ALBERT MEDAL

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 November 1943, Page 3

ALBERT MEDAL

AWARDED TO GALLANT N. Z. STOKER. (Special P.A. Correspondent.) LONDON, November 24. The Albert Medal in bronze has been awarded to Stoker First Class Donald William Dale, Ti'maru, who helped to rescue six men from a ship in which there was an explosion. All the antismoke apparatus was in use, so Dale tied a handkerchief over his mouth and went into the smoke-filled compartment and helped to rescue four men. He came up for a spell and then went down into another part of the ship in which an explosion had occurred. With the help of another man he rescued two dockyard workmen, getting them up through a man-hole by means of a rope.

Dale, still without anti-smoke apparatus, had to grope his way through smoke and debris. The last twisted vertical ladder down which he went was far short of the deck' below. Dale heard the cries of those who were trapped, so he just closed his eyes and jumped. There was a chance that the deck might not have held under him; but his luck was in and it held. He helped to get out two dockers.

The citation also stated: “Though unaware of the full damage which was caused to the ship, Dale well knew he was facing the gravest danger.” Engine-room Artificer Second Class William Vaughan, Auckland, and Stoker First Class Earnest Valetine, Wanganui, were mentioned in dispatches for bravery in saving life after the explosion.