Commemorated: | |||
| 1. Book: | Beyond The Five Points | Pgs 345-347 | |
Awards & Titles: | George Cross | ||
Service Life:
Campaigns:
- The Second World War 1939-1945, World-wide.
| Unit / Ship / Est.: |
| Action : War Survivor |
Although many perished in times of national conflict and in the service of their country, many more survived including those interned as Prisoners of War. Stories of those who did survive are included as part of this site, especially those with high gallantry awards, those included against an external rolls of honour and those who had a distinguished career in wartime and military leaderhip.
Detail :
Awarded The Albert Medal, London Gazette 25th May, 1943 Translated to The George Cross, London Gazette 21st October, 1971 for his actions aboard MV Atheltemplar on Monday, 14th September, 1942.
The KING has been graciously pleased to make the following Award: — The Albert Medal.
James Arthur Reeves, Esq., Chief Officer.
"The ship was torpedoed and was being abandoned when two men were seen floating in the oily water which flooded the engine room to a depth of 25 feet. Both were helpless, one being badly injured and the, other overcome by oil fumes. All the engine-room ladders had been destroyed, but using a boat ladder, Chief Officer Reeves descended into the engine-room and secured lines about both men. While being hauled to safety, owe of the men slipped back into the. oily water. Mr. Reeves again descended into the engine room which was rapidly filling with surging oil and water, and secured another rope about the injured man who was then brought on deck.
In descending into the darkened and flooded engine-room, Mr. Reeves showed great bravery and complete disregard of his personal safety. His work was rendered doubly dangerous by the heavy oil fumes which had accumulated."
Masonic :
| Type | Lodge Name and No. | Province/District : |
|---|---|---|
| Mother : | Lodge of Harmony and Industry No. 381 E.C. | East Lancashire |
| Joined : | East Lancashire Provincial Grand Officers No. 3747 E.C. | East Lancashire |
| Joined : | Horizon No. 8948 E.C. | East Lancashire |
Initiated | Passed | Raised |
- | - | - |
James was also a Royal Arch Mason, being a member of Hutchinson Chapter No. 381, East Lancashire and also a member of the Hugh de Payens Knights Templar Preceptory No. 56, Blackburn.
Source :
The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:
- The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
- The (UK) National Archives
- Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
- ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry
Additional Source:
- Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
- Researcher : Bruce Littley