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 DATE: October 30, 2003 FROM: Stephen Stratford Email: Click Here The following is a copy of the citation for the posthumous award of the Albert Medal to The Reverend Tanner: The Reverend Christopher Champain Tanner, Temporary Chaplain, R.N.V.R., H.M.S. Fiji, who, when H.M.S. Fiji was sunk in the Battle of Crete, stayed to save the wounded men from the sick bay, and was one of the last to leave the ship. While in the water he spent himself in helping men to rafts and floats, and, when the rescuing ship came up, in bringing over to her disabled men and such as could not swim. At length only one man remained to be brought across. Despite his exhaustion Mr. Tanner made a last effort to save him. He brought him across and saw him safely on board. But when hauled up himself he died within a few minutes. The citation was published in the London Gazette edition dated 28 April 1942 (page 1849). For a complete list of AM, EM and EGM recipients see the following book: "Heroic Endeavour" by D.V. Henderson, GM ISBN: 0-903754-39-8 Published by J.B. Hayward & Son Best wishes, Stephen Stratford Web Site: Click Here to visit Stephen's Study Room: British Military & Criminal History in the period 1900 to 1999 |
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The following email was received today. 20.1.01 To: internetaction@yahoo.com Subject: Padre.C.C.Tanner From: "Mari and Brian Walker" marbri@chariot.net.au Date: Sat, Jan 20 2001 8:23:42 PM +1030 Hello Gerry & Tom, I discovered the following on the Commonwealth War Graves Website. Padre C.C.Tanner - Albert Medal Winner In Memory of The Reverend Christopher Champain TANNER AM H.M.S.Fiji, R.N.V.R. who died aged 32 on Thursday, 22 May 1941. Chaplain Tanner B.A.(Cantab). The Revd. Tanner was the only England Rugby Player to win the Albert Medal during the Second World War. Remembered with honour. Potsmouth Naval Memorial, Hampshire, U.K. One of Dad's memories on return to Alexandria was talk among the survivors of the Ship's Padre being a hero. He dived into the sea to assist and rescue crew. Finally exhausted he drowned. A brave man. Brian Walker, Adelaide.   Born: 24 June, 1908 England Rugby Career: v. Scotland 1930-32 v. Ireland 1932 v. Wales 1932 v. South Africa 1932 (5 Caps) Cheltenham College; Pembroke College, Cambridge University (1930); Richmond; Barbarians; Gloucestershire. Church of England: Ordained 1935; curate at Farnham Royal, 1935-37; at St. Mary de Lode, Gloucester, 1937-39, rector of Haslemere, Aug. 1939. Served World War II as R.N.V.R. Chaplain from Jan. 1940. This information kindly provided by Ross Hamilton of the Rugby Football Union. Read an article about Padre Tanner on the Rugby Historical Society Website Click HERE to visit an excellent page which exploresPadre Tanner's Rugby career and his heroic Royal Navy Service. Click
HERE
to read a brief account of Padre Tanner'sheroism by John Cookson, Royal Marine, who witnessed the events of that fateful day in May of 1941 Compliments of: B.B.C. World War II - People's War  The following received today: August 3, 2001, from Brian Walker, HMSFA Co-Secretary, in Adelaide, Australia I have written poetry since I was a teenager. Not very much has survived the years. H.M.S. Fiji: Lost 22 May, 1941 At the end of the day When the roll is called And their names are read aloud We shall hear the hymn 'Abide with me' Above the waves of a restless sea. For they went to war And gave their lives For the likes of you and me So all stand and remember The bravery Of His Majesty's Ship Fiji And when the tumpets call And the mighty seas Give up their sacred dead Bring together the crew Of that fighting ship His Majesty's Ship Fiji Note from Webminder: Incidentally, Albert Medal winners exchanged their decorations for the George Cross in 1971. More information may be obtained from the Victoria and George Cross Association in London. Address & Telephone number available on the George Cross page Dear Tom It has been suggested to me that you would be interested in the gallantry awards made to some members of the crew of the Fiji. The details are as follows :- WAS AWARDED TO H.M.S. FIJI |
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HMS FIJI's SHIP'S COMPANY Captain P.B.R.W. William-Powlett D.S.O. Lieutenant P.J. Norton D.S.C. Sub Lieutenant S.S. Brooks D.S.C. Commander (E) J.E. Saunders Posthumous Mention in Despatches Lt.Commander D.A.H. Hornell Posthumous Mention in Despatches Reverend C.C. Tanner Albert Medal (Posthumous) Mr. T.A. Boustead. WOO. Mention in Despatches C.P.O. Tel. W.J. Hoskins D.S.M. C.E.R.A. P.R. Churcher D.S.M. E.A.3 D.S. Cross D.S.M. P.O. E.H. Wadsworth D.S.M. P.O. H.P. Booth D.S.M. L/SEA. C.E. Conduit D.S.M. CH.STKR. R.W. Paton Posthumous Mention in Despatches CH.MECH. W.M. Powell Posthumous Mention in Despatches O.A.1 J. Smart Posthumous Mention in Despatches L/SEA. F. Dyde Posthumous Mention in Despatches O.A.4 D.W.H. Freer Mention in Despatches L/SEA. L.C. Garnett Mention in Despatches L/COOK J.E. Shawyer Mention in Despatches AB R.G. Kitto Mention in Despatches BOY SMN. H.R. Butterfield Mention in Despatches Ronald Bennett |
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WHO ARE BURIED ASHORE ALEXANDRIA (HADRA) WAR MEMORIAL CEMETARY BULL, Petty Officer Stoker, ALFRED JAMES, P/KX 79104, HMS Fiji, Royal Navy 23.5.41 (2.C.5) CREED, Ordinary Seaman, GRAHAM, P/JX 215660, HMS Fiji, Royal Navy, 23.5.41, Age 25, Son of Charles Horace and Kate Eveline Creed, of Wollaston, Stourbridge, Worcs. (2.A.3) FARRANCE, Cook, JAMES THOMAS, P/MX 69014, HMS Fiji, Royal Navy, 23.5.41. (2.A.4) EL ALAMEIN WAR CEMETARY LAKE, Lieutenant, RICHARD HENRY, HMS Fiji, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, 23.5.41, Age 32, Son of Henry W. and Helene J. Lake ; husband of Una Lake (nee Simpson) of Esher, Surrey. (XX1X.F.3) MACHIN, Midshipman, MICHAEL NOEL, HMS Fiji, Royal Navy, 23.5.41, Age 17, Son of Lieutenant Commander, Noel Percy Machin, RN, and Joan Evelyn Machin, of Walton-on-the-Hill, Tadworth, Surrey. (XV111.D.17) McLEARIE, Able Seaman, ALLEN, P/SSX 23424, HMS Fiji, Royal Navy, 23.5.41, Age 21, Son of Allan McLearie and of Ruth McLearie (nee White), of Ayr. (XV111.A.7) PARROTT, Commissioned Gunner, CYRIL WILLIAM HENRY, HMS Fiji, Royal Navy, 23.5.41, Age 40, Son of Henry and Mary Jane Parrott, husband of Nellie Parrott, of Copnor, Portsmouth, Hants. (XXX11.B.1) TUPPER, Leading Stoker, FREDERICK, P/KX 88340, HMS Fiji, Royal Navy, 23.5.41, Age 24, Son of Frederick and Alice Tupper, of North Waltham, Hampshire. (XXX11.G.15) HALFAYA SOLLUM WAR CEMETARY HIGGINS, Ordinary Telegraphist, CHARLES ERIC, P/SSX 33315, HMS Fiji, Royal Navy, 23.5.41, Age 19, Son of Charles Ernest and Dorothy Winniefred Higgins, of Tooting, Surrey. (6.C.7) PHALERON WAR CEMETARY WARD, Leading Supply Assistant, RONALD, P/MX 61236, HMS Fiji, Royal Navy, 23.5.41, Age 20, Son of Frank and Bertha Ward, of Spalding, Lincolnshire. (22.A.8) SUDA BAY WAR CEMETARY KENYON, Mechanician 1st Class, SIDNEY, P/KX 78300, HMS Fiji, Royal Navy, 23.5.41, Age 34, Husband of Ivy Margery Kenyon, of Caldmore, Walsall, Staffs. (Joint grave 14.C.10-11) SMITH, Leading Seaman, AUGUSTUS GREENWELL, P/J 2609, HMS Fiji, Royal Navy, 23.5.41, Age 48, Husband of L.M.E. Smith of North End, Portsmouth. (Joint grave 14.C.10-11) All of the other members of HMS FIJI who were lost are remembered on the War Memorials at Chatham, Plymouth and Portsmouth. THIS INFORMATION WAS SUPPLIED FROM THE DATABASE OF THE COMMONWEALTH WAR GRAVES COMMISSION. Click HERE To View some photos of the above graves |
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