Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society, Marine Medal, 3rd type, silver (To Second Officer S. C. Grant. S.S. “Orduna” for Gallant Service. 24th Jan: 1915.) with silver brooch buckle, extremely fine £200-£260

The S.S. Orduna was a 15,500 ton ocean liner built in 1913/14 by Harland & Wolff, Belfast for the Pacific Steam Company. During the Great War she was utilised as an auxiliary cruiser and troopship. In her latter guise she transported troops from Halifax, Nova Scotia to Liverpool. 2nd Officer Grant was awarded the Liverpool Shipwreck and Humane Society Medal for his part in the rescue of the Russian crew of the sailing ship Loch Torridon which had sprung a leak while transporting timber off the west coast of Ireland on 24 January 1915. The Orduna continued to have an eventful war, being targeted by a U-Boat in 1915, the fired torpedo missing its target, and in 1918 she accidentally collided with and sank the 4,400 ton steamer Konkary.

Sidney Crossland Grant was born in Liverpool on 5 February 1884. He joined the merchant navy, passing for First Mate in March 1907, Master in October 1908, and Extra Master in July 1909. He was awarded the British and Mercantile Marine War medals for services as Second Officer of the S.S. Orduna, and was awarded the O.B.E. (Civil) for services as Captain of the M.V. Laguna when torpedoed by a U-boat and damaged in the Caribbean on 17 August 1942 (London Gazette 13 April 1943).