Stephen John Tuckwell
Encyclopedia
Able Seaman
Stephen John Tuckwell was awarded the George Cross
for his "great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty" in bomb disposal work during the Blitz
of late 1940. He was attached to HMS Vernon
and rendered many unexploded devices safe, including a mine
which fell into Roding river in Essex. His award was cited, as was that of Sub Lt John Miller, in the London Gazette
of the 14th of January 1941 http://www.naval-history.net/WW2MedalsBr-GC.htm.
Able Seaman (rank)
In the British Royal Navy in the middle of the 18th century, the term able seaman referred to a seaman with at least two years' experience at sea...
Stephen John Tuckwell was awarded the George Cross
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
for his "great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty" in bomb disposal work during the Blitz
The Blitz
The Blitz was the sustained strategic bombing of Britain by Nazi Germany between 7 September 1940 and 10 May 1941, during the Second World War. The city of London was bombed by the Luftwaffe for 76 consecutive nights and many towns and cities across the country followed...
of late 1940. He was attached to HMS Vernon
HMS Vernon (shore establishment)
HMS Vernon was a shore establishment or 'stone frigate' of the Royal Navy. Vernon was established on 26 April 1876 as the Royal Navy's Torpedo Branch and operated until 1 April 1996, when the various elements comprising the establishment were split up and moved to different commands.-Foundation...
and rendered many unexploded devices safe, including a mine
Naval mine
A naval mine is a self-contained explosive device placed in water to destroy surface ships or submarines. Unlike depth charges, mines are deposited and left to wait until they are triggered by the approach of, or contact with, an enemy vessel...
which fell into Roding river in Essex. His award was cited, as was that of Sub Lt John Miller, in the London Gazette
London Gazette
The London Gazette is one of the official journals of record of the British government, and the most important among such official journals in the United Kingdom, in which certain statutory notices are required to be published...
of the 14th of January 1941 http://www.naval-history.net/WW2MedalsBr-GC.htm.