A posthumous Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea awarded to Third Radio Officer Colin St. Kieran Begdon, Merchant Navy, who remained at his post, thereby sacrificing his life, on the S.S. Tanda, 15 July 1944

Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea, silver (Third Radio Officer C. St. K. Begdon, S.S. “Tanda”, 15th July 1944) in case of issue, extremely fine £1400-1800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Life Saving Awards formed by The Late W.H. Fevyer.

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King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct London Gazette 4 September 1945.

Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea Lloyd’s List and Shipping Gazette 11 December 1947. ‘Colin St. Kieran Begdon, deceased, Third Radio Officer, S.S. Tanda’. ‘The ship, sailing alone with over two hundred passengers and crew, was torpedoed amidships during darkness. The steam and electricity failed, and as it was obvious that the ship would sink, orders to abandon her were immediately given. The passengers and crew got away in boats and were subsequently rescued. The vessel sank within 15 minutes of being torpedoed. First Radio Officer Harris, Second Radio Officer Humphrey and Third Radio Officer Begden displayed outstanding courage and devotion to duty. Although they could have left the ship, they chose to remain on board in an effort to send out a distress message, thereby sacrificing their lives’.

The S.S. Tanda, a passnger cargo liner of 7,147 tons, of the Eastern & Australian Steamship Company, was sailing from Melbourne to Bombay when she was torpedoed and sunk by a Japanese submarine on 15 July 1944, east of the Laccadive Islands. 18 of the crew and one passenger were lost. For their self-sacrifice, the three radio officers were each awarded a posthumous Commendation and the Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery.