Sea Gallantry Medal GVR (JOHN THOMSPON BAKER. "CZARINA" 28TH DECEMBER 1923); Shipwrecked Fishermen & Mariners Benevolent Society Medal in silver with ‘double dolphin’ riband bar (JOHN T. BAKER. (CHIEF OFFICER) S.S. "CAIRNMONA". DECEMBER.28.1923.)
‘On the 28th December 1923 the barquentine Czarina of St. John’s, Newfoundland, was in distress in the North Atlantic in a heavy gale with hurricane force; her signals of distress were observed and answered about 10 p.m. by the Cairnmona, whose master manœuvred as closely as possible to the Czarina, and upon hailing the distressed crew ascertained that the only life-boat had been smashed, and lost overboard, together with all the sails and various spars.
In spite of the very dark night and heavy seas which were running, a life-boat was got away from the Cairnmona in charge of Mr Baker and manned by the men named, proceeded with great difficulty to the shipwrecked vessel, which was rolling very heavily, and succeeded in taking off the crew of eight hands’. (Ref. Gallantry, p.405/406).
Chief Officer John Thompson Baker, Carpenter Edmund Smith and Able Seamen Robert Inglis, Daniel Gimlet and William Stewart were each awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal in silver. All except Stewart were awarded their medal by the King at an investiture on 12 February 1925.
The Newfoundland Government awarded a piece of plate to Captain John T. Berlin, Master of the Cairnmona; a pair of binoculars to Chief Officer Baker and a sum of money to the four ratings.
The rescue was chosen by the Shipwrecked Fishermen and Mariners Royal Benevolent Society as the most outstanding rescue by a British ship during the year 1923 and the officers concerned received the “Emile Robin” award.
He passed away in South Shields in December 1960
Baker was also awarded the British War Medal and Mercantile Marine Medal for WWI which are not with this group.
Sold with copied research. Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated.
