British Empire Medal, Civil Division (JOHN HENRY DANIEL) Hand engraved naming; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45 - unnamed as awarded
John Henry Daniel was born in Swansea on 6 May 1900. He served with the Merchant Navy in WWI and was awarded the British War Medal and Merchant Marine Medal, neither of which are with the group. He was awarded the BEM 1943 when his vessel, MV Port Victor was torpedoed and sank.
At 00.30 hours on 1 May 1943, U-107 fired a spread of two stern torpedoes at the unescorted Port Victor (Master William Gordon Higgs, OBE) northeast of the Azores, which was zigzagging directly into a good firing position in about 1000 meters distance. The ship carried 65 passengers (including 23 women and children), stopped after one torpedo hit amidships and the crew made the lifeboats ready to be launched. After a first coup de grâce hit amidships at 00.36 hours the boats were lowered, but when she was hit in the bow by a second coup de grâce at 00.45 hours two lifeboats were destroyed and the occupants killed. The vessel developed a list to port but still sent radio messages until being hit underneath the bridge by a third coup de grâce, which broke the ship in two and caused her to sink. Twelve crew members, two gunners and five passengers were lost. The master, 74 crew members, ten gunners and 60 passengers were picked up by HMS Wren (U 28) (LtCdr R.M. Aubrey, RN) and landed at Liverpool.
The London Gazette entry for his award, dated 31 August 1943, reads as follows:
"The ship, sailing alone, was torpedoed. The explosion caused severe damage, wrecked two of the boats and stopped the engines. When it was apparent the vessel could not be saved, orders for abandonment were given. The boats were kept together and the next day the survivors were picked up,
Able Seaman Daniel left one of the boats to take charge of another which was not under control. There were two dead in this boat and several seriously wounded. After burying the bodies he rendered first aid to the injured and then skilfully handled the boat until the occupants were rescued. His leadership and cheerful spirit set a splendid example."
The Salisbury Times of 4 February 1944 carried the following article:
"Mr John Henry Daniel, 2 St Edmund's, Church Street, Salisbury is going to Buckingham Palace to receive from the King the Britiish Empire Medal for saving a boats crew consisting of 15 men, 8 women and 4 children when his ship was torpedoed in the Atlantic on 30th April coming home from the Argentine. They were picked up 26 days later by a destroyer. This the sixth time Mr Daniel's ship has been lost. Five ships were torpedoed and one ship was sunk by bombing. In a letter written in May last his captain says, "I shall be glad to have you in my ship again. My salute to a true-blue merchant seaman."
His address at the time of the award was 16A, Culver Street, Bristol.
Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated. Sold with some research.
