Silver Medal 1945

The Committee have decided to recognise, by the award of the Society’s Silver Medal, the exceptional bravery displayed by Junior Ordinary Seaman Victor Derek Brockman, of the tug Lady Brassey, although aged only sixteen years, when the Empire Lough, carrying a cargo of cased petrol, was set on fire on the 24th July 1944, by enemy shell fire between Dover and Folkestone. In spite of the flames and exploding ammunition, Brockman climbed on board the Empire Lough entirely on his own initiative, and at the grave risk of his own life, made the tug’s towing wire fast to the bollard. This brave action was mainly instrumental in enabling the Lady Brassey to beach the Empire Lough.