Horace Crossland

[Carol Dawson]

Thank you so much for this information. I have downloaded Horace's record from the National archive for £3.45 but there is no key so I can't interpret the data. The Monarch company seems to have managed 4 Empire ships but I can't find the names. The records say that Horace signed on to Empire Monarch ( I can't find this ship listed anywhere) and Imperial Monarch both in 1942. I understand from family that the same captain was on both ships. I can't find a record of any incident involving the Imperial save that in 1940. Is it likely that he would be awarded a medal in 1942 for an action in 1940? Do you know the route of the Imperial in 1940? Thanks again

[Hugh]

Hi Carol,
Horace Crossland was awarded the BEM(Civ) in the 1942 Birthday Honours List gazetted 11 June 1942. The award is associated with IMPERIAL MONARCH, bombed and straffed by enemy aircraft and damaged off the east coast of Scotland on 29th January 1940. Survived the war.

It it is likely that his bravery may have come to light after the event hence the award in 1942.

The medal file you have downloaded is his campaign medals. If you wish to post the attachment I will decipher it for you.

Regards
Hugh

[Des Taff Jenkins]

Hi Hugh.
I have read in a few web sites about Horace Crossland receiving his medal, but nowhere does it say when and how he earned it, I think like you it was for action during the attack on the Imperial Monarch. I was wondering at the similarity of the name of his ships the Imperial Monarch and the Empire Monarch I think there was the possibility that she was renamed the Empire Monarch at some later date maybe .
Cheers Des

[Doc Vernon]

The Monarch Steamship Company had the following Ships but there is no Empire Monarch I feel there amy just be an Error in the Entry???

Monarch Steamship Company, Raeburn & Verel, Glasgow

[Carol Dawson]

Dear All
Thank you so much for your help to date. This is my first time ever using an on line forum so please forgive me if I'm not following the usual etiquette. I've tried to attach the record from the National Archives butit won't upload and I don't have access to my main computer at the moment. Is there an email address I can send the PDF to?

Was the Imperial Monarch part of the East Coast Convoys in 1940? What was the main function of these?

Thanks once again to you all
Regards
Carol

[Ivan Cloherty]

Was the Imperial Monarch part of the East Coast Convoys in 1940? What was the main function of these?

Thanks once again to you all
Regards
Carol

East Coast convoys were essential for the movement of coal and other goods to the various power stations dotted around the UK coast and in estuaries, a total of 575 coastal size vessels (200 -1800 tons deadweight)* traded up and down and around the coasts of the UK from 1939 to 1945 and were constantly under threat from, e-boats, mines, and bombing aircraft taking off from axis airfields in Germany, Norway, Holland, Belgium and France. The men on them are largely forgotten and airbrushed out of history, but they suffered as much as their colleagues on the Atlantic theatre. 374 of these coasting vessels were involved in the D-Day Landings, making not only one trip but numerous trips backwards and forwards with cased petrol and ammunition to keep the Armed Forces enabled

* deadweight = carrying capacity

[Hugh]

Carol, I have sent you a private message.

Here is another view of IMPERIAL MONARCH http://searcharchives.vancouver.ca/u...82f-A29589.jpg

Des, IMPERIAL MONARCH was certainly renamed later but not an EMPIRE as far as I am aware.

Regards
Hugh

[Doc Vernon]

Medals.GIF H Crossland Medals

1939 (1939-1945 Star)
AT (Atlantic Star)
IT (Italy Star)
CL (Clasp)

Markings found on the record may include:

• a cross through a code, indicating that the medal was issued
• a circle over a code, indicating that only the ribbon for that medal has been issued
• a cross and a circle, indicating that both a medal and a ribbon have been issued

The letter ‘R’ over a code can signify that an application for that medal was reviewed and refused.

[Hugh]

He was awarded the BEM(Civ), 1939-1945 Star, Atlantic Star with France & Germany Clasp, Italy Star and The War Medal. Information already passed to Carol.

Regards
Hugh