Coker, Thomas C.T. (Tom)

Operation Postmaster (1942)

Nationality:: British

Biography

Tugmaster Coker was the captain of the government owned tug Vulcan, which transported volunteers for Operation Postmaster in January 1942. His tug was tasked with tugging the Italian cargo ship Duchessa d'Aosta from the port of Santa Isabel and succeeded in bringing it back to Lagos.

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Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE, Civil Division)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Tugmaster
Unit:: ST Vulcan, H.M. Nigerian Marine
Awarded on:: 1942
Awarded for:: Operation Postmaster

"Mr Coker was in charge of the tug, Vulcan, as tugmaster and as such conned and manoeuvred his ship throughout the operation. He displayed skill and courage of a very high orer indeed, bringing out a ten thousand ton ship through a narrow rock strewn channel and never once displayed the slightest trace of anxiety. Mr Coker contributed very largely to the success of the operation and it is not exaggerating in any way to say that his seamanship was inspired on that occasion and a great credit to the Nigerian Marine Service of which he is a member."

His OBE was not immediately gazetted due to security concerns.

Sources

- LETT, B.G., Ian Fleming and SOE's Operation POSTMASTER, Pen & Sword Military, 2012.