Auction Catalogue

25 September 2008

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations and Medals

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

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Lot

№ 158

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25 September 2008

Hammer Price:
£2,700

A Second World War O.B.E., Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea group of eight awarded to Chief Engineer Officer Thomas Cuthbert Gorman, Merchant Navy, for high courage and good seamanship when in an open boat for 49 days following the sinking of the Peterton, 1942

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; British War and Victory Medals (M.32261 E.R.A. 5, R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45; Coronation 1953; Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea, silver (Chief Engineer Officer T. C. Gorman, S.S. “Peterton”, 17th September 1942) mounted for wear, nearly extremely fine (8) £1800-2200

Ref. Spink Exhibition 1985, No. 80.

O.B.E.
London Gazette 6 July 1943. ‘The ship, sailing alone, was torpedoed and sank within five minutes. Owing to the heavy list and rapid sinking only one boat could be launched, and many of the crew had to jump into the water. Another boat, however, floated clear when the ship sank and a number of men got into it. When the Master was taken prisoner by the submarine, the Second Officer, who was in the Master’s boat, took charge, and with twenty-one of the crew made a voyage of forty-nine days before being rescued. Although rationing was introduced from the beginning the food was finished on the thirty-fourth day, and there was only a reduced water ration for the last fifteen days. Throughout this ordeal, Second Officer Howes displayed sustained courage of a high order. It was mainly due to his inspiring leadership and unremitting efforts that all the occupants of the boat were brought to safety.

The Chief Engineer Officer showed great courage and ably assisted the Second Officer. His knowledge of sailing and handling the boat contributed greatly to the successful termination of the voyage. Towards the end, when there seemed to be little prospect of survival, Mr Howes and Mr Gorman, by their splendid example, kept up the spirits of the others and never allowed hope to fade.

Able Seaman Nock displayed courage and devotion to duty throughout and was of great help in the working and handling of the boat’.

Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea,
Lloyd’s List and Shipping Gazette 14 October 1943. ‘Thomas Cuthbert Gorman, Chief Engineer Officer, Peterton’. ‘The ship was torpedoed while sailing alone and sank within five minutes. The crew got away in two boats, and, when the master was taken prisoner by the submarine, Second Officer Howes took charge of his boat. He rationed the supplies from the beginning, but the food was finished on the 34th day, and for the last 15 days they existed on a reduced water ration. Throughout the 49 days they were in the boat Second Officer Howes showed inspiring courage and endurance, and his fine leadership was responsible for all the occupants of the boat reaching safety. Chief Engineer Officer Gorman displayed high courage, and his good seamanship and handling of the boat was of the utmost assistance to the second officer. These two officers set a magnificent example and kept up the spirits of their comrades even when their chance of survival seemed impossible’.

The S.S.
Peterton was a British cargo ship of 5,221 tons. She was sunk in the North Atlantic by the U.109 on 17 September 1942. For their 49 day ordeal in an open boat, Second Officer Howes was awarded the George Medal; Chief Engineer Officer Gorman the O.B.E. and Able Seaman Nock the B.E.M. Both Howes and Gorman were also awarded the Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery.