VETERANS DAY
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UNTO THE FOLLOWING IN OFFICE

Private Secretary to The Sovereign.

Appointments Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence.

Defence Services Secretary.

Permanent Secretary Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Permanent Secretary, Home Office.

Secretary of the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood.

Ceremonial Officer of the Cabinet Office (Secretary).

And, The HD Committee.

Within the Veterans UK, website that can be found by clicking on the following; http://www.veterans-uk.info/medals/instituted.html I found the following chapter which I now quote for its terms therein.

I Quote, *The procedures which lead to the institution of a British award have been followed for many years, with only minor changes.  In the case of campaign service or an emergency situation, the process starts if the Commander in Chief considers that a medal for service in that theatre, or under particularly rigorous circumstances, justifies a medal. His recommendation is passed to senior military officers who, if they are in agreement, submit the case for a medal to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).   If CDS approves the proposal, the Defence Services Secretary submits the case to the Committee on the Grant of Honours Decorations and Medals, (known generally as the HD Committee), through the Ceremonial Officer of the Cabinet Office.  The HD Committee, consisting of senior officials from several Whitehall Ministries, consider the case and, if it agrees it has merit, submits it to The Sovereign for approval.*Unquote.

Here I would draw everyone’s attention to the terms that can be found in the last sentence, of the above quoted paragraph, terms, applicable to the HD Committee.

This attached photograph shows what the 1949 Yangtze Campaign Medal looks like, an award flowing from the considerations of Admiral, Patrick Brind, Commander-in-Chief, Far East Station. 

Within the “House of Commons Hansard Written Answers for 27^th April 2006 (pt14)” it can be seen how this award was used by way of example, the dates that qualified units for the above Campaign Medal.

(Example):-

Campaign.  Number of qualifying days,        From.                       To.

Yangtze.      1

H.M.S. Consort                                          20 April 1949         20 April 1949

H.M.S. London                                          21 April 1949         21 April 1949

H.M.S. Black Swan                                   21 April 1949         21 April 1949

H.M.S. Amethyst                                       21 April 1949         31 July 1949

Amethyst’s dates should have read:- From. 20^th April 1949. To. 31st July1949

“Hansard’s mistake, not mine”.  Further, the 1949 Yangtze Campaign Medal was also awarded to all who flew in the three sorties of the R.A.F. Sunderland that was involved in the incident 21^st 22^nd and 23^rd April 1949 and among those involved were two air dispatchers of 799 Company R.A.S.C. (AD) a Blondie Donno and Ken Hotchkiss.

 Being attached to this page is a copy of a, SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY, that was placed on H.M.S. Consort’s, ORDERS OF THE DAY, notice board, 22^nd December, 1949.

 As can be seen that SPECIAL ORDER OF THE DAY was signed by Admiral, Patrick Brind, Commander-in-Chief, and within the last paragraph, he is seen to state; “In addition to those who have already received recognition for their services from His Majesty the King, the following officers and men of H.M.S. “Consort” have been brought particularly to my notice, and I commend them for their courage and devotion to duty. 

Well, Private Secretary to The Sovereign,/ Appointments Secretary to the Prime Minister,/ Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence,/ Defence Services Secretary,/ Permanent Secretary foreign and Commonwealth Office,/ Permanent Secretary, Home Office,/ Secretary of the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood,/ Ceremonial Officer of the Cabinet Office (Secretary),/ and HD committee, that which follows, termed the official report of the Yangtze Incident, as you will see has within its structure information that certainly, was not placed before your predecessors  of 1949 for processing.   

                                    (THE YANGTZE INCIDENT)

                                             THE OFFICIAL REPORT

In December 1948 and due to the Chinese Civil War a British warship was stationed at Nanking (Nanjing) to act as guard ship to the British Embassy and to evacuate staff and other British Nationals if it became necessary.

On the 20^th April 1949 at 0830, H.M.S. Amethyst (Lt Commander B.M. Skinner RN) en-route to Nanking up the River Yangtze to relieve the guard ship H.M.S. Consort, came under very heavy fire from the north bank, due to serious damage she went aground at Rose Island, she signaled she was under heavy fire, aground, and had suffered casualties. The Captain was mortally wounded; the first Lieutenant though wounded assumed command. During the forenoon the Communist continued to fire at H.M.S. Amethyst. To save further loss of life, about 60 lightly wounded and uninjured were evacuated ashore, further evacuation stopped when those in the water came under fire. Those put ashore eventually arrived in Shanghai. Lt Cdr Skinner’s wife and two sons were staying in Hong Kong as guests of Ann Rodney wife of Lt Cdr Nigel Rodney the Captain of Concord and Admiral Brind asked Ann Rodney to break the news of Lt Cdr Skinner’s death to Mrs. Skinner.

The signal was heard by H.M.S. Consort (Cdr I.G. Robertson, DSO, DSC, RM); she immediately prepared to get under way, leaving Nanking and proceeding at 30 knots towards H.M.S. Amethyst, reaching her at 1400. As she approached H.M.S. Amethyst, she came under very heavy fire. She made three attempts to assist H.M.S. Amethyst, but having sustained many casualties and serious damage she abandoned the rescue and proceeded down river. The signal was also picked up by the frigate H.M.S. Black Swan Captain A.D.H. Jay DSO,DSC,RN) in Shanghai, and the cruiser H.M.S. London (Captain P.G.L. Gazalet DSO,DSC, RN) en-route to Shanghai from Hong Kong. At dusk, both ships met H.M.S. Consort off Kiang-yin on the Yangtze. Because of the need to get the wounded to hospital and the damage sustained, H.M.S. Consort took no further pat in the action and sailed for Shanghai.

21^st April at 0030 H.M.S. Amethyst was re-floated and anchored in the river.

At 0600 H.M.S. London and H.M.S. Black Swan went 12miles up the Yangtze to about 30 miles from H.M.S. Amethyst and waited for further information, none came. At 1030 both sailed up river, with White Ensigns, and large white flags hoisted, (white flags meant neutral ships on a peaceful mission) hung on each side of both ships were large Union Flags. Almost immediately both ships came under heavy point blank fire from the north bank, each receiving direct hits. Both ships proceeded as fast as possible in the narrow river, returning fire. At about 15 miles from H.M.S. Amethyst and having sustained many casualties and a great deal of damage, it was decided that to proceed further would be disastrous for both ships and their crews; the order was given to return to Shanghai. This meant running the gauntlet again with both ships incurring further casualties and damage during the next 50 minutes of almost continuous fire. Both ships arrived at in Shanghai at 1930.

At 1630 an RAF Sunderland Flying Boat (Flt Lt K. Letford DSO 7 Bar, DFC, RAF0 landed near H.M.S. Amethyst bringing a doctor and medical supplies, as the doctor got into a junk to take him to the ship, firing from the North Bank was directed at the aircraft and it had to take off immediately.

22^nd April. Lt Cdr J.S. Kearns RN arrived from Nanking. After assessing the situation he took command of H.M.S. Amethyst. She remained a prisoner for 100 days. When it was obvious negotiations for safe passage down river were leading nowhere Lt Cdr Kearns planned the escape of H.M.S. Amethyst. On the 30^th July, at 2209 with the Yangtze at its highest, H.M.S. Amethyst started her famous escape. She was fired on and hit once. Though the firing continued there were no further hits from the large guns. During the confusion the shore batteries sank a civilian ferry.

31^st July. At 0500 H.M.S. Amethyst met the destroyer H.M.S. Concord (Lt Cdr N.R.H. Rodney RN) at the mouth of the River and sent her famous signal.

“Have rejoined the fleet south of Woosung, no damage or casualties, God Save the King”.

As a result of the incident, 3, D.S.O’s, 4 DSC’s, 1 DFC, 7DSM’s, 1 BEM and many Mentioned in Dispatches” were awarded.

The human cost in the four ships was 46 dead and 68 wounded  

That was what the official report amounted to, however the true events which took place after 2209 on the 30^th July 1949 have not been recorded properly so therefore in order that they may be recognized in this day and age by hopefully by “Her Majesty the Queen” the true events which took place after 2209 on the 30^th July 1949 are as follows.

When Lt Cdr Kearns informed Admiral Brind in a coded signal that he intended to break out at 2200, Admiral Brind without reference to the Admiralty or the Foreign Office signaled H.M.S. Concord to assist H.M.S. Amethyst and should the Woosung Forts open fire they (Concord) were to return fire in support of Amethyst.

In the late evening of 30^th July Concord proceeded up river where she was challenged by a Nationalist Gun Boat. Concord subsequently anchored and then at 0145 under cover of darkness she weighed anchor and proceeded up river at 20 knots.

At 0220 she spoke briefly with a Chinese Nationalist warship in the vicinity of the Tungshan banks buoy. 0255 came to starboard anchor Kiutan LV 289 degrees 1.8 miles.

At 0345 weighed anchor and proceeded course 285degrees speed 20 knots. At 0415 altered course to 301 degrees then altered course to 290 degrees 0445 passed S.2 Knoll Buoy.  0450 altered course 300degrees speed 16 knots.  0510 slow speed in vicinity of Blockhouse buoy. 0512 Amethyst contacted on radar Bearing 286 7miles.

0525 Amethyst in sight 3 miles. (Due to bends in the river it appeared as if she was coming across land to meet them) Concord signal Amethyst “Fancy Meeting You Again” Amethyst reply’s “Never Repeat Never Has a Ship Been More Welcome” Kearns then signaled Admiral Brind copy to Admiralty “Have rejoined the fleet, no damage or casualties God Save The King”

0535 Concord on station 2 cables with Amethyst on starboard quarter. Course 120 speed 19 knots. 064 Kituan L.V. abeam to Port. Altered course to 115. 0710 speed 10 knots.  0715 Secured from Action Stations. 0740 passed Yangtze L.V. abeam to Starboard 1 mile.  0915 Set course 140 degrees speed 11 knots. Amethyst in station astern. 1158 engines slow ahead together. Course as required to attend to Amethyst. 1200 Concord proceeded alongside Amethyst. 1212 rang off main engines. 2 hours notice for steam. Transferred stores and discharged 147 tons of fuel oil to Amethyst. (When she hove to alongside Concord she only had 7 tons of fuel oil left)

1800 Lt T.J.D. Grant was drafted to Amethyst on temporary loan, also 1 signalman and 1 telegraphst. 2000 slipped from Amethyst. And in company set course for Hong Kong. A short while later met Cossack (Captain (D) who ordered Concord to proceed on patrol leaving Cossack to escort Amethyst back to Hong Kong. Concords log book was taken out of service and replaced.

Admiral Brind, it appeared, had exceeded his authority by ordering Concord to assist Amethyst and it looked set for condemnation by both the Admiralty and the Government. Amethyst’s escape had been kept secret up to this point. Then the story was leaked to the press.  King George V1 on hearing of Amethyst’s escape entered the arena by congratulating all concerned including Admiral Brind.

Until now, very little was known of Concord’s true involvement it had always been ‘understood’ that Concord had waited at the mouth of the Yangtze for Amethyst when in fact she had gone up river trained her guns on the Woosung Forts as she and Amethyst passed below.

Here on the next page is a copy of the story that was leaked to the press in 1949 in order to cover up H.M.S. Concords, true involvement in the Yangtze Incident, 31^st July 1949.    

Here with almost fifty nine years in time having passed is how the, would be known, “The Rt Hon, Bob Ainsworth, M.P.” Minister of State for Armed Forces, views matters appertaining to H.M.S. Concord’s involvement in the 1949 Yangtze Incident.

Within the penultimate paragraph of Mr. Ainsworth’s, letter shown above it is stated; “Those responsible for establishing the ships and personnel that should qualify for the clasp would have been aware of this and it is clear that there were no grounds to consider including HMS CONCORD in the list of ships and personnel eligible for the ‘Yangtze 1949’ clasp that was published in November 1949.”

Well here is what those responsible for establishing the ships and personnel that should qualify for the clasp were not made aware of and as will be seen had the following information not been excluded then H.M.S. Concord, would have been eligible for the ‘Yangtze 1949 clasp that was published in November 1949.

    FLASH                                                                        TOP SECRET

C IN C FES AFLOAT                                             C IN C FES ASORE

        Following repeats AMETHYST 300657 Adressed to C IN C

(R)     CONCORD from KERANS.   I am going to try and break out

2200 I tonight 30^th July.      CONCORD set watch 8290

EMERGENCY                                                 TOP SECRET

C In C FES AFLOAT 1^st Sea Lord                                    ADMIRALTY

Personal From 1^st Sea Lord.

  Your 290956.  Abreak out should not  (R) not be attempted

Without further reference to Admirality.

2.       Are there any new circumstances which have arisen which encourage you to believe that such is likely to succeed now.

T.O.R. 1236z    O.T.P. Gr. 55

                                           Decrypted  2202 I

To:-                                                                      From:-

Concord  (R)  F 02 I/C                                                    C in C FES Afloat

D8                Admirality                                                     301223.7.July.

                                   SECRET              EMERGENCY

Amethyst may break out tonight.             Information incomplete.

2.        Concord remain at short notice to go above WOOSUNG at night if ordered. Concord and Amethyst would then lie up in daylight and come down past WOOSUNG at night.

3.        D8 with available destroyers may be required to close YANGTZE entrance at short notice. Take overt action yet as secrecy is vital.

4.        Further signal follows.

                                                                             D.T.G.301223.7.July.49

                                                                              T.O.D. In Transit

Secretex.  GR130,

Dist:- H.3.CCO,Logs. C in C Log                                  ((4364).

EMERGENCY                                CONFIDENTIAL

TO…CONCORD.D.8. (R) ADMIRALTY. F.O.2.i/c  FROM.C IN C. F.E.S. AFLOAT

                                       C.IN.C.F.E.S.ASHORE

CONCORD CLOSE KUITOAN LIGHT VESSEL AND AWAIT ORDERS.

TELL NATIONALISTS THAT YOU ARE AWAITING AMETHYST AND YOU MAY HAVE TO GO FURTHER UP RIVIR.

2..D.6 WITH FLOTILLA CLOSE YANGTZE.

3.AMETHYS SLIPPED AT 2200 AND HAS COME UNDER FIRE.

                                                                                                --301355%

FLASH

To:- C in C                                          From :- AMETHYST

ASK  RODNEY  to cover me WOOSUNG about 0530   Item

                                                                              //301809z

Receipt 1810        Date 30/7/49

 To…CONCORD. (R) AMETHYST,    FROM …..C IN C F.E.S.

                                             D.8                                                     AFLOAT

                EMERGENCE                                      UNCLASIFIES

CLOSE  CHIMP WRECK BUOY.

2….IF AMETHYST PASSESWOOSUNG NEAR DAWN SUPPORT HER BY ENGAGING BATTERIES FROM SEAWARD IF THEY OPEN FIRE. YOU SHOULD NOT GO ABOVE INDENTIFIED BATTERIES EXCEPT IN EMERGENCY.

                                                       D.T.G…301801Z

          CONFIDENTIAL  OPPERATIONAL PRIORITY

TO… CONCORD                                                FROM ..C IN C AFLOAT

MY 301801. NO RECENT ENTELEGENCE OF BATTERIES, THEY USED TO EXTEND INTERMITTENTLY FROM WOOSUNG TO KIUTOANBEACON.

WOOSUNG FORT HAS HEAVY GUNS.

                                                                   =301808Z

TO…CONCORD (R)  AMETHYST     FROM…C,IN C.F.E.S.

                                                                                  AFLOAT

                                EMERGENCY UNCLASIFIED.

CANCEL LAST SENTENCE OF MY 301801z.

DO NOT GO ABOVE QUARINTINE BUOY IN EMERGENCY.

2.. SMOKE MAY BE USEFUL.

FLASH

TO:- CONCORD                                    FROM:- AMETHYST

CENTAUR lower boy com quick

30    1850 z

0350

To CONCORD                                                          FROM  C in C

                              EMERGENCY           UNCLASIFIED

IF YOU DEE ANCHISES AND CAROLINE MOLLER TELL THEM TO GO DOWN RIVER AS QUICKLY AS POSSIBLE.

                                                                                  D.T.G,..3019438..JULY

FLASH

TO:-  C IN C. F.E.S.                                                   FROM:- AMETHYST

Woosung in sight.

                                                     302003

FLASH

TO:-C IN C                                                      FROM:-AMETHYST

CONCORD IN SIGHT

                                                           2020Z

TO: C IN C AFLOAT                                         FROM: CONCORD

                      EMERGENCY              UNCLASIFIED

YOUR 301943.    THEY HAVE GONE.

                                                                 D.T.G…302000Z..JULY .

K/M

EMERGENCY

TO..N.A.NANKING  A.N.A.SHANGHAI (R) C IN C.F.E.S. AFLOAT FROM. C.IN.C.F.E.S. ASHORE

AT APPROXIMATELY 2200I YESTERDAY SATURDAY H.M.S. AMETHYST GOT UNDER WAY COMING UNDER FIRE AS SHE DID SO AND PROCEEDED DOWN RIVER. SHE WAS AGAIN FIRED ON OFF KIANGCIR.  AT O520 TODAY SUNDAY SHE WAS MET OF WOOSUNG BY H.M.S. CONCORD AND REPORTED SHE HAD REJOINED THE FLEET WITH NO DAMAGE OR CASUALTIES.

2.. FURTHER SIGNALS FOLLOWS.

                                                               3002100Z

          EMERGENCY    UNCLASIFIED

TO..C.IN.C.F.E.S. (R) ADMTY  A.C.N.B.    FROM AMETHYST

HAVE REJOINED THE FLEET SOUTH OF WOOSUNG.

NO DAMAGE OR CASUALTIES.  GOD SAVE THE KING.

SIGNAL

TO:  CONCORD                                           FROM: AMETHYST

Never has a ship been more welcome

INWARD           COMMISSIONER GENERAL IN SOUTH EAST ASIA,                 

                                                                                            SINGAPORE.

  THIS DOCUMENTIS CONFIDENTIAL AND MUST NOT BE GIVEN WIDER DISTRIBUTION THAN THAT INDICATED BELOW WITHOUT PRIOR REFERENCE TO THIS OFFICE.

TELEGRAME NUMBER 447                                             CYPHER/OTP.

FROM: NANKING.                DATED       31^ST JULY.1949

TO: FOREIGN OFFICE.                    DESP/RECD:      311338  GH

Tel.  No 1139

(R)    Singapore.                  Deciphered:                  311535 GH

          HONGKONG.

          SHANGHI

          CANTON

EMERGENCY.

CONFIDENTIAL:

     Addressed to Foreign Office, telegram number 1139 of July 31^st’repeated for information to C. in C. Far East Station, Singapore, Hongkong, Shanghai Embassy Office, Canton.

        My immediately preceding telegram.

                                             AMETHYST.

Following further points have occurred to me in connection with public statement.

(a)  No repeat no publicity should be given to the fact that H.M.Ship Concord entered Chinese territorial waters.

(b)  Amethyst, in getting under way was forced to reply to fire directed at her by shore batteries. It should be stressed that she did so to the minimum necessary for self-protection.

(c)   I might help to lesson the possible repercussions upon British communities in Communist occupied territory if public statements could stress that the escape of H. M. Ship Amethyst was due to the initiative of the officer in command in accordance with the best traditions of a sailor responsible for the safety of his ship and the welfare of the ships company and that his intention to do so was not revealed to any of us out here.  As the Communists have refused to deal with H.M. Embassy in the matter which they have, in fact, insisted upon treating as a local issue for discussion between the P.L.A. and the R.N. such a statement on our part is logical and cannot repeat not harm persons concerned.

Singapore please pass to C. in C. F.E.S. as my emergency telegram number 117 and to Hongkong as my immediate telegram number284.

PCO.FES. (12)                                                            STEVENSON.

POL.(5)                         Advance copy to F.E.S. 311545

Within the paragraph marked (c) in that telegram where it’s stated; “such a statement on our part is logical and cannot repeat cannot harm persons concerned.” Now there’s a point to ponder.

ANY MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT INTRESTED!!!
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The 1949 Yangtze Incident
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