Orders, Decorations and Medals

A British Empire Medal pair awarded to John James Dalziel, Carpenter aboard the S.S. Loch Ranza, bombed by Japanese aircraft and destroyed, 3 February 1942
British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (John J[am]es Dalziel); Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea, silver, unnamed, first with edge bruising, about very fine, second nearly extremely fine (2) £450-500

B.E.M. (Civil Division) London Gazette 21 July 1942. ‘Shortly after leaving an Eastern port, the ship was very heavily attacked by Japanese aircraft with machine guns and bombs. Two bombs hit, setting fire to the cargo, and breaking the water service pipe. The Second Officer who was in charge of one of the fire parties showed the highest courage and devotion to duty. He was blown into the air by the blast of a bomb and wounded by splinters but refused to be treated and carried on with his vital work. The Carpenter also did much good work in fire-fighting. Throughout the attacks he remained on the exposed fore-castle, standing by the anchors’.

Lloyd’s Bravery Medal Lloyd’s List and Shipping Gazette 16 December 1943.

Second Officer John Inglis was awarded the George Medal for this action. Captain Archibald Mackinlay, Master of Loch Ranza; Second Officer Inglis and Carpenter Dalziel were each awarded the Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea.

Erroneously named ‘Jeremiah Dalziel’ in the gazette of 21 July 1942; a correction was announced in the gazette of 13 October 1942.

The British steamship Loch Ranza, 4958 tons, of the Glasgow United Shipping Co., was bombed and set on fire by Japanese aircraft on 3 February 1942 on a voyage from Singapore to Batavia. The burning ship was beached and blew up shortly afterwards. Five men were killed on board and two others died in hospital at Palembang (ref. Dictionary of Disasters at Sea).

With a small watercolour on card titled, ‘Merchant under Japanese attack’, by ‘A. R. Fisk’; some copied research.