The Lloyd's War Medal for Bravery at Sea awarded to Cook and Steward E. Chalker, Merchant...

The Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea awarded to Cook and Steward E. Chalker, Merchant Navy, who was awarded the B.E.M. for services in the S.S. Cormount when she was attacked by an enemy aircraft on 21 June 1941; for his ‘supreme example of valour’ in the same action, Gunner H. H. Reed was awarded a posthumous George Cross Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea (Cook & Steward Edgar Chalker, S.S. “Cormount”, 21st June 1941) in case of issue, extremely fine £1,000-£1,400 --- Provenance: W. H. Fevyer Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, September 2008. B.E.M. London Gazette 23 September 1941 Edgar Chalker, Cook and Steward (in a joint citation with Gunner Henry Herbert Reed, Royal Artillery [awarded the George Cross], and Chief Officer Clifford Walter Davies [awarded the M.B.E.]): ‘The ship was attacked by enemy aircraft with cannon, machine-guns and bombs. She replied at once with her defensive armament manned by Chief Officer Davies, Gunner Reed, and Steward Chalker, and the men at the guns went on firing despite the hail of bullets and cannon shell. Gunner Reed behaved with the utmost gallantry. He was badly wounded but when the Master asked how he was, he said that he would carry on. Chief Officer Davies and Steward Chalker were also both wounded, but the brave defence put up by these men drove off the enemy and saved their ship. Gunner Reed then carried Chief Officer Davies from the bridge down two ladders to the deck below and placed him in shelter near a life-boat. Gunner Reed then died. It was afterwards found that his stomach had been ripped open by machine-gun bullets. By his gallant and utterly selfless action Gunner Reed saved the life of Chief Officer Davies.’ Reed, Davies, and Chalker were also all awarded the Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea, the citation giving some additional details: ‘The S.S. Cormount, a British collier of 2,841 tons, was attacked on 21 June 1941 by a German bomber from a low level with cannon, machine-guns and bombs. Two bombs struck the starboard side of the ship abreast the bridge; a fourth fell into the sea on the port side. She replied at once with her defensive armament, manned by the Chief Officer at the Schermuly Pistol, a Military Gunner at the Hotchkiss, and a Steward at the Lewis gun. They continued firing despite the hail of bullets and cannon shell. The Military Gunner behaved with unbelievable gallantry. He was badly wounded, but when the attack had ceased, and the Master asked how he was, he said he would carry on. He then insisted on lifting the Chief Officer, who was also badly wounded, from the bridge and down two ladders to the deck below, placing him in shelter near a lifeboat. He then died. It was afterwards found that his stomach had been ripped open by machine-gun bullets. The brave defence put up by these three men, all of whom were wounded, saved their ship, for the enemy was driven off before he could make a last and probably fatal assault. The action of the Military Gunner, utterly selfless and gallant, helped to save the life of the Chief Officer, and was the supreme example of valour in a valiant episode of the war at sea’.