BRITISH AWARDS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 8 January 1941, Page 6

BRITISH AWARDS

BRAE IiLLfIS AT SEA riiY g" miAfirr, hfroihc CIVTN M.fil GALLANTRY IN BOAT VOYAGES iPriti-h Official Wirfie-.s i tßecr-ived Thi" Day. 11.28 a.m > RUGBY, January 7. The tragedy of the sinking of the City iif Benares, with a number of children aboard, is recalled by an •m--nouncement of the award of the M.B.E. to Mr Ronald Cooper and Miss Mary Cornish. Mr Cooper was fourth utlicer of the torpedoed ship and managed to get away his lifeboat containing 4(> persons. Largely through his seamanship. this open boat sailed safely on lite Atlantic for eight days and tinally was rescued by a British destroyer Miss Cornish was an “escort" travelling in charge of a number of children. When the vessel struck, she collected the children for whom site was responsible. assembled them on deck and then returned below to see jf any others were in need of aid. V»hile the party was at sea. she devoted herself to saving her charges, massaging the children to preserve their circulation. encouraging them to do simple exercises, inventing cheerful games and arranging a daily health routine. She showed great endurance, with, an entire disregard of herself. Ihe party was* rescued and brought safely home. Amongst awards to officers and men of the Merchant Navy for gallantry in carrying out their duties is the award of the 0.8. E. to Captain Robert Hammett and the George Medal to Mr. Edward Barnes, who were master and second officer respectively of a merchant vessel. Their ship was torpedoed by a submarine and sank. The crew abandoned her in three undamaged boats. After 12 days on the high seas —towards the end in a gale, with heavy seas, which broke into the boat —they sighted land and beached the boat Next day they put to sea again and reached port after a voyage of 850 miles. Of the 29 occupants, only 10 survived. The announcement of the award states: "The high courage and endurance of Captain Hammelt and Mr. Barnes saved these lives, and their steadfast resolution was in the highest traditions of the Merchant Navy."