THE KING’S MEDALS

Hokitika Guardian, 9 January 1930, Page 7

THE KING’S MEDALS

THE KING’S MEDALS. Lieut.-Commander Alexander Henry Maxwell-Hyslop and Marino Albert Edward Streams are to , receive the Albert Medal “for gallantry in saving life at sea.” Their services were performed when an explosion, costing 17 lives, blew, off the roof of a gun turret in the cruiser Devonshire., in the Eastern Mediterranean on July 26, 1929. The “London Gazette,” announcing the King’s approval of the awards states:— Marine Streams was the only man in the gun house who was not either killed instantly or fatally injuried. He was seriously shaken by the explosion and instinctively climbed to the top of the side plating to escape, but on arriving at the top he looked hack and saw the conditions inside the turret and deliberately climbed back into it amid the smoke and fumes notwithstanding the grave risk of further explosions. He then helped to evacuate the one remaining man of the right gun’s crew and took charge and played a major part in evacuating the crew of the fire control cabinet. When all the wounded were out he collapsed. His bravery, initiative and devotion to duty were beyond praise. Lieut-Commaiuler Maxwell-Hyslop was in the fore control when the explosion occurred and immediately proceeded to the turret and climbed inside. He made a general'examination of the turret and descended the gun well through most dangerous conditions of fumes and smoke, necessitating the use of a life line, remaining in the turret until the emergency was over, directing arrangements for the safety of the magazine and supervising the evav ,i----ntion df the wounded. At this time this officer and man. . . were fully aware that there were other "ordite charges in the hoist and handling room below which might ignite at any moment with almost certain fatal results to themselves, and they deliberately endangered their own lives tii save the lives of others.