Jonathan Rogers, GC, DSM (16 September 1920 – 10 February 1964) was a Welsh-born sailor and an Australian recipient of the George Cross, awarded for the heroism he displayed on the night of 10 February 1964 during the sinking of HMAS Voyager.
Jonathan Rogers | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname(s) | "Buck"[1] |
| Born | 16 September 1920 Llangollen, Wales |
| Died | 10 February 1964 (aged 43) Off the coast of New South Wales |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom Australia |
| Service | Royal Navy Royal Australian Navy |
| Years of service | 1938–46 1950–64 |
| Rank | Chief Petty Officer |
| Battles / wars | |
| Awards | George Cross Distinguished Service Medal |
Early life
editRogers was born in Llangollen, Wales, joined the Royal Navy at the age of 18 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for the "coolness and leadership" he showed while serving as coxswain of Motor Torpedo Boat 698 in action in May 1944.[2] 'Buck' emigrated to Australia after the war and joined the Royal Australian Navy, serving in the Korean War.
George Cross
editHe was serving aboard the destroyer HMAS Voyager when, during exercises, it was struck and sliced in half by the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. Rogers, along with more than 50 other men, was trapped in the sinking forward part of the stricken destroyer.
Making no attempt to save himself, he helped as many men as possible escape through a small escape hatch and, as the compartment sank ten minutes later, was heard leading his trapped comrades in a prayer and hymn as they met their fate, as his citation said, with 'dignity and honour'.[1][3][4]
Honours and awards
edit
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| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
| |
George Cross (GC) | gazetted 1965[3] |
| |
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM) | gazetted 1944[2] |
| |
1939–1945 Star | |
| |
Atlantic Star | with FRANCE AND GERMANY clasp |
| |
Italy Star | |
| |
War Medal 1939–1945 | |
| |
Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975 | 23 January 2014[5] |
| |
Korea Medal | |
| |
United Nations Korea Medal | |
| |
Naval General Service Medal | 23 January 2014[5] |
| |
Australian Service Medal 1945–1975 | 23 January 2014[5] |
| |
Australian General Service Medal Korea | 23 January 2014[5] |
| |
Australian Defence Medal | 23 January 2014[5] |
| |
Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal | |
| |
Pingat Jasa Malaysia | (Malaysia) 23 January 2014[5] |
References
edit- ^ a b "Fifty Australians – Buck Rogers". Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2009.
- ^ a b "No. 36707". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 September 1944. p. 4334.
- ^ a b "No. 43604". The London Gazette. 19 March 1965. p. 2797.
- ^ "Award of George Cross – Rogers". It's An Honour (Australian Government. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2009.
- ^ a b c d e f VADM Ray Griggs [@VCDF_Australia] (23 January 2014). "Presenting additional medals to daughters of CPO Jonathan Rogers GC, DSM – now 1 of our most decorated @AWMemorial" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
External links
edit- "Medals – Jonathan Rogers". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 20 March 2009.