Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea awarded to Cook & Steward Edgar Chalker, Merchant Navy, awarded the B.E.M. for services in the ‘George Cross’ action aboard the S.S. Cormount, 21 June 1941

Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea, silver (Cook & Steward Edgar Chalker, S.S. “Cormount”, 21st June 1941) 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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B.E.M. London Gazette 23 September 1941.

Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea, Lloyd’s List & Shipping Gazette Not published.

Edgar Chalker, Cook & Steward, Cormount. ‘The ship was attacked 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’.

The S.S. Cormount, a British collier of 2,841 tons, was attacked by aircraft on 21 June 1941. For their gallant services in beating off the attack, Gunner Henry Herbert Reed, Royal Artillery, was awarded a posthumous George Cross; Chief Officer Clifford Walter Davies was awarded a M.B.E. and Cook & Steward Edgar Chalker, a B.E.M. All three were awarded the Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery.