Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine M.B.E. and King’s Commendation group of six awarded to Chief Engineer Edwin Goodridge, Merchant Navy, twice sunk in the Atlantic Ocean during the War, on the latter occasion being the sole survivor and subsequently a prisoner of war in Japan

The Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) 2nd type, in original case and outer box of issue; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; War Medal, with bronze Commendation oak leaf; Coronation 1953, in box of issue, all unnamed as issued but accompanied by Warrant for the M.B.E. dated 6th January 1942, damaged, Certificate of Commendation for Brave Conduct (M.B.E., Chief Engineer Officer, M.V. “Arabistan”, 5 February 1942), named Certificate for Coronation Medal 1953, various letters concerning the awards, including Central Chancery invitation to his ‘widow’ to attend an investiture to receive the M.B.E. awarded to ‘the late Mr. Edwin Goodridge’, dated 27 January 1943, an interesting lot, generally extremely fine (6) £500-600

M.B.E. London Gazette 6 January 1942: ‘For good services when the S.S. Shahristan was torpedoed and sunk, and for his conduct during seven days in an open boat:- Edwin Goodridge Esq., Second Engineer. The ship was torpedoed and was so badly damaged that she had to be abandoned. The First Radio Officer Mr Smith sent out signals on the emergency set until the last moment and then helped to get the boats away. One overturned, but six men including Mr Smith and the Second Engineer, Mr Goodridge, managed to regain it and cut the painter, allowing it to drift clear of the burning ship. This boat lay to her sea anchor during the night. In the morning two other boats were seen, but owing to the heavy swell and the fact that there were no oars, they could not join company. Some time later, Mr Goodridge was able to rig a jury rudder and sail, and a course was set. After a week they were rescued.’

The S.S. Shahristan was a British cargo liner belonging to the Strick Line, built in 1938. She was torpedoed by U-371 and sunk in the North Atlantic on 29th July 1941. The Captain and 48 men were lost. Mr Goodridge was among the survivors picked up by H.M.S. Derbyshire on 5 August 1941.

King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct London Gazette 5 February 1946: ‘Edwin Goodridge Esq., M.B.E., Chief Engineer Officer M.V. “Arabistan” (Strick Line).’

The S.S. Arabistan was also a British cargo liner belonging to the Strick Line, built in 1929. She was sunk by the German Raider Michel in the South Atlantic, off Northern Brazil on 14 August 1942. She carried a crew of 57 and 10 gunners, of whom Mr Goodridge was the sole survivor and later reported to be a prisoner of war in Japan.