SS Jervis Bay Commonwealth Line ships wheel badge Sunk November 1940 - Victoria Cross Action

A rare original circa pre 1939 period 'S S Jervis Bay gilt and enamel ships wheel badge' displaying the blue ensign 'Flag of Australia' to the centre. Good condition, complete with original pin fittings, enamel intact, minor surface scratches. Circa 2.8cms in diameter.

"Jervis Bay" was requisitioned by the Royal Navy in August 1939 at the outbreak of the Second World War, and fitted out as an armoured cruiser. She became the sole escort for the 37 merchant ships of Convoy HX 84 from Bermuda and Halifax, Nova Scotia to Britain. The convoy encountered the German warship Admiral Scheer and the captain of Jervis Bay, Edward Fegen, ordered the convoy to scatter, and set his own ship on a course towards the German warship to draw its fire. Jervis Bay was hopelessly outgunned and outranged by the 28 cm (11 inch) guns of the German ship, but it attacked the larger ship with its guns, firing more to distract the German ship from the merchantmen than with hopes of doing any damage. Although the German's shells ravaged Jervis Bay, and Fegen was wounded and many crew killed, Fegen and the surviving crew fought on until their ship was sunk. Captain Fegen and the majority of the crew went down with the ship. Sixty-eight survivors of Jervis Bay's crew of 254 were picked up by the neutral Swedish ship Stureholm (three later died of their wounds).

In the end the German cruiser was only able to sink five merchant ships and the remainder of the convoy escaped.

Captain Fegen was awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross as a result of this action. The citation for his award reads:

"for valour in challenging hopeless odds and giving his life to save the many ships it was his duty to protect. On the 5th of November, 1940, in heavy seas, Captain Fegen, in His Majesty's Armed Merchant Cruiser Jervis Bay, was escorting thirty-eight Merchantmen. Sighting a powerful German warship he at once drew clear of the Convoy, made straight for the Enemy, and brought his ship between the Raider and her prey, so that they might scatter and escape. Crippled, in flames, unable to reply, for nearly an hour the Jervis Bay held the German's fire. So she went down: but of the Merchantmen all but four or five were saved."

G188

Code: 63683