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| Contributed by John Hamilton
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| | | | |  | OPERATION PEDESTAL - "SURVIVORS"
Presented to the people of Malta by members of the ship's company of HMS LEDBURY to mark the 60th Anniversary Commemoration of Operation Pedestal.
Painted from eye witness accounts, the picture shows the destroyed HMS LEDBURY(Lieutenant-Commander Roger Hill, Royal Navy), rescuing survivors from the SS WAIMARAMA sunk by German JU88 dive bombers on 13th August, 1942.
When several bombs struck the ship, the deck cargo of aviation spirit caught fire and within seconds the 11,100 ton ship blew up with a roar and disappeared in an inferno of fire and smoke. The few surviving members of her crew were left clinging to wreckage and surrounded by flames. Ordering hoses to be played on the upperworks, Hill slowly edged his ship into the flames. Volunteers went over the side with ropes and recovered several of the WAIMARAMA's men, among them cadet Frederick Treves who had had a miraculous escape. Along with radio officer John Jackson who was a non-swimmer, he was blown clear of the ship but having helped Jackson to some floating wreckage, he became separated from him. From LEDBURY's bridge, Jackson was spotted in a clearing in the flames but due to the intense heat and extreme danger it proved impossible to approach him any closer. Petty Officer Charles Walker who was a strong swimmer and captain of the ship's water polo team, immediately went over the side with a rope's end and struck out with it towards Jackson; he reached him, tied the rope round him, and together they were hauled to safety.
But not quite! Jackson was pulled on deck but at that moment Hill, fearing his ship would be engulfed in the flames, had already ordered "Full Astern" when Yeoman of Signals Landown shouted "Sir! Petty Officer Walker is still in the water". The engines were stopped, put Full Ahead to take the way off the ship while Walker was hauled on board, then Full Astern until LEDBURY was clear of the flames. For this act of selfless bravery, in saving another's life, Charles Walker was awarded the George Cross. The Official Citation records that he did so in the knowledge that, due to the intense heat and danger to his ship, she might be obliged to turn away at any moment and abandon him.
For his part in OPERATION PEDESTAL Roger Hill was awarded the DSO.
In retirement Roger Hill settled in New Zealand, where he died aged 91, on 5th May 2001. On 27th September 2002, at a ceremony attended by members of his family and former shipmates, his ashes were scattered off Grand Harbour, Valetta. |
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