Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Second World War B.E.M. group of six awarded to Stoker 1st Class J. McCormick, Royal Navy, who rescued his shipmates after H.M.S. Albatross was torpedoed off Normandy in August 1944
British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Sto. 1 Cl. James McCormick, D/KX. 114836 R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Pacific Star, clasp, Burma; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, generally good very fine (6) £400-500

B.E.M. London Gazette 6 February 1945. The original recommendation states: ‘H.M. Ship was torpedoed while off Courseulles on 11 August 1944. She was gravely damaged. 66 of her company were killed and 58 wounded. Her spaces became filled with Nitric gas from the warhead of the torpedo, and with Carbon Monoxide. It was likely that unless instant and efficient measures were taken, her already heavy casualties would swell, and that she herself would sink. That she did not do so, and that the casualties were not greater, was due to the excellence of her damage control. Four men, Solt, Edwards, Martin and McCormick, ably seconded the brave and skilful work of the surviving Engineer Officers and Shipwrights in preventing the ship foundering and in the rescue of their shipmates ... McCormick showed bravery and hardihood in descending an ammunition hand-up to enter a gas filled mess deck, and although himself partially gassed, in returning frequently by various other routes to rescue men from flooded and gassed mess decks.’

The Albatross was an old seaplane carrier converted for use as a repair ship off the Normandy beachhead, and lent valuable service during the great north-easterly storm of D plus 13 to D plus 16. Operation Neptune, by Captain Kenneth Edwards, R.N. states: ‘The Albatross alone saved 79 landing craft from probable total loss and restored 132 vessels to fighting service. In order to accomplish this task in the prevailing weather the ship had frequently to go very close inshore in the eastern assault area, where she frequently came under heavy shell fire from the German batteries and mobile guns. These scored a few hits on her superstructure, but did no great harm and the Albatross continued to give invaluable service off the Normandy coast until she was seriously damaged.’

James McCormick was invested with his B.E.M. at Buckingham Palace on 27 March 1945; sold with full copied research, including his Captain’s report and recommendations for fellow crew.