scott, hearing that the fate of one of the crew of the "Myrtle" had not been definitely ascertained, gallantly returned alone to what was left of the ship, which was drifting through the minefield, rolling heavily and burning fiercely, and regardless of the extreme risk which he ran, made a thorough search for the missing man, unfortunately without success.

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The KING (is) pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal to Lieutenant Edmund Geoffrey Abbott, R.N., for gallantry in saving life at sea.

The following is an account, of the services in respect of which the decoration has been conferred: 

On the 5th August, 1919, an explosion occurred on board the ex-German battleship "Baden," whilst in dry dock at Invergordon. Lieutenant Abbott immediately proceeded down the hatch to the main deck and saw that smoke was coming from the ladder way tunnel leading down to the shaft passage and after room containing the cooling plant. Other measures proving ineffectual, he proceeded to the corresponding tunnel on the starboard side, to see whether it was possible to get below and work up to the scene of the explosion from that side. The starboard tunnel was practically clear of smoke, so he proceeded to the upper deck, collected a party, and descended again through the tunnel to the room containing the cooling plant. He made his way to the port side and found a dockyard workman lying unconscious. Assisted by the party which had accompanied him, Lieutenant Abbott got the body to the upper deck, but life was found to be extinct. Although greatly affected by the fumes, Lieutenant Abbott called for further volunteers and again proceeded to the rescue of a second man whose groans had been heard, and succeeded in removing him out of danger. Throughout the proceedings this officer showed an utter disregard for his own safety, and, in spite of the great difficulty occasioned by the absence of light, was the undoubted means of saving the second man's life.

31879 - 27 APRIL 1920

Admiralty, S.W., 21st April, 1920.

The KING (is) pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal to

Mate Henry Buckle, R.N.,

Stoker Petty Officer Albert Victor Bailey, O.N. K.6117 (Dev.),

for gallantry in endeavouring to save life at sea. The following is the account of the services in respect of which the decorations have been conferred: 

While H.M.S. ''Tiger'' was undergoing repairs at Invergordon, on the 27th August, 1919, two dockyard fitters and an able seaman were overcome by noxious gas in the hold of the ship, and Stoker Petty Officer Bailey, accompanied by a sick berth attendant, made an unsuccessful attempt at rescue. Both he and his companion had put on respirators, but found them useless. Mr. Buckle, the officer of the watch, then arrived on the scene, and in spite of the grave risk to life, which it was now evident would be incurred by further attempts at rescue, immediately went down and succeeded in passing a rope round one of the men. This man was got out, but Mr. Buckle was considerably affected by the gas, and could do nothing further. Stoker Petty Officer Bailey, though suffering from the effects of his previous attempts, repeated the operation, and succeeded in getting the other two men out, but all efforts to restore them were futile.

32074 - 5 OCTOBER 1920

Admiralty, S.W., 5th October, 1920.

The KING (is) pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal to Mr. Harry Smith, Commissioned Engineer, R.N., for gallantry in saving life at sea.

The following is the account of the services in respect of which the decoration has been conferred: 

On the 13th May last (1920), while H.M. Torpedo Boat Destroyer "Rob Roy" was proceeding at utmost speed on a full-power trial, a fire broke out in the forward boiler-room. With entire disregard of his own safety, Mr. Smith immediately went below to search for the two ratings who were still there, and to shut off the boilers under extreme difficulties owing to the heat, escaping steam and water, well knowing in doing so the danger he ran from the burning oil fuel and the unconsumed gases accentuated by the confined and congested space of a destroyer's boiler-room. Owing to his prompt action and presence of mind, Mr. Smith localised the damage and saved the lives of all who were below.