Gibraltarian John George Joyce joined the RFA in 1939 as a seaman serving on RFA’s Prestol, Viscol, Thermol and Mixol during the war years and after the war on other RFA’s. George came ashore from the Service in 1955 when he was the Bosun on RFA Eddybeach.

After his time at sea George joined the Victualling Yard in Gibraltar for a further 25 years retiring in 1970 when he was awarded the Imperial Service Medal.

His war time service however was not recognised and he never received any medals for that time of conflict including taking part, while on RFA Viscol, in Operation Torch – the Allied landings in North Africa in 1942 – when his ship received a Battle Honour.

George, now 89, lives in retirement in Gibraltar.

Some two years ago the RFA Historical Society arranged for George to receive the Veterans Badge which he now wears with pride. It then learnt that he had never received the medals he was entitled to for his service during the war.

Historical Society member Chris White researched George’s entitlement with visits to the National Archives at Kew and in liaison with the Maritime and Coast Guard Agency at Cardiff and with considerable assistance from Commodore W. Walworth CBE RFA and the team on Whale Island secured the medals to which George should have received 63 years ago.

On Friday 6 November 2009 in the courtyard of The Tower, HM Naval Base, Gibraltar and to much acclaim, before 40 plus serving Service personnel of all ranks and rates, his relatives and friends, the Commander British Forces Gibraltar – Commodore Adrian Bell Royal Navy – presented George with the 1939 Star and the 1939 War Medal.

Commodore Adrian Bell Royal Navy presents George with his medals

The Citation was read by Lieutenant Commander Nick Chapman Royal Navy, Queen’s Harbour Master, Gibraltar.

George, his relatives and friends with Commodore Bell, Lieutenant Commander Chapman and Chris White with a small proportion of the Service personnel who turned out for the presentation

George Joyce at 41 Berth

The RFA Historical Society was represented at the presentation by Chris White.

George’s entitlement was never recognised due to him never holding a discharge book and lack of proper record keeping during the war and the Historical Society are pleased to have been able to put the record straight.

The RFA Historical Society is actively researching and seeking out other RFA crew members who are entitled to medals or awards from their time in the Service where they have not received the recognition due.

This report was originally published on 7 July 2009. It is with profound regret that we have to report that Bosun John George Joyce ISM crossed the bar on 22 April 2011