RNZN - Albert Medal

[Old Salt]

LEADING STOKER William DALE AM, NZ 4861

The explosion in a fuel tank on board HMNZS Achilles at Portsmouth on 22 June 1943, which killed 14 dockyard workers, might have claimed more lives had it not been for the prompt and courageous action of members of the cruisers’ crew.

A dozen men owed their lives to Stoker First Class William Dale, of Waimate, Engineroom Artificer William Vaughan, RN, of Durham, England, and Stoker First Class Ernest Valentine, RNZNVR, of Ohakune.

After finding that all smoke apparatus was in use, Dale tied a handkerchief over his mouth and went down three decks into a smoke filled space. With complete disregard for his own safety, and working in pitch dark, he found four injured men and passed them up to safety. He then went up on deck for a breath of fresh air before re-entering the fuel tank that was the seat of the explosion. With Dale went a dockyard worker named Rogers. Between them they rescued two men who were hauled clear by ropes. Those rescued said afterwards that, without the New Zealander’s help, they would not have survived. For his actions Dale was awarded the Albert Medal, the only member of the New Zealand Navy Forces to receive this rare decoration during the Second World War.

Source : RNZN website

Brian

[Boy Robinson]

A very brave man. Have been in some ship fires in full kit and it was the most awful experence.

[Hixy]

LEADING STOKER William DALE AM, NZ 4861

The explosion in a fuel tank on board HMNZS Achilles at Portsmouth on 22 June 1943, which killed 14 dockyard workers, might have claimed more lives had it not been for the prompt and courageous action of members of the cruisers’ crew.

A dozen men owed their lives to Stoker First Class William Dale, of Waimate, Engineroom Artificer William Vaughan, RN, of Durham, England, and Stoker First Class Ernest Valentine, RNZNVR, of Ohakune.

After finding that all smoke apparatus was in use, Dale tied a handkerchief over his mouth and went down three decks into a smoke filled space. With complete disregard for his own safety, and working in pitch dark, he found four injured men and passed them up to safety. He then went up on deck for a breath of fresh air before re-entering the fuel tank that was the seat of the explosion. With Dale went a dockyard worker named Rogers. Between them they rescued two men who were hauled clear by ropes. Those rescued said afterwards that, without the New Zealander’s help, they would not have survived. For his actions Dale was awarded the Albert Medal, the only member of the New Zealand Navy Forces to receive this rare decoration during the Second World War.

Source : RNZN website

Brian

Did he exchange it for the George Cross in 1971? I understand this became the entitlement of all recipients of the Albert Medal.

[Odin]

I've just checked in 'Gainst All Disaster by Allan Stanistreet. It has a list of all former Albert Medallists who exchanged their awards for George Crosses. It also shows the 15 people who elected not to exchange their awards. William Day is not listed so I can only assume he must have died before 1971.

[Odin]

The entry in Heroic Endeavor by D Henderson GM is:

DALE, Donald William Stkr 1 N/Z 4861. Royal New Zealand Navy (HMNZS Achilles). 22 June 1943. After the cruiser, in dry dock in Portsmouth, Hampshire suffered a large explosion with heavy casualties he saved two trapped men under hazardous conditions. London Gazette 23 Nov 1943.
Awarded the Albert Medal (Sea Type) in Bronze.

[Old Salt]

The entry in Heroic Endeavor by D Henderson GM is:

DALE, Donald William Stkr 1 N/Z 4861. Royal New Zealand Navy (HMNZS Achilles). 22 June 1943. After the cruiser, in dry dock in Portsmouth, Hampshire suffered a large explosion with heavy casualties he saved two trapped men under hazardous conditions. London Gazette 23 Nov 1943.
Awarded the Albert Medal (Sea Type) in Bronze.

Thank you so much for that info., much appreciated.
I have found no trace in NZ as yet, I agree he may have died prior to 1971.

Brian

[Odin]

I have found the actual London Gazette page and copied the extract - see below:

[Hixy]

Thanks Old Salt and Odin. Interesting reading.

[Old Salt]

I have found the actual London Gazette page and copied the extract - see below:

Thank you so much Odin.

Brian

[DALETRIM]

Gi'day All New To This Site Am Very Impressed I Actually Googled Albert Medal To See What There Was On It.and Found This Thread D.w.dale Was My Father He Past Away In 1968.there Is A Good Display Of My Dads Coronation Uniform And Different Flags From Ships That He Was On.his Medals Aren't On Display But There Is A Very Good Photo Of Them. I Will Hunt Some Photo's Up If Anyone Is Interested
Cheers
Grant Dale:)

[Geoff Brebner]

Gidday Grant,and welcome to this great Forum.I'm sure your photos will be of interest.Regards,Geoff.

[Odin]

One thing I forgot to mention earlier is that the Albert Medal is unique amongst British Medals in that the reverse is engraved not only with the recipient's name but also with brief details of how they won the medal ie the citation. I will try to find an example to post here.

[Odin]

Unfortunately I can't find Dale's medal but here is the reverse of the medal awarded to Acting Mate Alfred William Newman RN. He earned his award for throwing a burning cartridge overboard on 10th Oct 1917.

[DALETRIM]

Thats Interesting I'll Get Some One To Have A Look At Dad's And Find Out Wait Is On The Back
Grant

[Old Salt]

From naval-history.net

http://www.naval-history.net/WW2MedalsBr-GC.htm#dale


23 November 1943, Stoker 1st Class Donald Dale, RNZN. Following an explosion in HMS Achilles while she was in dock, he rescued a number of men who were trapped below. Awarded Albert Medal, gazetted 23 November 1943.

The KING has been graciously pleased to .... approve the following Award(s): —

For bravery in saving life at sea:

The Albert Medal.

Stoker First Class Donald William Dale, N/Z.4861 (Timaru, New Zealand).

When there was a bad explosion in his ship in dock, Dale, as all anti-smoke apparatus was already in use, tied a handkerchief round his mouth, and went down into a smoke-filled compartment, from which he helped to rescue four workmen.

He then came up for a spell, after which he went down in another part of the ship to the compartment in which the explosion had taken place. With help from one other man, he here rescued two dockyard workmen, getting them up through a manhole with ropes. To reach the scene of destruction Dale, who was still without apparatus, had to grope his way through smoke and debris. The last twisted vertical ladder down which he went fell short of the deck below. Hearing the cries of those trapped, he trusted to chance and jumped. Luckily the deck proved firm.

Although unaware of the full damage which had been caused to the ship Dale well knew that he was facing the gravest danger.