Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Captain

Unit:

s.s. Heronspool, Sir R. Ropner & Co. Ltd. (Pool Shipping), British Merchant Navy

Awarded on:

December 15th, 1939

Citation:
"Towards sunset "Heronspool" observed a U-Boat shelling a tanker five or six miles away. The Master at once altered course and closed up his gun's crew. The night fell clear and starry, but there was no moon.
About 8.30 the U-Boat signalled to her and came into view some 400 yards on the port quarter. "Heronspool" fired two shots and the U-Boat dived. Course was altered again. The enemy re-appeared about 11 and on two further shots being fired once more submerged. Near midnight there was a loud explosion close on the starboard beam. The U-Boat was dodging from quarter to quarter, and four more shots were fired.
About 1 o'clock "Heronspool" was finally overhauled, after a stern chase of seven hours, and torpedoed from before the beam. Among the last three to leave the ship were the Master and the Gunlayer, who had bravely fought their ship through half the starlit night to save her and sink the enemy. "Heronspool" had not the speed of the U-Boat and the one chance of escape was a direct hit, for which in a night action there was slight hope."