AWARDS & DECORATIONS

CARIBBEAN MERCHANT NAVY WW2

LONDON GAZETTE

POPE, Clifford - British Empire Medal (Civil Division). "Clifford Pope, an Able Seaman, native of St Vincent, but living in Trinidad for past 18 years with his wife and family at St Paul Street, Port of Spain, has been awarded the British Empire Medal (Civil Division) by HM The King for Distinguished Services in exacting night-time rescue work at sea. The London Gazette of Aug 3 states: The ship was sailing in convoy when another vessel was torpedoed and had her stern blown off. Although there was a heavy swell running, the Master put his engines full astern and backed down towards the stricken ship. In 8 minutes she had disappeared. Although some of the survivors were able to scramble up the scrambling nets unaided, many were suffering from the effects of oil fumes and most of them were exhausted. The Second Officer, the Junior Engineer Officer and Able Seaman Pope particularly distinguished themselves in the exacting work of rescue. The three men went down the ship's side and into the nets. They were practically submerged during the time they were tying ropes around survivors, but their determination that none should be lost in the darkness was fully rewarded. All this time the ship was herself in danger of attack, a fact which did not prevent the Master remaining on the spot until he had assured himself that he had rescued every survivor." Story in Trinidad Guardian 12 Nov 1943.   Tanker RFA ORANGELEAF official number 140300 built in 1917. The following members of the crew received awards for the rescue of survivors from ships in convoy. Kent, Guy Stanley - Captain OBE(Civ). Bray, George - Second Officer MBE(Civ). Hammonds, Percy - Junior Engineer MBE(Civ). Pope, Clifford - Able Seaman BEM(Civ). RFA Orangeleaf survived the war and was broken up in Briton Ferry 25.1.1948. Source: Hugh MacLean WW2Talk. London Gazette:  page1 , page2



 

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