Emile Robin 1940/41

Emile Robin Award presented to Captain Arthur Lawrence and Chief Officer Ernest Albert Small of the SS Newminster of Newcastle-upon-Tyne for the rescue of several of the crew of the SS Leo, 25th July 1940.

Several enemy aircraft attacked a British Convoy off Dover. The Leo was hit by several bombs and sank at once. The Newminster was also under attack, but her Master, seeing the desperate plight of the Leo, sent a lifeboat with a volunteer crew to rescue the survivors. This boat was manned by the Chief Officer, a Steward, Donkeyman and an AB, and saved several lives, 11 being rescued in all. The crew of 4 in the lifeboat persisted in their brave work of rescue regardless of falling bombs and of the machine gunning to which they were subjected by the German aircraft. (Chief Officer Small was also made an MBE).