James Ryan Merchant Navy George Medal Winner 1941

[mmm45]

Hi
Can anyone help me find information for James Ryan he was awarded a George Medal in 1941 for shooting down a German Bomber from a trawler or tug boat near Hull.
He was Merchant Navy.

Thanks.

[ShaunJ]

"James Ryan, First Mate.
The ship was attacked by an enemy aircraft, which came upon her from astern, circled round and three times attacked her from ahead. Mr Ryan, at his gun, held his fire until the last moment and brought down the aircraft.
Meanwhile, the Master, Captain Jones, out-manoeuvred the enemy, and his good seamanship undoubtedly helped to save the ship."

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/35064/supplement/687/data.pdf

[ShaunJ]

It was the tug Empire Jonathon ( Jonathan?) according to this story in the Hull Daily Mail http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/rescue-tug-crew-valiant-war-effort/story-11963751-detail/story.html

EDIT  it was the tug Seaman

[HMac]

It was the tug SEAMAN.

Steam Tug. United Towing Co. 369 tons Built in 1924. Hired as Rescue Tug from December 1939.
London Gazette 4 February 1941 - For services during an air attack and for the destruction of an enemy aircraft.

Jones, Owen Vincent - Captain - OBE(Civ)
Ryan, James - Mate - George Medal
Suddaby, George - Seaman - Commendation.

Regards
Hugh

[ShaunJ]

I stand corrected. I hadn't read the story properly. It was indeed the Seaman.

[cath151]

Google books

 https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=zRUIDAAAQBAJ&pg=PA106&lpg=PA106&dq=oberleutnant+burmeister+1941&source=bl&ots=SDrGbnEstA&sig=rqGaUDeKL3OdkgaPo11ar5Kqf_M&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjIu_ONsI7OAhXLbxQKHV7wCYoQ6AEIJzAC#v=onepage&q=oberleutnant%20burmeister%201941&f=false

Cathy

[cath151]

So under the name Jimmy, several results on google, hard to find any info as to identify Jimmy s year and place of birth as yet though.
Cathy

[cath151]

Possibly James Ryan R238724 Born 26 Feb 1896 Goole
Ship H ? Seaman
Discharged 1946
(merchant seamans card)
I think if he had a son George (see earlier newspaper report) then he possibly married Ada Lowthorpe in 1915, Hull and had a son George W in 1935.
Not allowed to give details but this would all tally with the 1939 Register.

Cathy

[mmm45]

Absolutely fantastic response thank you. Now to try and trace the medal. Last seen on display at Eden Camp near Malton.It wasn't there earlier this year.
Ill try contacting them to start with.

Ady