LIFE SAVING AWARDS 1348
A Lloyd’s Medal for Saving Life at Sea group of nine awarded to Commander G. A. M. V. Harrison, Royal Navy, for his gallantry in rescuing nine members of the crew of the Japanese steamer Ryujin Maru, which was wrecked in heavy seas off Foochow on 4 November 1931; he was subsequently given the command of the Patrol Vessel H.M.S. Kingfisher, and was Mentioned in Despatches for his role in the Evacuation of Dunkirk, completing 5 round trips in 4 days
BRITISHWAR AND VICTORYMEDALS (Lieut. G. A. M. V. Harrison. R.N.); 1939-45 STAR; ATLANTIC STAR; BURMA STAR;DEFENCE ANDWAR MEDALS 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; CORONATION 1937; LLOYD’S MEDAL FOR SAVING LIFE AT SEA, 2nd small type, silver (Lt. Commander George A. M. Vaughan Harrison, R.N., S.S. “Ryujin Maru” 4th. November 1931.) generally very fine and better (9)
£400-500 M.I.D. London Gazette 16 August 1940: ‘For good service in the withdrawal of the Allied Armies from the beaches at Dunkirk.’
The Recommendation states: ‘In 4 days H.M.S. Kingfisher, under the command of Lieutenant Commander G. A. M. V. Harrison, R.N., completed 5 round trips to Dunkirk and the beaches, notable for the quick turn rounds effected at the Home Ports, thus enabling the maximum time to be spent on evacuation duties. Lieutenant-Commander Harrison displayed determination and good judgment in taking an important part in this operation, with conspicuous success. He handled his ship under air bombardment and when cut down in Dunkirk Harbour by a French trawler.’
George Anthony Mayhew Vaughan Harrison was commissioned Midshipman on 15 September 1913, and served during the Great War in the Battleship H.M.S. Thunderer. He was promoted Lieutenant on 15 November 1917, and Lieutenant-Commander on 15 November 1925. Appointed to the Aircraft Carrier H.M.S. Hermes on 30 September 1930, he was awarded his Lloyd’s Medal for Saving Life at Sea, when, on 4 November 1931, he was among those crew members who undertook a hazardous boat trip in heavy seas to collect survivors from the Japanese steamer Ryujin Maru which was wrecked on the Tan Rocks near Foochow - nine men were plucked to safety; three officers received the Silver Medal, and six ratings the Bronze Medal. The official Admiralty report on the incident states: ‘The prompt and unpanicking obedience to orders on the part of the crew of the cutter is the only reason that the cutter returned in heavy seas with nine Japanese survivors. All the crew are to be commended, especially Lieutenant-Commander Harrison, who sailed the cutter on both trips. He displayed the absolute maximum of efficiency in handling the boat during the whole period. He never shouted, yet he never had to repeat an order, and during the second trip, when the boat was full of water and becoming unmanageable, his handling of her was magnificent.’
Harrison was given command of the Patrol Vessel H.M.S. Kingfisher on 7 January 1939, and served in her during the Second World War in Operation Dynamo, the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk, for which he was Mentioned in Despatches. He transferred to the Retired List on 3 April 1941, and was granted the rank of Commander. He died on 17 June 1978.
1349
LLOYD’SMEDAL FORMERITORIOUS SERVICES, 1st type, bronze star, reverse contemporarily engraved ‘John Lee’, nearly extremely fine
£100-140
John Lee was the steward in the barque Trafalgar who, together with Apprentice 3rd Engineer Mr. William Shotton and Sailmaker Hugh Kennedy was awarded the Lloyd’s Medal for Meritorious Service on 7 February 1894 ‘for their extraordinary exertions in navigating their vessel to Melbourne in December 1893 after the death of the senior officers and part of the crew.’
The Trafalgar, a 4-masted barque on 1,696 tons, was despatched in the beginning of 1893 from Cardiff to Rio de Janeiro, and thence to New York and then on to Batavia, reaching the latter port in September. An outbreak of Java Fever was occurring at Batavia at the time and the Master refused to allow the crew to go ashore. However, he was the first to succumb to it. Whilst being buried ashore, several members of the ship, who attended the funeral, also took sick. As there was little likelihood of their recovery whilst the ship was moored at Batavia, the Chief Officer (now acting Master) decided to put to sea and make for Australia.
The voyage began on 29 October 1893. Soon after, one of the seamen took ill and, despite, the efforts of the steward, John Lee, and the deck officers, died on 9 November. Neck, the Chief Officer (acting Master) and the Third Officer (now acting Second Officer and responsible for navigation) became ill. On 15 November the former died, as did also the ship’s carpenter. The position was now critical. The operation of working the ship now rested entirely upon Mr. Shotton, aged 18. He had only recently completed his term of indentured service, but had originally been selected for the post on account of his knowledge of navigation. He took over the navigation and operation of the ship temporarily, pending the recovery of the (acting) Second Officer, but the latter died on 21 November and apart from him, the sailmaker, Hugh Kennedy, was the only person on board who had any idea of the duties of a supernumerary officer or the confidence to undertake the guidance of the ship whilst Mr. Shotton snatched a few hours’ sleep. The last fatality on board was the cook, who died on 7 December, and presumably John Lee took over his duties as well as his own. They passed Cape Leuwin, on the southwest corner of Australia with light to fresh variable winds and were hoping for a speedy arrival at Melbourne, but a gale sprang up forcing them to run before it and losing some of their sails in the process, but arrived at their destination in darkness on 15 December. The Port Officer boarded the Trafalgar, and, having examined the crew, was satisfied that there was no danger of infection.
At a subsequent meeting of the Melbourne Marine board the story of the Trafalgar was noted. The members regretted that finances did not permit the presentation of a piece of plate to Mr. Shotton. However, the Minister of Customs later presented him with a gold watch and Hugh Kennedy with a silver one. There does not appear to have been any recognition of John Lee’s efforts, or perhaps there were no bronze watches available.
Sold with copied research and various copied newspaper articles about the incident.
www.dnw.co.uk
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