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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 407

A poignant Second World War B.E.M. group of five awarded to Fireman W. C. Murdock, Merchant Navy

His time aboard the S.S. Sourabaya - in which he was decorated for his gallantry when she was torpedoed in the Atlantic by the U-436 in October 1942 - was captured on canvas in a series of paintings by the ship's Radio Officer, a fellow Scot and noted artist, George Plante (1914-1995)

Tragically, Murdoch was subsequently lost in the S.S. Empire Heritage when she was torpedoed by the U-482 off Malin Head on the Irish coast in September 1944

Some 50 years later, the wreckage of the Empire Heritage was discovered by divers, her cargo of Sherman tanks scattered over the seabed: the resultant - remarkable - footage of the wreck site continues to serve as a poignant reminder of the heavy loss sustained by those who served under the 'Red Duster'

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=powQ5rtcjdw

British Empire Medal, Civil Division, G.VI.R., 1st issue (William Christie Murdock); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, edge bruising to first, otherwise generally very fine (5)

B.E.M. London Gazette 25 May 1943. The joint recommendation states:

'The ship was torpedoed. The fires were at once shut off, the engines were stopped, and the machinery spaces vacated. After inspecting the damage, the Master decided that there was a chance of saving the ship. He ordered the passengers and the majority of the crew into the boats and called for volunteers to operate the necessary pumps.

Officers Tyson, MacKenzie and MacDonald with Firemen Murdock and Sandilands volunteered for this dangerous task. Returning below, they re-lit the furnaces and proceeded to pump out two of the cargo holds. They also worked the engines as required by the Master in his attempt to place the ship in a favourable weather position. Conditions made this impossible and it was decided to try and pump out another tank, but the leakage into the engine-room was more than could be dealt with and eventually the fires were put out by the rising water. It was only then, with 16 feet of water in the engine-room, that those below relinquished their efforts and the ship had to be finally abandoned.

The Master showed splendid courage, resource and leadership throughout. After getting away as many as possible of those on board, he made determined efforts to save his ship in circumstances of great difficulty and danger.'

William Christie Murdock was born in Kinross, Scotland, in August 1915 and was serving as a Fireman aboard the S.S. Cairnglen on the outbreak of hostilities in September 1939.

Loss of the S.S. Sourabaya

In April 1942, following further ship appointments, he joined the S.S. Sourabaya, an ex-whale factory ship converted for use as a tanker and supply ship. Fortuitously for posterity's sake, a fellow crew member, the Scottish artist George Plante (1914-1995), who had qualified as a Radio Officer in the Merchant Navy, captured some evocative scenes of both ship and crew, prior to her loss in October 1942.

At about 2300 hours on 27 October 1942, when on route from New York for Liverpool in Convoy HX-212 - carrying a cargo of 7,800 tons of fuel oil and 200 tons of war stores and landing craft as deck cargo - the Sourabaya was torpedoed by the U-436 - Kapitanleutnant Seibicke - S.E. of Cape Farewell.

Following a gallant attempt to save the ship - for which Murdock was awarded the B.E.M. - he, the Master, 36 crew, 24 passengers, 16 D.B.S. [Distressed British Seamen, themselves already survivors of the loss of a ship] and four gunners were picked up by H.M.C.S. Alberni and H.M.C.S. Ville de Quebec and landed at Liverpool on 2 November; tragically, 26 crew, 31 passengers, 16 D.B.S. and four gunners were picked up by the Bic Island, only to be lost when that ship was torpedoed and sunk by the U-224 on 29 October.

Less than a month later Murdock was back at sea in the Kaolack, followed by an appointment in the Empire Darwin. His next ship - the Empire Heritage - was to prove his last.

Loss of the "Empire Heritage"

On 8 September 1944, the Empire Heritage - on voyage in convoy HX-305 from New York to Liverpool and the Clyde with D.B.S. passengers, 16,000 tons of fuel oil and 1,900 tons of deck cargo including Sherman Tanks - was torpedoed by the U-482 off Malin Head, Ireland.

The Pinto stopped to undertake rescue operations but was herself torpedoed by the U-482. As a result, the Master, 49 crew members, eight gunners, one convoy signalman, one army storekeeper and 52 D.B.S. passengers from the Empire Heritage were lost, in addition to 18 from the Pinto.

Aged 29 years, Murdock left a widow, Margaret, who received her gallant husband's B.E.M. at a Buckingham Palace investiture held in July 1945.

Postscript

The Empire Heritage and her cargo lay silently beneath the waves until 1995 when she was rediscovered by divers …

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Sold for
£280

Starting price
£300