MEDALS

Notice to Masters, Officers and Seamen of
Merchant Ships

Campaign Stars and War Medal 1939-45

Please "click" on medal to see its qualifications

1939-45 Star	Atlantic Star	War Medal

The medals seen above were awarded to my grandfather. The other crew men who served on the Empire Mica may have been entitled to have their own.

The other campaign stars for World War Two are seen below

Africa Star	Pacific Star	Burma Star	Italy Star	France & Germany Star

The following statement was recorded in the LONDON GAZETTE dated January 1943.

To be an Additional Officer of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire:-

Captain Hugh Gordon Bradford Bentley, Master.

To be an Additional Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire:-

Cyril Alexander Sydney, Esq., Second Officer.

The ship was hit by torpedoes and immediately the whole of the after-part of the vessel burst into flames. Attempts were made to launch the midship boat and a few survivors got into it. The boat was then hauled forward and those who were isolated on the forecastle head managed to jump clear and were picked up. Only then did the Master order the boat away from the ship.

Captain Bentley displayed courage, coolness and judgement throughout and, although injured, he took an active part in rescuing the survivors from the forecastle head.
It was due to the bravery, promptitude and cool judgement of the Second Officer that the boat was launched without capsizing.




The names of Harold Frederick Rose, Roderick McIlraith and my grandfather, Joseph Young Steele, appear on page 171 of this edition of the LONDON GAZETTE, under the heading Commendations

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