Under Development.  Contributions and corrections welcome.

 

NOTES

AWARD ABBREVIATIONS

OTHER ABBREVIATIONS

1 Killed on duty

2 Award not for RMS or BD

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BEM: British Empire Medal (now superseded by MBE)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
LCOCU:
Landing Craft Obstacle Clearance Unit
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

M

MacPHERSON
James John

P/JX517328

AB

‘P’ Party 1574

30 Apr 46

MID

Port Clearance - MID awarded for good services in Mine Clearance and Mine Disposal Operations in NW Europe immediately before the close of the war with Germany and in the months which followed.

MADDERN
Charles Redvers

D/J43242

CPO

CPO

HMS Defiance (Devonport)

HMS Defiance (Devonport)

27 Jun 41
1 Jul 41

GM
Commend'n

RMS - GM awarded for gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty. Bomb disposal RN Hospital Plymouth 25 Mar 41.

Commendation awarded King's Birthday Honours 1941.

MAGENNIS
James Joseph

D/JX144907

AB
A/LS

X-7
XE-3

21 Dec 43
9 Nov 45

MID
VC

X-Craft Diver - See below:

MID awarded for Operation SOURCE (Attack on Tirpitz)

 

VC awarded for Operation STRUGGLE (Johore Strait).  Leading Seaman Magennis served as Diver in His Majesty's Midget Submarine XE-3 for her attack on 31st July 1945 on a Japanese cruiser of the Atago Class. Owing to the fact that XE-3 was tightly jammed under the target, the diver's hatch could not be fully opened and Magennis had to squeeze himself through the narrow space available.

He experienced great difficulty in placing his limpets on the bottom of the cruiser owing both to the foul state of the bottom and to the pronounced slope upon which the limpets would not hold.  Before a limpet could be placed therefore Magennis had thoroughly to scrape the area clear of barnacles, and in order to secure the limpets he had to tie them in pairs by a line passing under the cruiser keel.  This was very tiring work for a diver and he was moreover troubled by a steady leakage of oxygen which was ascending in bubbles to the surface.  A lesser man would have been content to place a few limpets and then return to the craft.  Magennis, however, persisted until he had placed his full outfit before returning to his craft in an exhausted condition.  Shortly after withdrawing, Lieutenant Fraser [the CO] endeavoured to jettison his limpet carriers but one of these would not release itself and fall clear of the craft.  Despite his exhaustion, his oxygen leak and the fact that there was every possibility of his being sighted, Magennis at once volunteered to leave the craft and free the carrier rather than allow a less experienced diver to undertake the job.  After seven minutes of nerve-wracking work he succeeded in releasing the carrier.  Magennis displayed very great courage and devotion to duty and complete disregard for his own safety.

MANN
Norman Walter Albert

Sub Lt RNVR

HMD Benius
HMS Vernon

16 Aug 40
27 Jun 41

MID2
Commend'n

RMS - MID awarded for Dunkirk.

Commendation awarded for brave conduct and devotion to duty.

MARIES
Raymond William (Brum)

P/JX426759

AB

‘P’ Party 1572

23 Apr 46

MID

Port Clearance - MID awarded for good services in Mine Clearance and Mine Disposal Operations in NW Europe immediately before the close of the war with Germany and in the months which followed.

MARTIN
George

Commissioned Gunner

HMS Stag (Suez)

29 Jun 43

MBE

Diving - Appointed MBE for dauntless courage and skill in dangerous diving operations.

MARTIN
John Henry

P/JX147610

 

AB

AB

AB

AB

HMS Vernon
HMS Vernon
HMS Vernon
MFV 1037 (Vernon)

3 Nov 42
15 Aug 44
16 Jan 45
13 Jun 46

BEM
DSM
MID
MID

B & MD and Port Clearance - BEM awarded for bravery and devotion to duty. Mine disposal Channel Nov 41 to Jul 42.

DSM awarded for courage and undaunted devotion to duty. Mine disposal Channel 21 Apr 44.

MID awarded for gallantry and distinguished services in the work of mine-clearance in the face of the enemy.  Mine disposal Seine Bay and Cherbourg 1944.

MID awarded King's Birthday Honours 1946.

MARTYN
Gordon John

Sub Lt RNVR

HMS Vernon
HMS St Angelo (Malta)

27 Jun 41
29 Sep 42

GM
MID

RMS & Minesweeping - GM awarded for gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty. Mine disposal Manchester Dec 40.

MID awarded for bravery and sustained devotion to duty in keeping the Approaches to the Harbours of Malta clear of mines May to Jun 42.

MAYDON
Eric William

P/JX514914

AB

‘P’ Party 1571

30 Apr 46

BEM

Port Clearance - BEM awarded for valuable services in connection with
mine clearance and mine disposal in NW Europe immediately before the close of the war with Germany and in the months which followed.

MAYS
Roy Vincent Chapple

P/JX381171

AB

‘P’ Party 1571

15 May 45

MID

Port Clearance - MID awarded for bravery and skill in mine-clearing operations in enemy-held ports during the invasion of Normandy and the Low Countries.

McCLINTON
Greville Westmacott

Sub Lt RNVR

HMS Vernon

23 Jan 41

GM

RMS - GM awarded for gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty. Mine disposal London 15 Oct 40.

McCOURT
Arthur

P/SSX29101

AB

AB

AB

HMS Vernon

HMS Vernon

MFV 1037

19 Sep 44
16 Jan 45

13 Jun 46

GM
MID

MID

RMS and Port Clearance - GM awarded for gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty. Mine disposal UK Aug 43 to Apr 44.

First MID awarded for gallantry and distinguished services in the work of mine-clearance in the face of the enemy. Mine disposal Seine Bay and Cherbourg 1944.

Second MID awarded in King's Birthday Honours 1946.

McDONALD
John Goodwin

P/JX632764

Ord Seaman

‘P’ Party 1574

15 May 45

BEM

Port Clearance - BEM awarded for gallantry and skill in mine-searching and clearing operations in the ports of Normandy and of the Low Countries following the invasion of France.

McFADZEAN
David

FAA/FX78783

Air Artificer Third Class

HMS Emperor (Aircraft Carrier)

1 May 45

BEM

Diving - BEM awarded for outstanding service in diving operations and as tenders to the divers during the invasion of the South of France.

McFETRIDGE
John

6927C

Seaman RNR

HMS Vernon

27 Jun 41

GM

RMS - GM awarded for gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty. Mine disposal UK Dec 40 to Jan 41.

McGUIRK
Edward Kenneth

P/JX382454

AB

PO

‘P’ Party 1572

‘P’ Party 1572

15 May 45
30 Apr 46

MID
MID

Port Clearance - First MID awarded for bravery and skill in mine-clearing operations in enemy-held ports during the invasion of Normandy and the Low Countries.

Second MID awarded for good services in Mine Clearance and Mine Disposal Operations in NW Europe immediately before the close of the war with Germany and in the months which followed.

McILDUFF
Francis

P/JX430542

AB

‘P’ Party 1571

15 May 45

MID

Port Clearance - MID awarded for bravery and skill in mine-clearing operations in enemy-held ports during the invasion of Normandy and the Low Countries.

McINNES
Richard Edward

Sub Lt RNVR

HMS Vernon

20 Dec 40

MID

RMS - MID awarded for courage, coolness and devotion to duty.

McKEE
Harold

Sub Lt RNVR

HMS Vernon

23 Jan 41

GM

RMS? - GM awarded for gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty. Mine disposal UK Aug to Oct 40.

McKENZIE
Charles William

C/JX294465

LS

‘P’ Party 1573

15 May 45

MID

Port Clearance - MID awarded for bravery and skill in mine-clearing operations in enemy-held ports during the invasion of Normandy and the Low Countries.

McKERRACHER
Robert George

P/JX306762

AB

‘P’ Party 1572

15 May 45

MID

Port Clearance - MID awarded for bravery and skill in mine-clearing operations in enemy-held ports during the invasion of Normandy and the Low Countries.

McKINLAY
Ronald Harry George
P/JX245579
PO RM Beach Cdo 'Peter' 29 Aug 1944 CGM Later CPO(CD1).  See below.
CGM awarded for gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the initial landings of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy.
Petty Officer McKinlay was put ashore between noon and 1400 hours on 6th June. Finding himself at some distance from his pre-arranged destination he made his way along the beach and took charge of a party of Naval ratings and Army ranks who were bound for the same point. Single-handed, he silenced two enemy strong points on the way with hand grenades. Later, on an open stretch of sand which was under fire from enemy snipers, disregarding his own safety, he went to the rescue of a wounded man and brought him safely to cover.

McNEIL
Bernard Eden

C/JX408664

Ord Seaman

MTB 675

21 Dec 43

DSM2

DSM awarded for Askvoll CHARIOT attack.

McNICOLL
Alan Wedel Ramsey, Sir

Lt Cdr RAN
Capt RAN
RA RAN
VA RAN

HMS Medway (Alexandria)
HMAS Australia
?

?

8 Jul 42
1 Jan 54
1 Jan 65
1 Jan 66

GM
CBE
CB
KBE

B&MD - GM awarded for gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty. Disarmed Italian torpedoes Alexandria.

McVITTIE
Francis Gordon Joseph

P/JX321875

AB

AB

‘P’ Party 1573

‘P’ Party 1573

15 May 45
30 Apr 46

MID
MID

Port Clearance - First MID awarded for bravery and skill in mine-clearing operations in enemy-held ports during the invasion of Normandy and the Low Countries.

Second MID awarded for good services in Mine Clearance and Mine Disposal Operations in NW Europe immediately before the close of the war with Germany and in the months which followed.

MERGLER
Thomas Noel

P/JX520493

AB

AB

‘P’ Party 1573

‘P’ Party 1573

15 May 45
30 Apr 46

MID
BEM

Port Clearance - MID awarded for bravery and skill in mine-clearing operations in enemy-held ports during the invasion of Normandy and the Low Countries.

BEM awarded for valuable services in connection with mine clearance and mine disposal in NW Europe immediately before the close of the war with Germany and in the months which followed.

MILLER
John Bryan Peter

Sub Lt RNVR (Later Lt Cdr)

HMS President
(London)

4 Jan 41
27 Jun 41

GC
Commend'n

BD - See below.

GC awarded for great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty. Worked with AB Tuckwell in the dangerous work of mine disposal during the early days of the Blitz.  Called to deal with a mine which had fallen into the soft mud in Roding River, which runs into Barking Creek. Sub-Lt Miller decided to borrow a canoe and having put this on a fire-float with the kit, he and AB Tuckwell went up the creek to where the mine was thought to be lying. They then left the River Fire Service fire-float and went on in the canoe until they sighted the black rim of the mine which was stuck in the mud by the nose. They worked together - AB Tuckwell handing the necessary tools to Sub-Lt Miller who was working under about a foot of water. They managed to get out one fuze, but could not reach the other, so appealed to several crane-drivers who had come to see what was happening, and they at once volunteered to help. The two experts got back into the water, put ropes round the mine, and with the assistance of the crane-drivers, the huge cylinder was dragged slowly out of the creek, over the muddy bank and up on to the wharf. The final stages of the operation were then completed in comparative comfort.

 

Commendation awarded for brave conduct and devotion to duty. On the night of 8/9 Dec 40, a mine fell, practically undamaged with its tail propped up at about 40 degrees to the horizontal against a part of the signal box outside London Bridge Station. The importance of this mine, quite apart from its effect on rail communications at the time, lay in the fact that, if it should explode, a viaduct carrying all the lines to Cannon Street, Charing Cross and London Bridge Stations would have been destroyed; also the electrically operated signal box would have been destroyed. The bomb fuze was underneath and there was only just room to get between the mine and the wall of the signal box to reach the fuze. It was too risky to attempt to pull the mine out to make it more accessible, in case of precipitating a disaster, so Lt Miller carefully dug a hole below the fuze big enough to take the safety pressure horn. The pressure horn was then screwed on and the pressure admitted, but the usual click of the hydrostatic valve was not forthcoming. The keep ring of the fuze was started carefully, and it had hardly been moved before a noise was heard like the starting of the fuze clock. After twenty minutes Lt Miller went back to investigate and found that the pressure horn had lost its pressure; this was taken off and tested and found to have been leaking.  Two further horns were obtained from the Admiralty; one was tested and then screwed on to the fuze; the click of the valve was again not forthcoming when the pressure was applied; however, Lt Miller decided he had better get on with the job as quickly as possible. The spanner had scarcely been applied to the keep ring when the same noise, as of the clock of the fuze starting, was again heard. Again nothing happened so he returned to the mine again and found the horn had lost its pressure.  Lt Miller then considered that the hydrostatic valve of the fuze was leaking and that there was nothing to be done but to try to remove the fuze without safety arrangements and despite the fact that he considered that the clock had already started and stopped twice. He explained this to the station-master, returned to the mine and, utterly regardless of consequences, removed the bomb fuze and rendered the mine safe.  On investigation it was found that the bomb fuze itself was leaking, consequently the pressure horn was quite useless as a safety arrangement. The mine, therefore, was in a highly dangerous state throughout the whole operation, including those periods when Lt Miller thought the pressure horn was effective.

MOHAMED
Sultan
2951
CPO RIN HMIS Adyar 23 Oct 45 BEM B&MD - BEM awarded for courage, skill and devotion to duty whilst serving with HMIS Adyar in the salvage of aircraft and depth charges.

MOORE
Richard Valentine

Sub Lt (Sp) RNVR
(Later Lt Cdr)

HMS President
(London)

27 Dec 40
1963?

GC
CBE2

B&MD - GC awarded for great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty. Although he had no practical training, he was called upon in an emergency and disarmed five mines. On the night of 20 Sep, four mines fell on Dagenham but only one exploded. Moore and his assistant accompanied police officers to the site of two of the unexploded devices. One had fallen on a road outside a factory which had been evacuated. On examination, it could be seen that the impact had distorted the fuse ring so that it could not be unscrewed. Moore borrowed a drill from the factory and drilled out two gaps on opposite sides of the ring so that it broke in two, thus allowing the fuse to be extracted. CPO George Wheeler was awarded the BEM (Mil Div for gallantry) in this action

MORGAN-GILES
Morgan Charles

Lt RN
(Later Rear Admiral Sir Morgan Charles Morgan-Giles)

HMS Nile (Alex)
HMS Nile (Alex)
HMS Grebe (Dekheilia)
HMS Fabius (Taranto)
HMS Fabius (Taranto)
HMS Fabius (Taranto)
HMS Fabius (Taranto)
HMS Fabius (Taranto)

2 Sep 41
1 Jan 42
1 Jan 44
11 Jul 44
30 May 44
5 Sep 44
20 Feb 45
24 Apr 45

GM
MID
MBE
OBE
MID
MID
MID2
DSO2

B&MD and Port Clearance - See below.

GM awarded for gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty.

 

Appointed OBE for courage, leadership and devotion to duty in fire-fighting, rescue work and the salvage of valuable ships during and after a heavy air raid on Bari.

 

MID awarded for outstanding services.

 

MID awarded for distinguished service in command of a successful operation against enemy Destroyers off the Dalmatian coast.

 

DSO awarded for courage, outstanding leadership and devotion to duty whilst serving in HM Ships Fabius, Brocklesby, Wilton, Quantock, Lamerton and Light Coast Forces in an attack on the Island of Lussino:

MORRIS
George Francis

FAA/FX79747

PO Air Mechanic (E)

HMS Attacker (Aircraft Carrier)

1 May 45

BEM

Diving - BEM awarded for outstanding service in diving operations and as tenders to the divers during the invasion of the South of France.

MORRIS
Malcolm Guy

Lt RNR

HMS Borde (Mine Disposal Ship)

8 Mar 40

DSC

RMS - DSC awarded for dangerous and successful experimental work dealing with mines.

MORSS
Donald James Robert

PO/X1808

A/CSM RM

4 Commando Brigade

17 Nov 44

MID

LCOCUs - MID awarded for gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy. Also operated off Walcheren.

MOULD
John Stuart (Mouldy)

Lt RANVR (Later Lt Cdr)

HMS Vernon
'P-Party' 1571

27 Jun 41
28 Apr 42
3 Nov 42

Commend'n
GM
GC

RMS then underwater mine disposal - See below.

Commendation awarded for brave conduct and devotion to duty for mine disposal.

GM awarded for gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty. Participated in mine disposal London and later in Med.

 

GC awarded for mine disposal Nov 41 to Jun 42. His outstanding work in dock clearance operations and those resulting in the stripping of the early German mine Type G has been the subject of a previous recommendation for which he was ultimately awarded the GM. Carried out the most important recovery and rendering safe operations with brilliant success. These operations included the recovery, rendering safe and investigation of the first German acoustic unit and moored magnetic mine.

 

First man to win both GC and GM for such exploits as tackling a live acoustic mine and general contribution to mine disposal work.

MOUNTFORD
Dennis

P/SSX20260

AB

HMS Vernon

27 Jun 41

GM

RMS - GM awarded for gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty. Assisted Lt Cdr Wadsley conduct first rendering safe and recovery of a photo-electric cell booby-trapped G Type mine in Clyde area. Assisted Lt Fenwick render safe mine in 3rd floor office of building adjacent to main telephone exchange in Liverpool 13 Mar 41.

MUIR
Alexander Gunning

PO/X110265

A/Cpl RM

'P-Party' 1574

15 May 45

BEM

Port Clearance - BEM awarded for gallantry and skill in mine-searching and clearing operations in the ports of Normandy and of the Low Countries following the invasion of France.

MURRAY
Gilbert Ralph

Lt Cdr RN

HMS Vernon

9 Aug 40

MID

RMS - MID awarded for courage and skill in dealing with an unexploded bomb.

MUTTOCK
Alec William

C/JX320267

AB

‘P’ Party 1573

30 Apr 46

MID

Port Clearance - MID awarded for good services in Mine Clearance and Mine Disposal Operations in NW Europe immediately before the close of the war with Germany and in the months which followed.

 

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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