by TYPE OF ACTION and THEATRE

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by RECIPIENTS

1940

 8th April - Lt Cdr Gerard ROOPE RN, CO HMS Glowworm (right), lost in sinking of ship in action with German heavy cruiser 'Admiral Hipper' off Trondheim. Posthumous award.

The London Gazette, Tuesday 10 July, 1945 - (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS for valour to:‑

The late Lieutenant-Commander Gerard Broadmead Roope Royal Navy.

On the 8th April, 1940, H.M.S. Glowworm was proceeding alone in heavy weather towards a rendezvous in West Fjord, when she met and engaged two enemy destroyers, scoring at least one bit on them. The enemy broke off the action and headed North, to lead the Glowworm on to his sup­porting forces. The Commanding Officer, whilst correctly appreciating the intentions of the enemy, at once gave chase. The German heavy cruiser, Admiral Hipper, was sighted closing the Glowworm at high speed and an enemy report was sent which was received by H.M.S. Renown. Because of the heavy sea, the Glowworm could not shadow the enemy and the Commanding Officer therefore decided to attack with torpedoes and then to close in order to inflict as much damage as possible. Five torpedoes were fired and later the remaining five, but without success. The Glowworm was badly hit; one gun was out of action and her speed was much reduced, but with the other three guns still firing she closed and rammed the Admiral Hipper. As the Glowworm drew away, she opened fire again and scored one hit at a range of 400 yards. The Glowworm, badly stove in forward and riddled with enemy fire, heeled over to starboard, and the Commanding Officer gave the order to abandon her. Shortly afterwards she capsized and sank. The Admiral Hipper hove to for at least an hour picking up survivors but the loss of life was heavy, only 31 out of the Glowworm's complement of 149 being saved.

Full information concerning this action has only recently been received and the VICTORIA CROSS is bestowed in recognition of the great valour of the Commanding Officer who, after fighting off a superior force of destroyers, sought out and reported a power­ful enemy unit, and then fought his ship to the end against overwhelming odds, finally ramming the enemy with supreme coolness

10th April - Capt Bernard WARBURTON-LEE RN, 2nd Destroyer Flotilla, lost in sinking of HMS Hardy during First Battle of Narvik. Posthumous award.

The London Gazette, Friday 7 June, 1940 - (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has, been graciously pleased to approve the grant of the VICTORIA CROSS to the late

Captain Bernard Armitage Warburton Warburton‑Lee, Royal Navy. Captain (D), 2nd Destroyer Flotilla, H.M.S. Hardy,

for gallantry, enterprise and daring in command of the Force engaged in the first Battle of Narvik, on the 10h of April, 1940. On being ordered to carry out an attack on Narvik, he learned from Tranoy that the enemy held the place in much greater force than had been thought. He signalled to the Admiralty that the enemy were reported to be holding Narvik in force, that six Destroyers and one Submarine were there, that the channel might be mined, and that he intended to attack at dawn, high water. The Admiralty replied that two Norwegian Coast Defence Ships might be in German hands, that he alone could judge whether to attack, and that whatever decision he made would have full support. Captain

Warburton‑Lee gave out the plan for his attack and led his Flotilla of five Destroyers up the Fjord in heavy snowstorms, arriving off Narvik just after daybreak. He took the enemy completely by surprise and made three successful attacks on warships and merchantmen in the harbour. The last attack was made only after anxious debate. On the Flotilla withdrawing, five enemy Destroys of superior gun‑power were encountered and engaged. The Captain was mortally wounded by a shell which hit “Hardy's” bridge. His last signal was “Continue to engage the enemy."

28th April-2nd May - Lt Cdr Richard STANNARD RNR, CO HMT Arab, 15th Anti-Submarine Striking Force. Awarded Victoria Cross for gallantry under air attack during operations off Namsos.

The London Gazette, Friday 16 August, 1940 - (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the grant of the VICTORIA CROSS to

Lieutenant Richard Been Stannard, R.N.R., H.M.S. Arab, for outstanding valour and signal devotion to duty at Namsos.

When enemy bombing attacks had set on fire many tons of hand grenades on Namsos wharf, with no shore water supply available, Lieutenant Stannard ran Arab's bows against the wharf and held her there. Sending all but two of his crew aft, he then endeavoured for two hours to extin­guish the fire with hoses from the forecastle. He persisted in this work till the attempt had to be given up as hopeless.

After helping other ships against air attacks, he placed his own damaged vessel under shelter of a cliff, landed his crew and those of two other trawlers, and established an armed camp. Here those off duty could rest while he attacked enemy aircraft which approached by day, and kept anti‑submarine watch during the night.

When another trawler near‑by was hit and set on fire by a bomb, he, with two others, boarded Arab and moved her 100 yards before the other vessel blew up.

Finally, when leaving the fjord, he was attacked by a German bomber which ordered him to steer East or be sunk. He held on his course, reserved his fire till the enemy was within 800 yards, and then brought the aircraft down.

Throughout a period of five days Arab was subjected to 31 bombing attacks and the camp and Lewis gun positions ashore were repeatedly machine‑gunned and bombed; yet the defensive position was so well planned that only one man was wounded.

Lieutenant Stannard ultimately brought his damaged ship back to an English port.

His continuous gallantry in the presence of the enemy was magnificent, and his enterprise and resource not only caused losses to the Germans but saved his ship and many lives.

4th July - Leading Seaman Jack MANTLE, gunner, auxiliary AA ship 'Foyle Bank', anchored in Portland Harbour and heavily attacked and sunk by Ju.87 divebombers. Continued in action although mortally wounded. Posthumous award.

The London Gazette, Tuesday 3 September, 1940 - (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the Grant of the VICTORIA CROSS, for valour in action against the enemy, to the late

Acting Leading Seaman Jack Foreman Mantle, P/JX.139070, H.M.S. Foylebank (right sinking - courtesy Eddie Palmer).

Leading Seaman Jack Mantle was in charge of the Starboard pom‑pom when FOYLEBANK was attacked by enemy aircraft on the 4th of July, 1940. Early in the action his left leg was shattered by a bomb, but he stood fast at his gun and went on firing with hand-gear only; for the ship's electric power had failed. Almost at once he was wounded again in many places. Between his bursts of fire he had time to reflect on the grievous injuries of which he was soon to die; but his great courage bore him up till the end of the fight, when he fell by the gun he had so valiantly serve.

5th November - Capt Edward FEGEN RN, CO armed merchant cruiser 'Jervis Bay', escorting Halifax/UK convoy HX84. Attacked by German pocket battleship 'Admiral Scheer' in mid-Atlantic. Counter-attacked in defence of the convoy and went down with ship. Posthumous award.

The London Gazette, Friday, 22 November, 1940 - (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to the late Commander (acting Captain) Edward Stephen Fogarty Fegen, Royal Navy.

for valour in challenging hopeless odd and giving his life to save the many ships it was his duty to protect.

On the 5th of November, 1940, in heavy seas, Captain Fegen, in His Majesty’s Armed Merchant Cruiser Jervis Bay, was escorting thirty‑eight Merchantmen. Sighting a powerful German warship he at once drew clear of the Convoy, made straight for the Enemy, and brought his ship between the Raider and her prey, so that they might scatter and escape. Crippled, in flames, unable to reply, for nearly an hour the Jervis Bay held the German's fire. So she went down: but of the Merchantmen all but four or five were saved.

1941

6th April - Flying Officer Kenneth CAMPBELL RAFVR, Canadian pilot of a Beaufort of 22 Sqn, RAF Coastal Command, torpedoed and badly damaged battlecruiser 'Gneisenau' in Brest before being shot down. Posthumous award.

The London Gazette, Friday 13 March 1942 - (From the Air Ministry)

ROYAL AIR FORCE,

The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the VICTORIA CROSS on the under­mentioned officer in recognition of most con­spicuous bravery:

Flying Officer Kenneth CAMPBELL (72446), Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (de­ceased), No. 22 Squadron.

This officer was the pilot of a Beaufort aircraft of Coastal Command which was detailed to attack an enemy battle cruiser in Brest Harbour at first light on the morning of 6th April, 1941. The aircraft did not return but it is now known that a torpedo attack was carried out with the utmost daring.

The battle cruiser was secured alongside the wall on the north shore of the harbour, protected by a stone mole bending round it from the west. On rising ground behind the ship stood protective batteries of guns. Other batteries were clustered thickly round the two arms of land which encircle the outer harbour. In this outer harbour near the mole were moored three heavily‑armed anti­aircraft ships, guarding the battle cruiser. Even if an aircraft succeeded in penetrating these formidable defences, it would be almost impossible, after delivering a low­level attack to avoid crashing into the rising ground beyond.

This was well known to Flying Officer Campbell who, despising the heavy odds, went cheerfully and resolutely to the task. He ran the gauntlet of the defences. Coming in almost at sea level, he passed the anti­aircraft ships at less than mast‑height in the very mouths of their guns, and skimming over the mole launched a torpedo at point-­blank range. The battle cruiser was severely damaged below the water‑line and was obliged to return to the dock whence she had come only the day before.

By pressing home his attack at close quarters in the face of a withering fire on a course fraught with extreme peril, Flying Officer Campbell displayed valour of the highest order.

18th May - Petty Officer Alfred SEPHTON, AA cruiser 'Coventry' continued to carry out his duties in the director although mortally wounded during heavy air attacks south of Crete. Posthumous award.

The London Gazette, Tuesday, 2 December, 1941 - (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the grant of the VICTORIA CROSS, for valour and fortitude in action against the Enemy on 18th May, 1941, to:

The late Petty Officer Alfred Edward Sephton, F/JX.130821, H.M.S. Coventry.

Petty Officer Sephton was Director Layer when H.M.S. Coventry was attacked by air­craft, whose fire grievously wounded him. In mortal pain and faint from loss of blood he stood fast doing his duty without fault until the Enemy was driven off. Thereafter until his death his valiant and cheerful spirit gave heart to the wounded. His high example inspired his shipmates and will live in their memory.

24th May - Lt Cdr Malcolm WANKLYN RN, CO HMS/M Upholder attacked a strongly escorted troop convoy off Sicily and sank the 18,000-ton liner 'Conte Rosso'. For this and other successful patrols he was awarded the Victoria Cross. Lt Cdr Wanklyn was lost in the sinking of Upholder in April 1942.

The London Gazette, Tuesday 16 December, 1941 - (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the grant of the VICTORIA CROSS for valour and resolution in command of His Majesty's Submarine Upholder, to:

Lieutenant‑Commander Malcolm David Wanklyn, D.S.O., Royal Navy.

On the evening of the 24th of May, 1941, while on patrol off the coast of Sicily, Lieutenant‑Commander Wanklyn in command of His Majesty's Submarine Upholder, sighted a south‑bound enemy troop‑convoy, strongly escorted by Destroyers.

The failing light was such that observation by periscope could not be relied on but a surface attack would have been easily seen. Upholder's listening gear was out of action.

In spite of these severe handicaps Lieutenant‑Commander Wanklyn decided to press home his attack at short range. He quickly steered his craft into a favour­able position and closed in so as to make sure of his target. By this time the whereabouts of the escorting Destroyers could not be made out. Lieutenant‑Commander Wanklyn, while fully aware of the risk of being rammed by one of the escort, continued to press on towards the enemy troop‑ships. As he was about to fire, one of the enemy Destroyers appeared out of the darkness at high speed and he only just avoided being rammed. As soon as he was clear, he brought his periscope sights on and fired torpedoes, which sank a large troop‑ship. The enemy Destroyers at once made a strong counter­attack and during the next twenty minutes dropped thirty‑seven depth‑charges near Upholder.

The failure of his listening devices made it much harder for him to get away, but with the greatest courage, coolness and skill he brought Upholder clear of the enemy and safe back to harbour.

Before this outstanding attack, and since being appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order, Lieutenant‑Commander Wanklyn had torpedoed a tanker and a merchant vessel.

He has continued to show the utmost bravery in the presence of the enemy. He has carried out his attacks on enemy vessels with skill and relentless determination, and has also sunk one Destroyer, one U‑boat, two troop‑transports of 19,500 tons each, one tanker and three supply ships. He has besides probably destroyed by torpedoes one Cruiser and one Destroyer, and possibly hit another Cruiser.

1942

12th February - Lt Cdr Eugene ESMOND RN, CO No 825 Sqn FAA attacked heavily defended German battlecruisers 'Scharnhorst' and 'Gneisenau' in the Straits of Dover. No hits were made and all six Swordfish were shot down. Posthumous award.

The London Gazette, Tuesday, 7 June, 1941 - (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the grant of the VICTORIA CROSS, for valour and resolution in action against the Enemy, to:

The late Lieutenant‑Commander (A) Eugene Esmonde, D.S.O., Royal Navy.

On the morning of Thursday, 12th February, 1942, Lieutenant‑Commander Esmonde, in command of a Squadron of the Fleet Air Arm. was told that the German Battle‑Cruisers SCHARNHORST and GNEISENAU and the Cruiser PRINZ EUGEN, strongly escorted by some thirty surface craft were entering the Straits of Dover, and that his Squadron must attack before they reached the sand‑banks North East of Calais.

Lieutenant‑Commander Esmonde knew well that his enterprise was desperate. Soon after noon he and his squadron of six Swordfish set course for the Enemy and after ten minutes flight were attacked by a strong force of Enemy fighters. Touch was lost with his fighter escort, and in the action which followed all his aircraft were damaged. He flew on, cool and resolute, serenely challenging hopeless odds, to encounter the deadly fire of the Battle-Cruisers and their Escort, which shattered the port wing of his aircraft. Undismayed, he led his Squadron on, straight through this inferno of fire, in steady flight towards their target. Almost at once he was shot down; but his Squadron went on to launch a gallant attack, in which at least one torpedo is believed to have struck the German Battle‑Cruisers, and from which not one of the six aircraft returned.

His high courage and splendid resolution will live in the traditions of the Royal Navy, and remain for many generations, a fine and stirring Memory.

14th February - Lt Thomas WILKINSON RNR, CO auxiliary patrol ship 'Li Wo' escaping from Singapore, attacked a troop convoy to the south and sunk by Japanese cruiser. Posthumous award

The London Gazette, Tuesday, 17 December, 1946 - (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to:

The late Temporary Lieutenant Thomas Wilkinson, Royal Naval Reserve.

On 14th February, 1942, H.M. Ship Li Wo, a patrol vessel of 1,000 tons, formerly a passenger steamer on the Upper Yangtse River, was on, passage from Singapore to Batavia. Her ship's company consisted of eighty‑four officers and men, including one civilian; they were mainly survivors from His Majesty's Ships which had been sunk, and few from units of the Army and the Royal Air Force. Her armament was one 4 inch gun, for which she had only thirteen practice shells, and two machine guns.

Since leaving Singapore the previous day, the ship had beaten off four air attacks, in one of which fifty‑two machines took part and had suffered considerable damage. Late in the afternoon, she sighted two enemy con­voys, the larger of which was escorted by Japanese naval units, including a heavy cruiser and some destroyers. The Com­manding Officer, Lieutenant T. Wilkinson, R.N.R., gathered his scratch ship's company together and told them that, rather than try to escape, he had decided to engage the convoy and to fight to the last, in the hope that he might inflict damage upon the enemy. In making this decision, which drew resolute support from the whole ship's company, Lieutenant Wilkinson knew that his ship faced certain destruction, and that his own chances of survival were small.

H.M.S. Li Wo hoisted her battle ensign and made straight for the enemy. In the action which followed, the machine gun's were used with effect upon the crews of all ships in range, and a volunteer gun's crew manned the 4 inch gun, which they fought with such purpose that a Japanese transport was badly hit and set on fire.

After a little over an hour, H.M.S, Li Wo had been critically damaged and was sinking. Lieutenant Wilkinson then decided to ram his principal target, the large transport, which had been abandoned by her crew. It is known that this ship burnt fiercely through­out the night following the action, and was probably sank.

H.M.S. Li Wo's gallant fight ended when, her shells spent, and under heavy fire from the enemy cruiser, Lieutenant Wilkinson finally ordered abandon ship. He himself remained on board, and went down with her. There were only about ten survivors, who were later made prisoners of war.

Lieutenant Wilkinson's valour was equalled only by the skill with which he fought his ship, The VICTORIA CROSS is bestowed upon him posthumousIy in recognition both of his own heroism and self‑sacrifice, and of that of all who fought and died with him.

16th February - Lt Peter ROBERTS RN and Petty Officer Thomas GOULD, HM S/M Thresher removed two unexploded bombs lodged between the casing and hull off northern Crete and in spite of the likelihood of them drowning if she had to submerge. Both men were awarded the Victoria Cross

Supplement to the London Gazette, 9 June, 1942 - (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS fro great valour while serving in H.M.S. Thrasher, to:

Lieutenant Peter Scawen Watkinson Roberts, Royal Navy.

Petty Officer Thomas William Gould, C/JX.­147945.

On February 16th, in daylight, H.M. Submarine Thrasher attacked and sank a heavily escorted supply ship. She was at once attacked by depth charges and was bombed by aircraft. The presence of two unexploded bombs in the gun‑easing was discovered when after dark the submarine surfaced and began to roll.

Lieutenant Roberts and Petty Officer Gould volunteered to remove the bombs, which were of a type unknown to them. The danger in dealing with the second bomb was very great. To reach it they had to go trough the casing which was so low they had to lie at full length to move in it. Through this narrow space, in complete darkness, they pushed and dragged the bomb for a distance of some 20 feet until it could be lowered over the side. Every time the bomb was moved there was a loud twanging noise as of a broken spring which added nothing to their peace of mind. This deed was the more gallant as H.M.S. Thrasher's presence was known to the enemy; she was close to the enemy coast, and in waters where his patrols were known to be active day and night. There was a very great chance, and they knew it, that the submarine might have to crash‑dive while they were in the casing. Had this happened they must have been drowned.

4th March - Cdr Anthony MIERS RN, CO HM S/M Torbay carried out a difficult attack on shipping off Corfu and torpedoed two merchantmen. For this and a number of other successful patrols, he was awarded the Victoria Cross.

The London Gazette, Tuesday 7 July, 1942 - (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to:

Commander Anthony Cecil Capel Miers, D.S.O., Royal Navy.

For valour in command of H.M. Submarine Torbay in a daring and successful raid on shipping in a defended enemy harbour, planned with full knowledge of the great hazards to be expected during seventeen hours in waters closely patrolled by the enemy. On arriving in the harbour he had to charge his batteries lying on the surface in full moon­light under the guns of the enemy. As he could not see his target he waited several hours and attacked in full daylight in a glassy calm. When he had fired his torpedoes he was heavily counter‑attacked and had to with­draw through a long channel with anti‑submarine craft all round and continuous air patrols overhead.

28th March - Cdr Robert RYDER RN, Commander, Naval Forces, Lt Cdr Stephen BEATTIE RN, CO HMS Campbeltown, and Able Seaman William SAVAGE, gunner on MGB.314 all took part in the successful raid on the heavily-defended port of St Nazaire to put the Normandie dry-dock out of action. All three were awarded the Victoria Cross, posthumously in the case of AB Savage.

The London Gazette, Thursday 21 May, 1942 - (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS for daring and valour in the attack on the German Naval Base at St. Nazaire, to:

 Commander Robert Edward Dudley Ryder, Royal Navy.

For great gallantry in the attack on St. Nazaire. He commanded a force of small unprotected ships in an attack on a heavily defended port and led H.M.S. Campbeltown in under intense fire from short range weapons at point blank range. Though the main object of the expedition had been accomplished in the beaching of Campbeltown, he remained on the spot conducting operations, evacuating men from Campbeltown and dealing with strong points and close range weapons while exposed to heavy fire for one hour and sixteen minutes, and did not withdraw till it was certain that his ship could be of no use in rescuing any of the Commando Troops who were still ashore. That his Motor Gun Boat, now full of dead and wounded, should have survived and should have been able to withdraw through an intense barrage of close range fire was almost a miracle.

 Lieutenant‑Commander Stephen Halden Beattie, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Campbeltown.

For great gallantry and determination in the attack on St. Nazaire in command of H.M.S. Campbeltown. Under intense fire directed at the bridge from point blank range of about 100 yards, and in the face of the blinding glare of many searchlights, he steamed her into the lock‑gates and beached and scuttled her in the correct position.This Victoria Cross is awarded to Lieutenant-Commander Beattie in recognition not only of his own valour but also of that of the unnamed officers and men of a very gallant ship's company, many of whom have not returned.

 Able Seaman William Alfred Savage, C/JX. 173910.

For great gallantry, skill and devotion to duty as gunlayer of the pom‑pom in a motor gun boat in the St. Nazaire raid. Completely exposed, and under heavy fire he engaged positions ashore with cool and steady accuracy. On the way, out of the harbour be kept up the same vigorous and accurate fire against the attacking ships, until he was killed at his gun. This Victoria Cross is awarded in recogni­tion not only of the gallantry and devotion to duty of Able Seaman Savage, but also of the valour shown by many others, unnamed, in Motor Launches, Motor Gun Boats and Motor Torpedo Boats, who gallantly carried out their duty in entirely exposed positions against Enemy fire at very close range.

8th November - Capt Frederick PETERS RN, CO ex-US Coast Guard cutter 'Walney' smashed through the harbour boom at Oran and landed troops together with sister ship 'Hartland'. Both ships were disabled and later sank. Capt Peters was awarded the Victoria Cross but died five days later in an aircraft accident.

The London Gazette, Tuesday, 18 May, 1943 - (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS to:

the late Acting Captain Frederick Thornton Peters, D.S.O., D.S.C., Royal Navy,

for valour in taking H.M.S. Walney, in an enterprise of desperate hazard, into the harbour of Oran on the 8th November, 1942. Captain Peters led his force through the boom towards the jetty in the face of point‑blank fire from shore batteries, a Destroyer and a Cruiser. Blinded in one eye, he alone of the seventeen Officers and Men on the bridge survived. The Walney reached the jetty disabled and ablaze, and went down with her colours flying,

31st December - Capt Rupert St V SHERBROOKE RN, Escort Commander Russian Convoy JW51B fought off attack by German heavy cruiser Hipper during the Battle of the Barents Sea and was badly wounded on board HMS Onslow.

The London Gazette, Tuesday 12 January, 1943 - (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS, for valour in the defence of a convoy, to:

Captain Robert St. Vincent Sherbrooke, D.S.O., Royal Navy.

Captain Sherbrooke, in H.M.S Onslow (right - courtesy NavyPhotos and Mike Pocock), was the Senior Officer in command of the destroyers escorting an important convoy bound for North Russia. On the morning of 31st December, off the North Cape, he made contact with a greatly superior enemy force which was attempting to destroy the convoy. Captain Sherbrooke led his destroyers into attack and closed the Enemy. Four times the Enemy tried to attack the convoy, but was forced each time to withdraw behind a smoke screen to avoid the threat of torpedoes, and each time Captain Sherbrooke pursued him and drove him outside gun range of the convoy and towards our covering forces. These engagements lasted about two hours, but after the first forty minutes H.M.S. Onslow was hit, and Captain Sherbrooke was seriously wounded in the face and temporarily lost the use of one eye. Nevertheless he continued to direct the ships under his command until further hits on his own ship compelled him disengage, but not until he was satisfied that the next Senior Officer had assumed control. It was only then that he agreed to leave the bridge for medical attention, and until the convoy was out of danger he insisted on receiving all reports of the action.

His courage, his fortitude and his cool and prompt decisions inspired all around him. By his leadership and example the convoy was saved from damage and was brought safely to its destination.

1943

12th March - Cdr John LINTON RN, CO HM S/M Turbulent was presumed lost to escorting Italian MAS (MTBs) while attacking an escorted ship off Sardinia. Posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross for his record as commanding officer

The London Gazette, Tuesday, 25 May, 1943 - (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTORIA CROSS for valour in command of H.M. Submarines to:

Commander John Wallace Linton, D.S.O., D.S.C., Royal Navy.

From the outbreak of War until H.M.S. Turbulent's last patrol Commander Linton was constantly in command of submarines, and during that time inflicted great damage on the Enemy. He sank one Cruiser, one Destroyer, one U‑boat, twenty‑eight Supply Ships, some 100,000 tons in all, and destroyed three trains by gun‑fire. In his last year he spent two hundred and fifty‑four days at sea, submerged for nearly half the time, and his ship was hunted thirteen times and had two hundred and fifty depth charges aimed at her. .

His many and brilliant successes were due to his constant activity and skill, and the daring which never failed him when there was an Enemy to be attacked.

On one occasion, for instance, in H.M.S. Turbulent, he sighted a convoy of two Merchantmen and two Destroyers in mist and moonlight. He worked round ahead of the convoy and dived to attack it as it passed through the moon's rays. On bringing his sights to bear he found himself right ahead of a Destroyer. Yet he held his course till the Destroyer was almost on top of him, and when his sights came on the convoy, he fired. His great courage and determination were rewarded. He sank one Merchantman and one Destroyer outright, and set the other Merchantman on fire so that she blew up.

11th August - Pilot Officer Lloyd TRIGG RNZAF, pilot of a Liberator of 200 Squadron, RAF Coastal command sank U.468 off Dakar, his final attack with the aircraft in flames and crashing. He was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross solely on the evidence of the U-boat's survivors.

The London Gazette, Tuesday, 2 November, 1943 - (From the Air Ministry)

The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the VICTORIA CROSS on the under­mentioned officer in recognition of most con­spicuous bravery:

Flying Officer Lloyd Allan TRIGG, D.F.C. (N.Z.413515), Royal New Zealand Air Force (missing, believed killed), No. 200 Squadron.

Flying Officer Trigg had rendered out­standing service on convoy escort and anti­submarine duties. He had completed 46 operational sorties and had invariably dis­played skill and courage of a very high order.

One day in August, 1943, Flying Officer Trigg undertook, as captain and pilot, a patrol in a Liberator although he had not previously made any operational sorties in that type of aircraft. After searching for 8 hours a surfaced U‑boat was sighted.

Flying Officer Trigg immediately prepared to attack. During the approach, the aircraft received many hits from the submarine's anti‑aircraft guns and burst into flames, which quickly enveloped the tail.

The moment was critical. Flying Officer Trigg could have broken off the engagement and made a forced landing in the sea. But if he continued the attack, the aircraft would present a “no deflection" target to deadly accurate anti‑aircraft fire, and every second spent in the air would increase the extent and intensity of the flames and diminish his chances of survival.

There could have been no hesitation or doubt in his mind. He maintained his course in spite of the already precarious condition of his aircraft and executed a masterly attack. Skimming over the U‑boat at less than 50 feet with anti‑aircraft fire entering his opened bomb doors, Flying Officer Trigg dropped his bombs on and around the U‑boat where they exploded with devastating effect. A short distance further on the Liberator dived into the sea with her gallant captain and crew.

The U‑boat sank within 20 minutes and some of her crew were picked up later in a rubber dinghy that had broken loose from the Liberator.

The Battle of the Atlantic has yielded many fine stories of air attacks on under­water craft, but Flying Officer Trigg's exploit stands out as an epic of grim determination and high courage. His was the path of duty that leads to glory.

22nd September - Lt Donald CAMERON RNR, CO midget submarine X.6 and Lt Basil PLACE RN, CO of X.7 both successfully placed charges under German battleship 'Tirpitz' at anchor in Kaafiord off Altenfiord, putting her out of action for 6 months. Both men were taken prisoner.

The London Gazette, Tuesday, 22 February, 1944 (From the ADMIRALTY, Whitehall, S.W.1)

The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the VICTOR1A CROSS for valour to:

Lieutenant Basil Charles Godfrey Place, D.S.C., Royal Navy.

Lieutenant Donald Cameron, R.N.R.