Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War B.E.M. group of four awarded to Donkeyman Lucrezio Galea, Merchant Navy

British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Lucrezio Galea); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, these unnamed, extremely fine (4) £200-300

B.E.M. London Gazette 10 January 1941.

Lucrezio Galea served as Donkeyman aboard the S.S. Whitecrest, of the Hall Brothers Steamship Company, Newcastle-on-Tyne.

Recommendation: ‘When the ship was attacked by aircraft (on 4 August 1940) a bomb holed her side, and came to rest on the stoke-hold plates without exploding. It lay close to the furnaces in front of the centre boiler. The Chief Engineer had it moved away from the fires so that steam could be maintained. It was decided to fit a hatch cover over the hole in the ship’s side. While this was being got ready the Donkeyman tried to get the bomb lifted through a ventilator, but could not, so the Chief Engineer decided, as it had not yet exploded, to leave it till the repairs to the ship’s side were finished. A stage was rigged overside and the Chief Engineer, perched on the top of the starboard boiler, and continually drenched with water, fitted and bolted a hatch cover. The Donkeyman helped the Chief Engineer throughout.’

The Chief Engineer, Mr James Davison, was awarded the O.B.E. For the same action, the Fourth Officer received a Commendation.

Third Engineer Officer Lucrezio Galea, of the S.S. Whitecrest, died on 24 February 1942. On 12 February 1942 the Whitecrest left Cardiff for Buenos Aires with a cargo of coal. On the 19th she lost contact with her convoy during a heavy gale and was never seen again. Officers and crew numbering 47 were lost (Dictionary of Disasters at Sea refers).

With original Central Chancery letter, dated 26 August 1942, inviting Mrs Gladys Galea, as her late husband’s next-of-kin, to receive his B.E.M. With copied recommendation and other papers.