Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Great War S.G.M. group of five awarded to Sergeant L. Crossley, Highland Light Infantry, for his services in helping to extinguish the fires that burned for several days on H.M.T. Catonia, May 1917

Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., silver (Lee Crossley. H.M.T. “Caronia” May 1917); 1914-15 Star (187 Pte. L. Crossley, High. L.I.); British War and Victory Medals (187 Cpl. L. Crossley. High. L.I.); India General Service 1908-35, 1 clasp, Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919 (187 Sgt. L. Crossley, High. L.I.) very fine and better, the first rare to the Army, the last scarce to the Regiment (5) £1,000-£1,400

Provenance: Edrington Collection, 1980; W. H. Fevyer Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, September 2008.

27 Silver and 10 Bronze Sea Gallantry Medals were awarded to the British Army 1857 to 1923, 19 of which were for this action.

Lee Crossley was born in Rochdale, Lancashire, in 1894 and attested for the Highland Light Infantry. He served with the 11th Battalion during the Great War on the Western Front from 13 May 1915, and later transferred to the 1st Battalion. He was awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal in Silver for his gallantry aboard H.M. Transport Caronia which caught fire in May 1917 whilst at sea, the original Recommendation stating:
‘In May 1917 while HM Transport Caronia was at sea, a series of fires occurred in her bunkers. The crew endeavoured for over five days to extinguish the fire, the Master was obliged to ask for the assistance of the troops on board and a number of them volunteered to go into the bunkers, where they rendered valuable assistance in extinguishing the outbreak. The service on non-commissioned officers and men are reported as deserving of special recognition. Very considerable risk was incurred in rendering the services. Frequent explosions occurred and a number of men were seriously injured.’

The Ship’s Log, gives further details, and records that the first fire was reported on 20 May, and it took 11 days before they were all extinguished:
‘On 20th May 1917 at 0300 whilst sailing from Durban to Tunghi Bay No 2 Coal Bunker was discovered to be on fire, every effort was made to extinguish the flames. On 24th May at 2100 No 3 port Coal Bunker discovered to be on fire, steps taken immediately to extinguish the fire. On 25th May at 1430, Robert Jones Leading Fireman, Henry Foulkes and Henry Gilfoyle Trimmers received extensive burns as a result of an explosion in bunkers, treated in Ship’s Hospital, at 1900 William Clarke, Boilermaker was gassed the result of an explosion in Coal Bunker and treated in Ship’s Hospital. At 0630 on 26th May George Pattison, 4th Engineer was gassed, the result of an explosion in a Coal Bunker and treated in Ship’s Hospital, at 1300 two further crew members were admitted to the Ship’s Hospital one with injuries, one gassed, at 1400 and 1500 two crewmen were gassed from an explosion. On 27th May at 1000 William Penny 4th Engineer was gassed the result of an explosion, at 1030 two more crew were gassed in an explosion, at 1930 a Trimmer was injured by an explosion. At 1500 on 28th May two crewmen were transferred to another ship for onward passage to hospital at Durban. On 31st May at 1900 the Chief Engineer reported all fires now extinguished.’

Advanced Sergeant, Crossley went on to serve in India and took part in the Third Afghan War attached to the 2nd/6th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, one of 41 N.C.O.s and men of the Highland Light Infantry to receive this Medal. Discharged to the Reserve on 26 November 1919, he was presented with his Sea Gallantry Medal by H.M. King George V on 11 December 1919.

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