A fine Second World War B.E.M. awarded to Lance-Corporal F. V. Yates, South Staffordshire Regiment, an early military supplied gunner who remained at his post aboard the steamer Worthtown during incessant bombing raids off Dunkirk, right up until the moment she was ‘smashed beyond all recognition’

British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Francis Victor Yates), edge bruise, good very fine £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to Merchant Seamen and D.E.M.S. Gunners.

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B.E.M. London Gazette 26 July 1940. The joint citation states:

‘’Worthtown was armed with a 12-pounder Bren gun (sic) and a Lewis gun. She reached Boulogne with Army stores for Boulogne and Dunkerque, and began unloading under heavy fire. To save her cargo, the Master cast off and put out to sea. In the Channel two Heinkels attacked, and one, swopping very low, was shot down by machine-gun layer Jensen, and fell close to Worthtown. Though bombed, the vessel was brought alongside the quay at Dunkerque. For four days there were bombing raids, and Captain Thomas’s ship was hit, set on fire, and sunk. All day long Jensen and Yates manned their guns.

When Worthtown was sunk, the Master - for transit in whose ship 350 British troops had been waiting in a dug-out on the quay - waited to nightfall, then went to the dug-out and led these troops to Malo sands four miles way. There they scattered and awaited daylight, under fire from machine-guns. Next morning in single file they regained the Dunkerque pier, and were taken aboard and landed in England by a destroyer. Captain Thomas showed fine gallantry and determination, both in his ship and ashore. The gunners served their guns undaunted throughout the day-long bombing and machine-gun attacks.’

Francis Victor Yates, who was born in Canada, was serving as a Lance-Corporal in the South Staffordshire Regiment shortly before being ordered to join the Worthtown in early May 1940 - as an ‘A.A. Gunner. Paid by Military’ (official records refer). In pre-D.E.M.S. days, the Army often provided a pair of men to man lighter weapons on merchant ships, Yates being joined by Private G. W. Mallett of the same regiment; sold with copied research.