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Auction: 14003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 44

British Empire Medal, Civil Division, G.VI.R. (Robert Edward Summerton), good very fine

B.E.M. London gazette 11.5.1943 Robert Edward Summerton, Assistant Steward (in a joint citation with Captain Joseph Wilson and First Officer Andrew Charles Murray Black [both awarded the O.B.E.]; Junior Engineer Officer Samuel Baxter Allan [awarded the M.B.E.]; and Able Seaman Ephraim Addison, Assistant Steward Trevor Roach, and Quartermaster William James Shuckford [all awarded the B.E.M.])
'The ship was torpedoed and badly damaged. As she immediately began to sink by the head, orders were given to stand by the boats. Within ten minutes another torpedo hit the ship and abandonment was then ordered. Although the weather was very bad, with heavy seas, all on board got away safely. A nearby ship came to the assistance of the survivors, but rescue operations were exceedingly difficult. A number of the boats capsized and the occupants were thrown against the side of the rescuing ship. The First Officer was conspicuous throughout. He remained on board to the last, assisting in and directing operations. It was mainly due to his courageous leadership and example that the vessel was abandoned so efficiently. Quartermaster Shuckford was outstanding in his efforts in getting the boats, raits and floats away from the ship. He remained voluntarily with the First Officer and gave him great help. Captain Wilson was the master of the ship which went to the rescue of the survivors. In the worst possible conditions, over 100 persons were picked up from the boats, rafts and sea. But for the courage and exceptional seamanship displayed by Captain Wilson, there is no doubt that many more lives would have been lost. During the work of rescue, a number of exhausted men were thrown against the side of the rescuing ship and Mr. Allan volunteered to go to their assistance. He was lowered over the ship's side and succeeded in saving the lives of two men. Later, he again went over the side and succeeded in rescuing a completely exhausted man from a waterlogged boat. Assistant Stewards Roach and Summerton did excellent work, being lowered over the side of the ship to assist survivors in the water. Both were in grave danger from the high seas which were continually crashing the boats and rafts against the sides of the rescuing vessel, but each managed to rescue a survivor. Good rescue work was also done by Addison, who descended into one of the boats alongside the rescuing ship and assisted the exhausted occupants on board.'

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Sold for
£260