An extremely rare Second World War Malta convoys D.S.O., M.B.E. group of nine awarded to Captain G. B. Pinkney, Merchant Navy: decorated for his services as Chief Officer and then Master of the Port Chalmers in operations “Halberd” and Pedestal”, his D.S.O. was among the first gazetted to a Merchant Officer following a change of policy by the Admiralty’s Honours & Awards Committee

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R. 1st issue, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse of the suspension bar officially dated ‘1942’; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; British War and Mercantile Marine Medals 1914-18 (Henry G. B. Pinkney); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, the fourth with officially re-impressed naming, good very fine or better (9) £4000-5000

D.S.O. London Gazette 10 November 1942:
‘For bravery and dauntless resolution when an important convoy was fought through to Malta in the face of relentless attacks by day and night from enemy submarines, aircraft and surface forces.’

M.B.E. London Gazette 9 June 1942. Joint citation with his Master and Chief Engineer:
‘The ship was frequently attacked by enemy aircraft. The Master showed courage and good seamanship and it was due to his handling of the vessel that she was brought safely to port. The Chief Officer’s organisation of the defences was outstanding and the Chief Engineer proved equal to all demands made on his department.’

Henry George Bacon Pinkney, who was born in Auckland, New Zealand in November 1898, passed his examination for 2nd Mate in October 1919, shortly after active service in the Mercantile Marine in the Great War, latterly in the S.S. Port Lincoln. Gaining his 1st Mate’s certificate in February 1922, and qualifying as a Master (Steamships) in November 1926, he was employed by the Port Line on the Australia run between the Wars, and joined the Port Fairy shortly after the renewal of hostilities.

Removing to the Port Chalmers in March 1941, as Chief Officer, he found himself rapidly employed on the Malta run, initially in operation “Substance” that July, but it was for his subsequent deeds in “Halberd” in September, when his ship, and the City of Pretoria, made the passage from Malta to Gibraltar unescorted, that he was awarded the M.B.E. The official report submitted by the Flag Officer Commanding Force “H” states: ‘Port Chalmers and the City of Pretoria were reported by Italian aircraft at 1200 hours on the 27th, shortly after leaving Malta. No enemy surface craft or aircraft were seen until 2320, when what was believed to be an E-Boat was sighted by Port Chalmers, who was following in the wake of the City of Pretoria.

he enemy craft first sighted by Port Chalmers was lying stopped 3-400 yards on the port beam of City of Pretoria, who saw nothing except gunfire from her consort. Port Chalmers sheered off to starboard and 10 minutes after the first sighting heard E-Boat engines approaching from the port quarter; she turned to starboard to bring the enemy astern, and opened fire with her 4-inch gun at the enemy’s bow wave. The enemy opened fire at Port Chalmers with her machine-guns, but scored no hits, and after Port Chalmers had fired six rounds of 4-inch, the enemy crossed astern and made off. Port Chalmers then resumed her station astern of City of Pretoria. This action took place 15 miles S.S.W. of Pantellaria.’

Here then evidence of Pinkney’s outstanding organisation of his ship’s defences, which was just as well for Port Chalmers was regularly visited by enemy aircraft during the same trip. As it is, Gibraltar was reached on the 30th, his Master and Chief Engineer receiving O.B.Es and himself the M.B.E.

“Pedestal”

But a far greater challenge awaited him in August 1942, by which stage he had been appointed Master of the Port Chalmers - namely the most important Malta convoy of them all - operation “Pedestal”: of the 14 merchantmen that set out, nine were sunk and three damaged, while the Senior Service lost an aircraft carrier, two cruisers and one destroyer, as well as having another half a dozen ships damaged.

Given such grim statistics, it is rare to be able to relate that the Port Chalmers was one of four merchantmen to reach Malta, and one of just two that arrived undamaged, testament indeed to the seamanship of her Master - also aboard was Commander A. J. Venables, R.N. (Retd.), the Convoy’s Commodore, who later reported that the ship’s company ‘deserved the highest praise for their magnificent conduct and coolness under most trying circumstances, as the continual air bombing, always most accurate, was a great test for high morale, especially when the enemy had the sky to himself. The evening of the 12th was a severe trial to all, as the escort afloat had completely vanished at a critical moment after the disaster at the entrance to Skerki Channel ... ’

A view shared by Pinkney, who, in recommending his Chief Enginer and 2nd Officer for decorations, stated, ‘Enemy action commenced on the 11th August and was almost continuous until noon on the 13th ... by submarine, bombing and torpedo bombing’. And so it was, from the moment the convoy arrived in the Straits of Gibraltar, an early victim to torpedo attack being the aircraft carrier Eagle - she went down in 15 minutes. And then as related by Venables, further disaster struck at the entrance of the Skerki Channel - Port Chalmers was following the cruiser Cairo, and very nearly rammed her when she slowed after a torpedo hit, Pinkney just managing to get enough power astern before sliding past. While on the 13th, ‘Port Chalmers experienced extraordinary good fortune in just missing the bombs time after time’, so too a torpedo:

‘Pathfinder’s vigorous and spirited action had thrown the Italian pilots completely out of their stride and most of their torpedoes missed the ships well clear. Only one was accurate and this became entangled by its fin in the starboard paravane of Port Chalmers’ minesweeping gear. This left Captain Pinkney in an unenviable position with the live torpedo tied close to his side and threatening to swing in and detonate against her thin plates at any moment. Somewhat at a loss at this unexpected situation, Pinkney flashed the nearest escorts for advice. Commander Gibbs suggested that he should cut the paravane wire and swing the helm hard over. In the end the clump of chain for’ard was unshackled and let go and the derrick was then let go. Their dangerous companion then sank quickly as the Port Chalmers drew clear. Some minutes later it exploded on the bottom - in about 400 fathoms - and although the ship was well clear Captain Pinkney described the uplift of the explosion as tremendous.’

Pinkney was awarded an immediate D.S.O. and, in addition to D.S.Cs to his Chief Engineer and 2nd Officer, his crew also won seven D.S.Ms and three “mentions”. In May 1943, he removed to the Port Campbell, aboard which ship he served for the remainder of the War, and he retired from the service in May 1953; sold with his original D.S.O. warrant.