According to several family members,
Dad received his BEM
largely because of his efforts to make an escort destroyer
seaworthy.
Apparently a convoy was ready to sail, but the ASDIC on board the
destroyer
was u/s and no dry dock was available. Dad and another sailor,
wearing diving
gear, took 30 minute turns at entering the icy waters of St.
Johns harbour to
make repairs to this ship. The repairs were successful and
she sailed with the
convoy within two weeks as opposed to the projected six
weeks, thereby
providing the very necessary protection for the convoy.
Dad later
collapsed in the
street, due to his exposure to the frigid waters, and was
hospitalised.
|
