Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World G.M. group of six awarded to Sergeant F. C. Hodgson, Royal Engineers, who was decorated for his part in the rescue operations following the explosion of a merchantman in the Port of Bari in April 1945
George Medal, G.VI.R., 1st issue (1877511 Sgt. Frederick C. Hodgson, R.E.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf, nearly extremely fine (6) £1800-2200

G.M. London Gazette 9 November 1945:
‘In recognition of conspicuous gallantry in carrying out hazardous work in a very brave manner.’

The joint recommendation states:
‘At Bari, on 9 April 1945, the S.S. Charles Henderson, with some 2500 tons of bombs exploded whilst being discharged at No. 14 berth.
The force of the explosion, which occurred in the after hatches, forced the fore end of the ship through the water until it rested at an angle of about 30 degrees in a partly submerged condition some ten feet from the quay, which was covered in debris. A fire was burning on this forward section.
The Fire Fighting Service was not able to cope with the fire effectively from the quay and Sergeant McGhee secured a ladder, placed it across the water gap, and got a hose on board. Sergeant McGhee was the first man on board the burning ship and Sergeant Dalgarno and Sergeant Hodgson quickly followed his lead.
The dock water was studded with patches of burning oil and debris and there was a petrol ship and three ships containing ammunition in the immediate vicinity on which fires were raging. Sergeant McGhee directed water from the hose on to the fire although he knew that No. 1 hatch contained an undischarged quantity of 500lb. bombs; as a stevedore he fully comprehended the danger of these exploding.
The three Sergeants then heard cries for help from below. Without hesitation they descended the hold ladder into the lower hold of No. 1, and, with assistance which had by that time arrived, succeeded in extricating two injured Italian stevedores who were still alive. Their efforts were successful in getting each of them strapped vertically on to a wicker stretcher, which was handled by ropes up to the sloping deck and then lowered on to the quay.
Their courage and initiative in getting to the rest of the fire undoubtedly prevented the explosion of the bombs in No. 1 hold, which apart from the certain death of the two Italian labourers would have caused serious casualties and immensely damaged the efforts being made to control the major fires from raging.
Sergeant McGhee was the instigator and organiser of the joint action - although this does not diminish the courage of Sergeant Dalgarno and Sergeant Hodgson, who promptly and voluntarily followed his lead. Sergeant Dalgarno’s and Hodgson’s efforts materially assisted in putting out the explosion of the bombs below, which would have led to further serious casualties and would have stopped the efforts going on all around to put out the fires raging.’

Mention in despatches London Gazette 14 January 1944 (Middle East).

Frederick Charles Hodgson was serving in No. 5 Port Operating Group, R.E. at Bari at the time of the above related incident - McGhee was originally recommended for a G.C., but this was reduced to a G.M. The same recommendation lists four other military personnel for M.B.Es and another one for the B.E.M. Sold with newspaper cuttings dating from the late 1980s and early 1990s, the whole detailing a successful action brought by ex-service personnel who suffered burns from exploding mustard gas shells on the same occasion; also see Lot 1089.