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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 332

A Second World War B.E.M. group of three awarded to Boatswain J. Gunn, Merchant Navy

A Shetland Islander and long-served seafarer, his skills as Boatswain were in much demand at the time of Operation "Torch", not least on the occasion his ship - the troopship Cameronia - was hit by a torpedo dropped by a Junkers 88 on 22 December 1942: it blew a 288 square ft. hole in her side and killed 17 of her crew

British Empire Medal, G.VI.R., Civil Division (James Gunn); British War Medal 1914-20 (James Gunn); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914 1918 (James Gunn), very fine (3)

James Gunn was born at Weathersta, Delting in the Shetlands on 22 June 1898, the son of Thomas Gunn, a crofter and fisherman.

Having served in the Mercantile Marine during the Great War, James remained similarly employed between the wars and, on the renewal of hostilities in September 1939, he was employed as a Boatswain by the Anchor Line. Moreover, given his subsequent award of the B.E.M., it is likely he was serving aboard the S.S. Cameronia.

The Cameronia made a dozen unescorted trips from Glasgow to New York in the period leading up to December 1940, when she was requisitioned as a troopship. Thereafter, she undertook several voyages to Sierra Leone and Cape Town, prior to assisting at the evacuation of Crete in May 1941.

But it was during her part in Operation "Torch" that she witnessed action of a memorable kind, being hit by a torpedo delivered by a Ju. 88 of KG 26 off Algiers on 22 December 1942. The resultant explosion killed 17 men and blew a massive hole in the ship's starboard side. A glimpse of those events is to be found on the BBC's 'People's War' website, via the diary of George Chadwick, one of Cameronia's stewards:

'21 December 1942: We call at Algiers. Leave at about 9.30 p.m. Are warned to keep our guns manned as we may expect a torpedo attack from the air. 10.30 p.m. "Action Stations" sounded. We put up a terrific barrage from the ship.

22 December 1942: The "All Clear" is sounded at 1.30 a,m. We get a thankful rest until 4.00 a.m. when we have to go to "Action Stations" again. The planes seem very determined to get us as, all their attacks are concentrated solely on us. An aerial torpedo hits the ship on the starboard quarter. We proceed to our boats. I myself was amazed at the calmness displayed by the troops and it was a masterpiece of organisation considering there was over 4,000 souls on board. With relief we are told that the ship is in no immediate danger and with a powerful escort we limp back to a place called Bougie. So much for our short trip through what is known as "Suicide Alley". We have a few casualties, a few fatal. The catering department has to commence to salvage stores while the pumps keep the water at bay. We are successful on the above. The ship rapidly assumes normality even though there is a gaping hole in her side about 18' by 16'.

30 December 1942: We leave Bougie at 7 p.m. This is one of the most perilous voyages I have ever made. We still have a gaping hole in the ship's side and it's amazing the bulkhead on the opposite side does not give way with the pressure of water being hurled against it.

31 December 1942: This morning we bury at sea the last one of the soldiers who lost his life when the torpedo hit the ship. Ironically the remnants of the "tin fish" lie on the after deck for all to see. We have a very strong escort including fighter protection as we make our critical journey at just over 5 knots per hour. Our arrival in Algiers at 1 a.m. New Year's Day coincided with an air-raid warning but fortunately there was no activity. We had very dirty weather for the above short trip, which made it very dangerous to the ship.'

We may be sure that Gunn, in his capacity as Cameronia's Boatswain, was painfully aware of those dangers. Happily, his services were rewarded by his B.E.M. in the New Year.

He remained in the Cameronia until mid-June 1944, seeing further active service off Italy and Normandy.

His full wartime campaign medal entitlement comprised the 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, with France & Germany clasp, Africa Star, with North Africa 1942-43 clasp, Italy Star and War Medal 1939 45.

Gunn lived to a ripe old age, dying at Lerwick in the Shetlands on 24 May 1996, aged 97;Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including official correspondence in respect of the award of his B.E.M.

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Sold for
£380

Starting price
£170