Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A S.G.M. awarded to Able Seaman A. Notley, S.S. Armadale Castle, for rescuing the crew of the Bluff off the South African coast on 9 June 1929

Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., bronze (Albert Notley “Bluff” 9th. June 1929) nearly extremely fine £300-£400

S.G.M. London Gazette 7 February 1930: Able Seaman Albert Notley, of the S.S. Armadale Castle of London (in a joint citation with Fourth Officer Edward George Fullick; Boatswain’s Mate Frank Richard Dominey; Able Seamen Harry Henbest, Henry James Parnell, Leslie Thomas Pattinson, Joseph Edward Purkiss, George Stewart, William Albert Taylor, Norman Ward, Richard Walter Watton, and Herbert Thomas Mark Willcock; and Lamptrimmer Henry Leale)
‘In recognition of the services rendered in rescuing the crew of the fishing vessel Bluff of Cape Town, which was in distress off the South African coast on the 9th June 1929.’

‘The fishing vessel Bluff, of Cape Town, left Durban on 8 June 1929 for the fishing grounds off North Sands and on the same day ran into squally weather. Early next day the wind had increased to gale force and a heavy sea swept the vessel, smashing the fishing gear. Shortly afterwards, heavy seas washed three of the crew overboard; two succeeded in regaining the vessel and the other managed to cling to a raft which had broken adrift and was picked up later on the beach. A course was then set for Durban, but a mooring wire fouled the propeller and stopped the engines. The crew were unable to clear the obstruction. The starboard anchor was let go, but lost.
After drifting for a while, the Bluff let go the port anchor and succeeded in anchoring some two and a half miles from the shore. About 7:30 a.m. the Armadale Castle, en route from East London to Durban, was attracted by signals of distress made by the Bluff. Heavy seas were still running, but the Armadale Castle was manoeuvred into such a position that a lifeboat could be sent away. This boat was in command of Mr. Fullick, the Fourth Officer, and was manned by Boatswain’s Mate Frank Richard Dominey; Able Seamen Harry Henbest, Henry James Parnell, Leslie Thomas Pattinson, Joseph Edward Purkiss, George Stewart, William Albert Taylor, Norman Ward, Richard Walter Watton, and Herbert Thomas Mark Willcock; and Lamptrimmer Henry Leale. The approach to the wreck was very difficult, but Fullick succeeded in getting alongside and took off 17 of the crew of the Bluff before he was compelled to return to the Armadale Castle, as the lifeboat had shipped so much water as to be in danger of sinking.
On return to the Armadale Castle, the lifeboat was taken on board and the steamer was manoeuvred to a more favourable position in the hope of making a further trip to the Bluff, as there were five men still on board that vessel. Fullick again took charge of the boat, which was manned by the same crew. By skilful seamanship, he took the boat a second time alongside the Bluff and rescued the remainder of the crew. Great risk was incurred and the lifeboat had to be abandoned as the Armadale Castle was drifting perilously near the shore.’ (The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett refers).

Albert Notley was presented with his Sea Gallantry Medal by the Superintendent of the Mercantile Marine Office in Southampton on 30 July 1930.