BOARD OF TRADE SEA GALLANTRY MEDAL
2nd Officer Lester Newman RFA
Able Seaman Thomas McCulloch McLean RFA
Able Seaman David Stuart Sorby RFA
Able Seaman Robert Kennedy RFA
Ordinary Seaman Charles Reside RFA
Donkeyman Arthur Williams RFA
2nd Officer Lester Newman SGM RFA
AB Thomas McLean SGM RFA OS Charles Reside SGM RFA
Schooner Cecil Junior
The schooner Cecil Junior of St. John’s Newfoundland, from Seville, Spain to St John’s in March 1926 encountered a succession of gales with heavy seas, and on 18 March the schooner’s rudder was carried away, causing the vessel to leak badly and also other damage was sustained.
The crew managed to keep the water down by pumping until 22 March, when, just before darkness set in, the attention of the RFA War Diwan was attracted by distress flares. The War Diwan stood by while the crew of the schooner attempted to abandon ship in their own boat, but this boat was smashed by the heavy seas as soon as an attempt was made to launch it.
RFA War Diwan
The Master of the War Diwan then decided to send his own life boat, and in response to his call for volunteers 2nd Officer Newman with AB’s McLean, Sorby and Kennedy, Ordinary Seaman Reside and Donkeyman Williams, proceeded to the Cecil Junior and took off its Master and the five members of the crew. A very rough and high sea was running, and the boat’s crew from the War Diwan ran considerable risk in getting alongside the schooner, and saving the lives of those onboard.
On 8 June 1927 H.M. the King awarded the Board of Trade Bronze Medal for Gallantry – the Sea Gallantry Medal – on the recommendation of the President of the Board of Trade to the 2nd Officer and five crew members of RFA War Diwan for their gallantry in saving life at sea.
The Newfoundland Government also presented the 2nd Officer with a set of binocular glasses and £3 was paid to each of the five members of the ships crew of the RFA