Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War O.B.E. and Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea group of six awarded to Captain William Douglas Wilson, Merchant Navy, for services in saving the S.S. Twickenham, 15 July 1943

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea, silver (Captain W. D. Wilson, S.S. “Twickenham”, 15th July 1943) mounted for wear, nearly extremely fine (6) £1400-1800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of Life Saving Awards formed by The Late W.H. Fevyer.

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O.B.E. London Gazette 16 May 1944. ‘Captain William Douglas Wilson, Master’. ‘The ship, sailing in convoy, was torpedoed. She was badly damaged and began to settle rapidly. As the bulkheads were giving way, the ship was abandoned and the crew taken aboard a vessel which was standing by. The ship remained afloat however and the following morning the Master and a skeleton crew reboarded her. Repeated attempts were made to steer the damaged vessel but without success. Two days later efforts to take her in tow were made but these also failed. The Master and his party remained on board, and, on the following day, a tug arrived and took the ship in tow. After five days the tug developed boiler trouble and was forced to return to port for repairs. Determined efforts to save the ship were continued and two days later, she proceeded slowly under her own power. The weather conditions, which had been bad, then improved and good progress was made. There was constant danger of the ship foundering, as much of the forepart had dropped away but, by jettisoning one of the anchors and some cable, speed was increased and, after a further five days steaming, the ship was brought safely to port.

The Master displayed outstanding courage, skill and seamanship throughout and, by his determination, brought his seriously damaged ship safely to port under her own power after sixteen days of dangers and difficulties. ....’

Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea Lloyd’s List and Shipping Gazette 5 September 1944.

The S.S. Twickenham was a British cargo vessel of 4,826 tons. She was torpedoed by the U.135 in the North Atlantic on 15 July 1943. After heroic efforts the ship was brought into the port at Dakar on 31 July. For their services in saving their vessel, the Captain and the Chief Engineer were awarded the O.B.E.; the Chief Officer, the M.B.E., and the Carpenter, the B.E.M. Both the Captain and the Chief Engineer were additionally awarded the Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery. Sold with copied research.