Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War B.E.M. group of five awarded to Fireman W. C. Murdock, Merchant Navy, who, having been decorated for his gallant deeds on the occasion the Sourabaya was torpedoed and sunk in October 1942, went down with the Clan Heritage when she was torpedoed in September 1944

British Empire Medal, (Civil) G.VI.R., 1st issue (William Christie Murdock); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, the first with edge bruising, otherwise very fine and better (5) £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to Merchant Seamen and D.E.M.S. Gunners.

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B.E.M. London Gazette 25 May 1943. The joint citation states:

‘The ship was torpedoed. The fires were at once shut off, the engines were stopped, and the machinery spaces vacated. After inspecting the damage, the Master decided that there was a chance of saving the ship. He ordered the passengers and the majority of the crew into the boats and called for volunteers to operate the necessary pumps.

Officers Tyson, MacKenzie and MacDonald with Fireman Murdock and Sandilands volunteered for this dangerous task. Returning below, they re-lit the furnaces and proceeded to pump out two of the cargo holds. They also worked the engines as required by the Master in his attempt to place the ship in a favourable weather position. Conditions made this impossible and it was decided to try and pump out another tank, but the leakage into the engine-room was more than could be dealt with and eventually the fires were put out by the rising water. It was only then, with 16 feet of water in the engine-room, that those below relinquished their efforts and the ship had to be finally abandoned.

The Master showed splendid courage, resource and leadership throughout. After getting away as many as possible of those on board, he made determined efforts to save his ship in circumstances of great difficulty and danger.’

William Christie Murdock, was born at Kinross, Scotalnd, in August 1915, was serving as a Fireman aboard the Cairnglen on the outbreak of hostilities. Having then served in two or three other ships, he joined the Souraraya in April 1942, a short lived appointment as she was torpedoed and abandoned on 27 October 1942, during the course of Atlantic convoy HX. 212, after being hit by a torpedo from the U-436, commanded by Kapitanleutnant Seibicke - here, then, the occasion of his gallantry in volunteering to remain aboard and try and save the ship, as cited above.

Less than a month later Murdock was back at sea in the Kaolack, followed by an appointment in the Empire Darwin, but his next ship was to prove his last, namely the Empire Heritage. Torpedoed off Ireland by the U-482 on 8 September 1944, having so nearly completed her part in Atlantic convoy HXF. 305, she went down in three minutes, 56 of the 85 people aboard being lost, Murdock among them.

Aged 29 years, Murdock left a widow, Margaret, who received her gallant husband’s B.E.M. at a Buckingham Palace investiture held in July 1945; sold with a file of research.