WW II Awards for RN Minesweeping

Under Development. Contributions and corrections welcome.

^NOTES

^{AWARD
ABBREVIATIONS}

^{OTHER
ABBREVIATIONS}

¹Killed on duty

² Award not for Minesweeping

³ Reason for award unknown

VC: Victoria Cross
GC: George Cross
CBE: Commander of the Order of the British Empire
DSO: Distinguished Service Order
OBE: Officer of the Order of the British Empire
MBE: Member of the Order of the British Empire

DSC: Distinguished Service Cross

MC: Military Cross

CGM: Conspicuous Gallantry Medal

GM: George Medal
DSM: Distinguished Service Medal

BEM: British Empire Medal (now superseded by MBE)

MID: Mention in Despatches
Commend'n: King's Commendation for Brave Conduct

B&MD: Bomb & Mine Disposal
BD: Bomb Disposal
BSO: Bomb Safety Officer
HMD: His Majesty's Drifter
HMT: His Majesty's Trawler
M/S: Minesweeper
RMS: Rendering Mines Safe

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

NAME	RANK/RATE	UNIT	DATE GAZETTED	AWARD	REMARKS
W
WADE Keith Hamilton	Lt RANVR	One or more M/S in final column	12 Jun 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for gallantry, outstanding skill and devotion to duty whilst serving in HM Ships Rhyl, Rothesay, Brixham, Polruan, Stornoway, Hailstorm and Nebb, and Light Coastal Forces, in minesweeping operations over dense and shallow minefields in the opening up of Greek ports in the Gulf of Corinth.
WAKE Hugh	Lt RN	One or more M/S in final column	20 Nov 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for bravery, skill and endurance whilst serving in HM Ships Plucky, Ameer, Sussex, Nelson, Rifleman and Pincher and HMIS Deccan in minesweeping operations and the bombardment, supported by air strikes, of Japanese airfields in Puket Island, Salang during July 1945.
WALE Jack	Stoker	?	10 Sep 43	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for skill and daring in successful minesweeping operations.
WALKE Charles Lewis	ERA Third Class	One or more M/S in final column	9 May 44	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for great skill, endurance and devotion to duty in HM Ships Whitehaven, Boston, Romney, Cromer and Cromarty in clearing enemy minefields to enable supply convoys and bombardment forces to operate in support of the Eighth Army in their advance from Egypt to Tunis.
WALKER Arthur Herbert	Commissioned Engineer RN	One or more M/S in final column	13 Apr 43	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for bravery and skill while serving in HM Ships Alafoss, Sidmouth, Bridlington, Blackpool, Bangor, Eastbourne, Sargasso, Dhoon, Loch Levan, lowther, Welbeck, Star of Orkney, Epine, Feasible, Miranda, Loch Eribol, Welsbach and William Bell while these ships were employed on the hazardous duties of keeping the seas clear of mines.
WALKER Cecil Stanley	Seaman RNR	One or more M/S in final column	7 Dec 43	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for steadfast courage and skill in a dangerous and important minesweeping operation while serving in HM Ships Acute, Albacore, Brixham, Cadmus, Circe, Clacton, Elbury, Espiegle, Fantome, Felixstowe, Filey Bay, Goth, Hazard, Negro, Polruan, Rothesay, Rhyl, Speedwell, Stornoway, and other ships.
WALKER Hector	Wireman	?	4 Sep 45	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for courage and determination while serving in HM Minesweepers in clearing a passage into Rotterdam, Yjmuiden and Den Helder thereby making possible the swift relief of Holland.
WALKER William Hutton	Electrical Lt RNVR	?	16 Nov 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for courage, efficiency and devotion to duty in the establishment of navigational aids in the approaches to the Rangoon river, in minesweeping and in the survey of the river prior to the assault on the city, May 1945.
WALKER William Robert	Lt RNVR	?	11 Sep 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for courage, skill and devotion to duty in HM Minesweepers in clearing the German Skaggerak mine barrier.
WALLACE Robert Simpson Dingwall	A/PO	?	18 Sep 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for bravery, determination and great devotion to duty in minesweeping operations in the Adriatic over a period from October 1944 to May 1945.
WALLBANK Cyril William	Leading Wireman	?	4 Sep 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for courage and determination while serving in HM Minesweepers in clearing a passage into Rotterdam, Yjmuiden and Den Helder thereby making possible the swift relief of Holland.
WALLER Stephen Lewis	Chief Motor Mechanic	?	13 Nov 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for courage, determination and great devotion to duty whilst engaged in clearing oyster mines by depth charges from the approaches of Le Havre and the rescue of survivors from a ship mined in the approaches during bad weather and under particularly dangerous conditions.
WALSH James	AB	One or more M/S in final column	19 Mar 46	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for great skill, efficiency and endurance whilst serving in HM Ships Friendship, Pelorus, Gozo, Emperor, Imersay, Persian Melita and Postillion during minesweeping operations off the Japanese-held Islands of Car Nicobar in July 1945.
WALSH Robert Frederick	PO	?	13 Nov 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for devotion to duty and outstanding endurance during mine clearance operations which entailed the working of very long hours in the Elbe and Weser rivers over the period March-June 1945.
WALTER Jack Vernon	PO	HMS Speedwell (Halcyon Class M/S)	16 May 41	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for good services while salvaging a Merchantman. (MV Atheltemplar off Humber 2/3 Mar 1941)
WARBRICK William Leslie	Ord Signalman	One or more M/S in final column	9 Jun 42	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for bravery, determination and fortitude in important minesweeping operations while serving in HM Ships Fitzroy, Pangbourne, Cava, Ronaldshay and Cape Nymetski.
WARD Stanley Joseph	A/AB	One or more M/S in final column	12 Jun 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for gallantry, outstanding skill and devotion to duty whilst serving in HM Ships Rhyl, Rothesay, Brixham, Polruan, Stornoway, Hailstorm and Nebb, and Light Coastal Forces, in minesweeping operations over dense and shallow minefields in the opening up of Greek ports in the Gulf of Corinth.
WARDE John Kenneth Murray	A/Lt Cdr RNVR	?	13 Nov 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for devotion to duty and outstanding endurance during mine clearance operations which entailed the working of very long hours in the Elbe and Weser rivers over the period March-June 1945.
WARDILL Sydney	Leading Wireman	One or more M/S in final column	3 Jul 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for consistent zeal, courage and good seamanship whilst serving in HM 104th and 31st Minesweeping Flotilla and the 159th Trawler Group and in HMCS Blairmore in arduous operations along the coasts of Southern England and Northern France.
WARDLE William	PO	One or more M/S in final column	12 Jun 45	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for gallantry, outstanding skill and devotion to duty whilst serving in HM Ships Rhyl, Rothesay, Brixham, Polruan, Stornoway, Hailstorm and Nebb, and Light Coastal Forces, in minesweeping operations over dense and shallow minefields in the opening up of Greek ports in the Gulf of Corinth.
WARDLEY Alan	Signalman	?	16 Jan 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for gallantry and skill in minesweeping operations off the coast of France.
WARREN Henry Carroll	Chief ERA	One or more M/S in final column	9 Jun 42	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for bravery, determination and fortitude in important minesweeping operations while serving in HM Ships Fitzroy, Pangbourne, Cava, Ronaldshay and Cape Nymetski.
WARRINGTON-STRONG Francis	Lt RN	One or more M/S in final column	? 27 Mar 42	DSC Bar to DSC	Minesweeping - Bar to DSC awarded for courage, skill and endurance while minesweeping in dangerous waters in HM Ships Bangor, Blyth, Eastbourne, Felixstowe, Ilfracombe, Peterhead, Polruan, Poole, Rhyl, Romney, Rothesay and Sidmouth.
WATKINS Harry	A/PO	?	30 May 44	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for courage and skill in dangerous minesweeping operations.
WATKINS Vincent Richard Thomas	Leading Radio Mechanic	One or more M/S in final column	12 Jun 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for skill, perseverance and great devotion to duty whilst serving in HM Ships Fly, St Kilda, Albacore, Squall, Waterwitch, Cadmus, Nimbus, Stornoway, Acute and Brave, and Light Coastal Forces in arduous minesweeping operations along the West Coast of Italy.
WATSON Alfred Edmund	Chief ERA	HMS Borde (Mine Disposal Ship)	8 Mar 40	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for dangerous and successful experimental work dealing with mines.
WATSON Robert	Seaman	One or more M/S in final column	12 Jun 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for gallantry, outstanding skill and devotion to duty whilst serving in HM Ships Rhyl, Rothesay, Brixham, Polruan, Stornoway, Hailstorm and Nebb, and Light Coastal Forces, in minesweeping operations over dense and shallow minefields in the opening up of Greek ports in the Gulf of Corinth.
WATT John Robert	Lt RNVR	One or more M/S in final column	14 Nov 44	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for outstanding courage and devotion to duty in HM Ships Brixham, Bude, Hoy, Polruan, Rothesay and Sharpshooter in minesweeping operations in the Mediterranean.
WATT John William	PO	?	3 Apr 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the estuary of the Scheldt of mines during the period of October to November 1944.
WATT Joseph Sutherland	Lt RNR	One or more M/S in final column	13 Apr 43	DSC	Minesweeping - DSC awarded for bravery and skill while serving in HM Ships Alafoss, Sidmouth, Bridlington, Blackpool, Bangor, Eastbourne, Sargasso, Dhoon, Loch Levan, lowther, Welbeck, Star of Orkney, Epine, Feasible, Miranda, Loch Eribol, Welsbach and William Bell while these ships were employed on the hazardous duties of keeping the seas clear of mines.
WEATHERELL George	ERA Third Class	?	11 Sep 45	MID	Minelaying - MID awarded for courage, skill and devotion to duty in HM Minesweepers in clearing the German Skaggerak mine barrier.
WEAVER Eric	LS	One or more M/S in final column	9 Jun 42	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for bravery, determination and fortitude in important minesweeping operations while serving in HM Ships Fitzroy, Pangbourne, Cava, Ronaldshay and Cape Nymetski.
WEEKES Albert William	PO	One or more M/S in final column	27 Mar 42		Minesweeping - DSM awarded for courage, skill and endurance while minesweeping in dangerous waters in Felixstowe, Ilfracombe, Peterhead, Polruan, Poole, Rhyl, Romney, Rothesay and Sidmouth.
WEEKS Leonard Robert John	LS	?	3 Apr 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the estuary of the Scheldt of mines during the period of October to November 1944.
WELSH James	PO	?	13 Nov 45	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for devotion to duty and outstanding endurance during mine clearance operations which entailed the working of very long hours in the Elbe and Weser rivers over the period March-June 1945.
WEST Donald	ERA Fourth Class	?	11 Sep 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for courage, skill and devotion to duty in HM Minesweepers in clearing the German Skaggerak mine barrier.
WESTCOTT Eric John	ERA Third Class	?	3 Apr 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the estuary of the Scheldt of mines during the period of October to November 1944.
WHEELS Horace James	A/Warrant Engineer RN	One or more M/S in final column	9 May 44	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for great skill, endurance and devotion to duty in HM Ships Whitehaven, Boston, Romney, Cromer and Cromarty in clearing enemy minefields to enable supply convoys and bombardment forces to operate in support of the Eighth Army in their advance from Egypt to Tunis.
WILSON John Muir	A/PO	One or more M/S in final column	24 Apr 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for outstanding skill, determination and despatch in carrying out minesweeping operations, frequently under fire, off the East Coast of Italy whilst serving in HM Ships Fabius, Aberdare, Fareham, Bagshot and BYMS 2209.
WHITE Bernard	Chief Stoker	One or more M/S in final column	27 Mar 42	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for courage, skill and endurance while minesweeping in dangerous waters in HM Ships Bangor, Blyth, Eastbourne, Felixstowe, Ilfracombe, Peterhead, Polruan, Poole, Rhyl, Romney, Rothesay and Sidmouth.
WHITE James Thomson	A/Skipper Lt RNR	?	? 3 Apr 45	DSC MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the estuary of the Scheldt of mines during the period of October to November 1944.
WHITE John Cook	Second Hand RNPS	?	22 Dec 42	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for courage, endurance and devotion to duty in minesweeping operations.
WHITTAKER Joseph	AB	?	1 Feb 44	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for courage, keenness and skill in a dangerous and valuable minesweeping operation.
WHITTLE William James	ERA Second Class	One or more M/S in final column	7 Dec 43	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for steadfast courage and skill in a dangerous and important minesweeping operation while serving in HM Ships Acute, Albacore, Brixham, Cadmus, Circe, Clacton, Elbury, Espiegle, Fantome, Felixstowe, Filey Bay, Goth, Hazard, Negro, Polruan, Rothesay, Rhyl, Speedwell, Stornoway, and other ships.
WHITTLETON Arthur Ernest	LS	?	6 Jun 44	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for leadership, skill and devotion to duty in an important minesweeping operation.
WHITTY Stephen	A/PO	?	18 Sep 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for bravery, determination and great devotion to duty in minesweeping operations in the Adriatic over a period from October 1944 to May 1945.
WILDE Dennis Richard	LS	?	18 Sep 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for bravery, determination and great devotion to duty in minesweeping operations in the Adriatic over a period from October 1944 to May 1945.
WILES Thomas Peter	A/CPO	?	3 Apr 45	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the estuary of the Scheldt of mines during the period of October to November 1944.
WILLIAMS Cyril Louvain	Leading Wireman	?	3 Apr 45	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the estuary of the Scheldt of mines during the period of October to November 1944.
WILLIAMS Ernest	Coder	?	3 Apr 45	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the estuary of the Scheldt of mines during the period of October to November 1944.
WILLIAMS Ernest Albert Duncan	Commissioned Engineer RN	?	4 Sep 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for courage, resolution and skill in minesweeping operations clearing a channel from the Humber to Heligoland and thence along the North German Coast to Cuxhaven, Hamburg and Bremerhaven during May 1945.
WILLIAMS Reginald Thomas Harry	Engineman	?	3 Apr 45	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the estuary of the Scheldt of mines during the period of October to November 1944.
WILLIAMS Thomas Edward	Lt Cdr RNR	One or more M/S in final column	7 Dec 43	DSC	Minesweeping - DSC awarded for steadfast courage and skill in a dangerous and important minesweeping operation while serving in HM Ships Acute, Albacore, Brixham, Cadmus, Circe, Clacton, Elbury, Espiegle, Fantome, Felixstowe, Filey Bay, Goth, Hazard, Negro, Polruan, Rothesay, Rhyl, Speedwell, Stornoway, and other ships.
WILLIAMSON Benjamin	AB	?	26 Jun 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for outstanding skill, courage and devotion to duty in hazardous minesweeping operations in the ports of Northern France after the invasion.
WILMOT John Elton	Lt RNVR	One or more M/S in final column	9 May 44	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for enterprise and skill minesweeping in HM Ships Bressay, Exmouth, Sycamore, Bouvet III and Light Craft.
WILSON Forbes	AB	One or more M/S in final column	27 Mar 42	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for courage, skill and endurance while minesweeping in dangerous waters in HM Ships Bangor, Blyth, Eastbourne, Felixstowe, Ilfracombe, Peterhead, Polruan, Poole, Rhyl, Romney, Rothesay and Sidmouth.
WILSON Jack	A/Chief Engineman	?	15 May 45	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for gallantry, perseverance and devotion to duty in minesweeping operations under enemy fire in the Adriatic.
WILSON James	AB	One or more M/S in final column	12 Jun 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for skill, perseverance and great devotion to duty whilst serving in HM Ships Fly, St Kilda, Albacore, Squall, Waterwitch, Cadmus, Nimbus, Stornoway, Acute and Brave, and Light Coastal Forces in arduous minesweeping operations along the West Coast of Italy.
WINTER Thomas Alfred Baldwin	Lt RNVR	?	18 Sep 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for bravery, determination and great devotion to duty in minesweeping operations in the Adriatic over a period from October 1944 to May 1945.
WISE Alfred Frederick	PO	?	3 Apr 45	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the estuary of the Scheldt of mines during the period of October to November 1944.
WONNACOTT Mark	ERA Third Class	One or more M/S in final column	27 Mar 42	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for courage, skill and endurance while minesweeping in dangerous waters in HM Ships Bangor, Blyth, Eastbourne, Felixstowe, Ilfracombe, Peterhead, Polruan, Poole, Rhyl, Romney, Rothesay and Sidmouth.
WOOD Albert	AB	?	26 Jun 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for outstanding skill, courage and devotion to duty in hazardous minesweeping operations in the ports of Northern France after the invasion.
WOODROW Alexander John	Signalman	?	23 Jan 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for courage and skill in minesweeping operations in the approaches to Le Havre.
WOODS Albert George	Leading Cook	One or more M/S in final column	3 Jul 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for consistent zeal, courage and good seamanship whilst serving in HM 104th and 31st Minesweeping Flotilla and the 159th Trawler Group and in HMCS Blairmore in arduous operations along the coasts of Southern England and Northern France.
WOODS Cecil Giffard	Chief Motor Mechanic (L)	?	3 Apr 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the estuary of the Scheldt of mines during the period of October to November 1944.
WORTH Douglas Gordon	Lt RNVR	?	4 Sep 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for courage, resolution and skill in minesweeping operations clearing a channel from the Humber to Heligoland and thence along the North German Coast to Cuxhaven, Hamburg and Bremerhaven during May 1945.
WRAPSON Joseph Frank	PO	?	18 Sep 45	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for bravery, determination and great devotion to duty in minesweeping operations in the Adriatic over a period from October 1944 to May 1945.
WRAY Bernard	Engineman	One or more M/S in final column	3 Jul 45	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for consistent zeal, courage and good seamanship whilst serving in HM 104th and 31st Minesweeping Flotilla and the 159th Trawler Group and in HMCS Blairmore in arduous operations along the coasts of Southern England and Northern France.
WRIGHT Bernard Joseph Maxwell	A/Lt Cdr RNVR	?	3 Apr 45	DSC	Minesweeping - DSC awarded for great gallantry and endurance in clearing the estuary of the Scheldt of mines during the period of October to November 1944.
WRIGHT John George	PO RNPS	One or more M/S in final column	7 Dec 43	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for steadfast courage and skill in a dangerous and important minesweeping operation while serving in HM Ships Acute, Albacore, Brixham, Cadmus, Circe, Clacton, Elbury, Espiegle, Fantome, Felixstowe, Filey Bay, Goth, Hazard, Negro, Polruan, Rothesay, Rhyl, Speedwell, Stornoway, and other ships.
WRIGHT Norman Alfred	Lt RNVR	One or more M/S in final column	7 Dec 43	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for steadfast courage and skill in a dangerous and important minesweeping operation while serving in HM Ships Acute, Albacore, Brixham, Cadmus, Circe, Clacton, Elbury, Espiegle, Fantome, Felixstowe, Filey Bay, Goth, Hazard, Negro, Polruan, Rothesay, Rhyl, Speedwell, Stornoway, and other ships.
WYATT Leslie John	Lt RNVR	One or more M/S in final column	29 Sep 42	DSC	Minesweeping - DSC awarded for bravery and skill while minesweeping in HM Ships Clythness, Kingscourt, Lynx, Onetos, Ronso, and HM Motor Minesweepers.
WYRILL Joseph John	A/LS	One or more M/S in final column	19 Mar 46	MID	Minesweeping - MID awarded for great skill, efficiency and endurance whilst serving in HM Ships Friendship, Pelorus, Gozo, Emperor, Imersay, Persian Melita and Postillion during minesweeping operations off the Japanese-held Islands of Car Nicobar in July 1945.
WYSE Thomas Millar	Seaman RNPS	One or more M/S in final column	8 Feb 44	DSM	Minesweeping - DSM awarded for bravery and skill in minesweeping while serving in HM Trawlers British Withernsea, Courser, Oku and Mount Keen.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

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