Orders, Decorations and Medals

An immediate D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Leading Seaman C.W. Manchip for bravery during the withdrawal from Crete

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL, G.VI.R. (P/JX. 142373, A/L. Smn.); 1939-45 STAR; AFRICA STAR; BURMA STAR; DEFENCE AND WAR MEDALS; NAVAL L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue (D.S.M., P.O., H.M.S. Vengeance) mounted as worn, very fine or better (7)

D.S.M., London Gazette, 8 January 1942. The following recommendation was extracted from official records: 'Leading Seaman Manchip was attached to the party for unloading merchant ships from the A.L.C's and M.L.C's at Suda Bay. He worked cheerfully and with exemplary conduct when under constant bombing and machine gun fire. Manchip showed considerable courage when acting as Lieutenant Commander Faning's coxwain in a Greek tug during the moving of S.S. Logician from the pier to a safe anchorage under heavy bombing and machine gun fire, the Greek crew having left the bridge. '

Lieutenant Commander M.R.E. Faning was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for the same incident. His recommendation, taken from the same source, gives further information:'Lieutenant Commander Faning was in charge of M.L.C's and A.L.C's unloading Merchant Ships at Suda Bay. He operated his craft under the most severe air attacks and showed outstanding zeal and determination. Particular instance was at about 1600 on the 7th May when he took charge of a Greek tug and assisted by Lieutenant Salt in another tug, he moved S.S. Logician who had just been hit by bombs from the pier to a safe anchorage when under constant bombing and machine gun fire. A further instance was when S.S. Logician had dragged past the boom in a fresh westerly wind, Lieutenant Commander Faning anchored the ship under heavy machine gun fire.'