Exceptional Naval and Polar Awards from the Collection of RC Witte

The Second World War B.E.M. group of seven awarded to Chief Stoker W. E. McFarlane, Royal Navy, who, having won a “mention” when his ship was bombed and sunk off Tobruk in May 1941, added a decoration to his accolades for fire-fighting duties in a heavy raid on Bari in December 1944

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (Ch. Sto. William E. McFarlane, P/KX. 76763. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (KX. 76763 W. E. McFarlane, Ch. Sto., H.M.S. Victory), good very fine and better (7) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Exceptional Naval and Polar Awards from the Collection of RC Witte.

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B.E.M. London Gazette 11 July 1944:
‘For courage, skill and untiring devotion to duty in fire-fighting, rescue work and salvage operations during and after a heavy air raid on Bari.’

The original recommendation states:
‘For courage and resource in accompanying a Warrant Officer and one other Engine Room rating on board Lyman Abbott, who was endangered by the burning Barletta alongside her and also by the general conflagration, lighting up, raising steam, and getting pressure on her fire mains in under an hour in spite of the unfamiliar surroundings. As a result the fire in Barletta was extinguished by hoses plied from Lyman Abbott and the latter and her valuable cargo saved to the war effort.’

Mention in despatches London Gazette 2 December 1941:
‘For bravery and devotion to duty when H.M.S. Grimsby was lost.’

The original recommendation states:
‘When the ship was first hit and fires started in the Wardroom lobby, Chief Stoker McFarlane although severely shaken by the blast of the explosion immediately did his utmost to get a supply of water to the fire. This was of no avail, but the fire was put out by the rising water in the Wardroom flat. McFarlane then at once proceeded to help in the Engine Room and when this was evacuated helped to get men out of the flooded Wardroom flat. Later he was untiring in his work for the wounded to whom he gave great encouragement. He set a fine example of courage and resource in a difficult situation.’

William Edward McFarlane was a member of the Vienna’s crew at the time of his B.E.M. winning exploits at Bari. During this air raid 17 allied ships were sunk and eight others seriously damaged. Casualties were estimated at 1,000 servicemen and an unknown number of civilians. The cause of the greatest number of deaths was the explosion of the freighter John Harvey, which was carrying 100 tons of mustard gas - it was some days before the doctors realised that some chemical agent was responsible for the deaths of those who should have recovered from shock and immersion in the oily water.