To The House Of Commons

The Petition of; (Constituent) William Leitch. (Post Code) EH54 8NE.

Declares that; On the date 30^th July 1949 the Commander-in-Chief, Far East Station, Admiral Sir E. J. Patrick Brind, K.C.B., C.B.E.; did whiles being in receipt of signals appertaining HMS AMETHYST’s intended escape from where it was being held captive on the YANGTZE KIANG, order His Majesty’s warship HMS CONCORD, to enter Chinese territorial waters, namely the Yangtze Kiang, on the East Coast of China, and there after to proceed to the  location on the Yangtze Kiang, known as the Woosung Forts, and upon reaching that destination, to train its armament on the Woosung Forts, in readiness to respond in the event of HMS AMETHYST, being fired upon while passing that location.

As a result of the orders given by the Commander-in-Chief, Far East Station, Admiral Sir E. J. Patrick Brind, K.C.B., C.B.E.; from onboard HMS BELFAST, 30^th July 1949

he did at that time subject HMS CONCORD‘s, ships company to risk and rigour over and above what might be reasonably expected.

Further; when the ‘Yangtze 1949’ clasp to the Naval General Service Medal was instituted in November, 1949 no official Naval Signals or documentation capable of establishing HMS CONCORD’s part played in the Yangtze Incident, 30^th and 31^st July, 1949 were placed before (the HD Committee) of that time responsible for the Granting of Honours, Decorations and Medals. As such His Majesty’s, ship HMS CONCORD, and its ships company were wrongfully excluded from being recognised as a unit that was involved in the 1949 Yangtze Incident.

The Petitioner; therefore requests of the House of Commons, that the House finds remedy and reparation to the wrongful acts or omissions that caused and brought about the exclusion of HMS CONCORD’s part in the Yangtze Incident, 30^th and 31^st July, 1949.

And the Petitioner remains, etc.

CORRESPONDENCE

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