Crew list of Ships hit by U-boats


Reginald Sharpe Craston

Merchant Navy. British

Born   1899


Decorations

2 Dec 1941Lloyd's War Medal
2 Dec 1941OBE
13 Apr 1943King's Commendation (C)
24 Apr 1945King's Commendation (C)

Roster information listed for Reginald Sharpe Craston


ShipTypeRank / roleAttacked onBoat
Ena de LarrinagaSteam merchantMaster5 Apr 1941U-105
Ocean VentureSteam merchantMaster8 Feb 1942U-108

Personal information

Award Citation for OBE as published in London Gazette on 2 December 1941:

The ship was torpedoed at night and sank in fifteen minutes. The Master ordered the crew to the boats and to stand by. He then searched the ship and stepped from the rail into one of the two boats just before the ship sank. The boats kept together through the night. At dawn the Master determined to make for an island about 500 miles away. The crew was divided, nineteen to each boat. After five days sailing one boat was met by a ship. On the eleventh day the Master sighted the island but, owing to wind, sea and current, could not make it. He then made for the mainland 200 miles away and reached it two days later.The Master set a fine example. His powers of command were shown in the organisation and discipline that prevailed when abandoning the ship, and during the thirteen days voyage in the boat. His courage and good seamanship saved the lives of his companions.

Reginald Sharpe Craston was also commended for his actions after the sinking of Ocean Venture and when in command of Ocean Courier, which was torpedoed and damaged by a German motor torpedo boat in the English Channel during the night of 30/31 July 1944.


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Crew list for Ships hit by U-boats