Page 46 - History of War - Issue 05-14

FOR VALOUR

Unsung heroes

Xxxxx Xxxxx

EDWARD

FEGEN

cruiser. Unfortunately, Amphion’s claim
to fame was that she would be the first British
Royal Navy ship sunk after the outbreak of
the First World War. In the early morning
y he
y he
y he
val hero from the da
val hero from the da
val hero from the da
val hero from the da
Destined to be a na
Destined to be a na
y he
Destined to be a na val hero from the da y he of 6 August 1911, she hit a mine laid the
Destined to be a na
Destined to be a naval hero from the day he
Destined to be a na
as
egen w
as
ard F
egen w
ard F
w w w
w was born, Edward Fegen was as selfless as he was as born, Edward Fegen was as selfless as he was as born, Edward Fegen was as selfless as he was
was born, Edward Fegen was as selfless as he was day before by SS Königin Luise. The front
as bor
as bor
as as selfless as he w
n,
as as selfless as he w
w
w
n,
Ed
Ed
of the ship was engulfed in flames and she
ratt explains,
fearless. As Steve Jarratt explains, his final act of gallantry
fearless. As Steve Jarratt explains, his final act of gallantry less. As Steve Jarratt explains, his final act of gallantry less. As Steve Jarratt explains, his final act of gallantry
less. As Ste
ve Jar
fear
fear less. As Ste ve Jar ratt explains, his final act of gallantr y suffered around 150 casualties, with many
y
fear
fear
his final act of gallantr
y ear
aboard HMS Jervis Bay earned him a Victoria Cross vis Bay earned him a Victoria Cross vis Bay earned him a Victoria Cross of the men below deck enjoying breakfast.
y ear
vis Ba
vis Ba
ictoria Cross
aboard HMS Jer
ned him a V
ictoria Cross
aboard HMS Jer
ned him a V
aboard HMS Jer
aboard HMS Jer
aboard HMS Jervis Bay earned him a Victoria Cross
With the ship beginning to sink, escorting
and a posthumous tribute from Winston Churchill
and a posthumous tribute from Winston Churchill
and a posthumous tribute from Winston Churchill
and a posthumous tribute from Winston Churchill
and a posthumous tribute from Winston Churchill destroyers came to rescue the remaining
and a posthumous tribute from Winston Churchill
F OLLOWING THE FALL OF MOST OF t the sole escor y y t of HMS Jer ver ted into an ordeal, and saw out the rest of the war on a
crew. Then, just three minutes later, the
drifting vessel struck another mine and sank.
t of HMS Jer
vis Ba
a 1922
y
y
vis Ba
a 1922
,
,
the sole escort of HMS Jervis Bay, a 1922 t of HMS Jervis Bay, a 1922 t of HMS Jervis Bay, a 1922
the sole escort of HMS Jervis Bay, a 1922
Young Edward managed to survive the
the sole escor
the sole escor
the sole escor
ALL OF MOST OF
OLLO
ALL OF MOST OF
ALL OF MOST OF
ALL OF MOST OF
ALL OF MOST OF
OLLO
WING THE F
WING THE F
OLLO
OLLO
OLLO
WING THE F
WING THE F
WING THE F
British passenger liner con
British passenger liner con
ted into an
British passenger liner converted into an
British passenger liner con
British passenger liner converted into an verted into an verted into an
British passenger liner con
ver
Britain stood vir
Britain stood vir
Britain stood vir
Britain stood vir
Europe,
Europe,
Britain stood vir
Europe,
Europe,
tually alone
tually alone
Europe, Britain stood virtually alone
Europe,
tually alone
tually alone
tually alone
,
,
and commanded
uiser
uiser
and commanded
med Merchant Cr
med Merchant Cr
Ar Armed Merchant Cruiser, and commanded med Merchant Cruiser, and commanded med Merchant Cruiser, and commanded
number of destroyers, rising through the ranks
Ar Ar Ar
Armed Merchant Cruiser, and commanded
against the Ger
against the Ger
against the German war machine. man war machine. man war machine.
against the Ger
ar machine.
against the German war machine.
against the Ger
man w
man w
ar machine.
vy Captain Ed
egen.
b by veteran Royal Navy Captain Edward Fegen. y veteran Royal Navy Captain Edward Fegen. y veteran Royal Navy Captain Edward Fegen.
vy Captain Ed
al Na
to become second-in-command of Torpedo
egen.
ard F
al Na
w
y veteran Ro
y veteran Ro
w
by veteran Royal Navy Captain Edward Fegen.
b b b
ard F
as,
the nation
the nation
as,
as w
ealth
ealth
y as it w
y as it w
as w
But, as wealthy as it was, the nation
But,
But,
But, as wealthy as it was, the nation as wealthy as it was, the nation as wealthy as it was, the nation
But,
But,
HX 84 had been enjoying an uneventful
HX 84 had been enjo
HX 84 had been enjo
HX 84 had been enjo
Boat 26. He was appointed Lieutenant of
HX 84 had been enjoying an uneventful ying an uneventful ying an uneventful
HX 84 had been enjo
ventful
ventful
ying an une
ying an une
couldn’
couldn’t support the war effort without
couldn’t support the war effort without t support the war effort without t support the war effort without
t the w
t without
ar effor
ar effor
t suppor
t suppor
couldn’
t the w
couldn’
couldn’
t without
jour
the Admiralty M-class ship HMS Paladin on
jour
journey across the Atlantic Ocean when, on
jour
jour
ne
y across the Atlantic Ocean when,
journey across the Atlantic Ocean when, on ney across the Atlantic Ocean when, on ney across the Atlantic Ocean when, on
ne
y across the Atlantic Ocean when,
on
on
t
help. Just two weeks after the start
eeks after the star
help. Just two weeks after the start eeks after the start eeks after the start
help. Just two w
eeks after the star
help. Just two w
help. Just two w
help. Just two w
as spotted b
vember
y
the morning of 5 November, it was spotted by
the mor
ning of 5 No
the morning of 5 November, it was spotted by ning of 5 November, it was spotted by ning of 5 November, it was spotted by
the mor
the mor
it w
y set sail
y set sail
the fir
st con
of hostilities,
st con
of hostilities, the first convoy set sail
of hostilities,
of hostilities, the first convoy set sail the first convoy set sail the first convoy set sail
the fir
of hostilities,
of hostilities,
vo
vo
et battleship Admiral Scheer…
et battleship Admiral Scheer…
the feared pock
the feared pocket battleship Admiral Scheer…
the feared pocket battleship Admiral Scheer…
the feared pock
On 24 March 1918, Fegen would prove
the feared pock
et battleship Admiral Scheer…
et battleship Admiral Scheer…
the feared pock
F from Halifax in the Canadian province from Halifax in the Canadian province from Halifax in the Canadian province
F F F F from Halifax in the Canadian province from Halifax in the Canadian province from Halifax in the Canadian province
his worth while in command of HMS Garland,
va Scotia,
of No
of Nova Scotia, carrying vital supplies bound for
car
ying vital supplies bound for
of No
of No va Scotia, car r r ying vital supplies bound for the mor ning of 5 No vember , , it w as spotted b y 24 July 1917.
of No
of Nova Scotia, carrying vital supplies bound for va Scotia, carrying vital supplies bound for va Scotia, carrying vital supplies bound for
Engulfed in flames
Engulfed in flames
Engulfed in flames
Engulfed in flames
Engulfed in flames
British por
ts and bearing the designation HX 1.
British ports and bearing the designation HX 1.
British por
ts and bearing the designation HX 1.
ts and bearing the designation HX 1.
British por ts and bearing the designation HX 1. Engulfed in flames escorting a convoy of 16 ships along the
British ports and bearing the designation HX 1.
British por
ys
ogar
ogar
ty F
ogar
ard Stephen F
ard Stephen F
ogar
egen w
egen w
egen w
egen w
ty F
ty F
ty F
ard Stephen F
Ed
as bor
as bor
Edward Stephen Fogarty Fegen was born on
Ed
Ed
Ed
w
w
ard Stephen F
w
as bor
as bor
w
Over the course of the war, 377 HX convoys
n on
n on
Over the cour
n on
Over the cour
ar
n on
Over the cour
vo
Over the course of the war, 377 HX convoys se of the war, 377 HX convoys se of the war, 377 HX convoys
Over the cour se of the w ar , , 377 HX con vo ys Ed w ard Stephen F ogar ty F egen w as bor n on English Channel. One of the ships, the 7,951-
377 HX con
se of the w
ran the gauntlet of the German Kriegsmarine,
ran the gauntlet of the German Kriegsmarine, man Kriegsmarine, man Kriegsmarine,
8 October 1891,
8 October 1891,
8 October 1891, to Irish parents in Southsea, to Irish parents in Southsea, to Irish parents in Southsea,
8 October 1891,
8 October 1891, to Irish parents in Southsea,
man Kriegsmarine,
ran the gauntlet of the Ger
ran the gauntlet of the Ger
ran the gauntlet of the Ger
to Irish parents in Southsea,
ran the gauntlet of the Ger man Kriegsmarine, 8 October 1891, to Irish parents in Southsea, ton British freighter SS War Knight, turned
e
comprising some 20,000 merchant vessels plus
comprising some 20,000 merchant vessels plus
ver
he
comprising some 20,000 merchant vessels plus
comprising some 20,000 merchant vessels plus
comprising some 20,000 merchant vessels plus
on the south coast of England. How
on the south coast of England. However, he ever, he ever, he
on the south coast of England. How
comprising some 20,000 merchant vessels plus on the south coast of England. How e ver , , he sharply and collided with the 8,982-ton US
on the south coast of England. How
on the south coast of England. However, he
their escor
v
n
their escor
their escor
their escor
v
n
was brought up in Ballinlonty, County Tipperary,
w was brought up in Ballinlonty, County Tipperary, as brought up in Ballinlonty, County Tipperary, as brought up in Ballinlonty, County Tipperary,
y
s
s
their escorts. Around ten per cent of the convoys
ts. Around ten per cent of the c
o
as brought up in Ballinlonty
o
o
County Tipperar
ts. Around ten per cent of the c
o
their escorts. Around ten per cent of the convoys ts. Around ten per cent of the convoys ts. Around ten per cent of the convoys w w w as brought up in Ballinlonty , , County Tipperar y y , , tanker OB Jennings, causing an explosion
y
ere attack
resulting in a total loss of 206
resulting in a total loss of 206
as a staunch Irishman and devout Catholic.
ere attack
as a staunch Irishman and de
as a staunch Irishman and de
as a staunch Irishman and de
as a staunch Irishman and de
w were attacked, resulting in a total loss of 206 ere attacked, resulting in a total loss of 206 ere attacked, resulting in a total loss of 206
vout Catholic.
w w w
ed,
were attacked, resulting in a total loss of 206 as a staunch Irishman and devout Catholic. and spilling burning naphtha into the sea.
ed,
vout Catholic.
vout Catholic.
vout Catholic.
Ed
Edward was the son of Royal Navy Vice-Admiral ward was the son of Royal Navy Vice-Admiral ward was the son of Royal Navy Vice-Admiral
yed in the con
as the son of Ro
ard w
ere either destro
vo
vy V
w
Edward was the son of Royal Navy Vice-Admiral
ships, which were either destroyed in the convoy, which were either destroyed in the convoy, which were either destroyed in the convoy,
ships, which were either destroyed in the convoy,
al Na
ice-Admiral
ships,
which w
Ed
Ed
ships, which w ere either destro yed in the con vo y y , , Ed w ard w as the son of Ro y y al Na vy V ice-Admiral With the water ablaze on the starboard side
ships,
ships,
s or sunk via accidents.
and the successor to
and the successor to
pick ed off as straggler s or sunk via accidents. F F F Frederick Fogarty Fegen, and the successor to of Jennings, the crew all attempted to
ty F
ty F
rederick F
rederick F
ed off as straggler
ed off as straggler
s or sunk via accidents.
s or sunk via accidents.
s or sunk via accidents.
ed off as straggler
picked off as stragglers or sunk via accidents.
ogar
ogar
egen,
F Frederick Fogarty Fegen, and the successor to rederick Fogarty Fegen, and the successor to rederick Fogarty Fegen, and the successor to
pick
pick
ed off as straggler
egen,
pick
pick
a line of na
a line of naval officers dating back to 1778, so val officers dating back to 1778, so val officers dating back to 1778, so
a line of na
The HX series ran until August 1944 and, a line of na val officer s dating back to 1778, so disembark by the port side, causing one of
The HX series ran until August 1944 and,
The HX series ran until August 1944 and,
a line of na
a line of naval officers dating back to 1778, so
The HX series ran until August 1944 and,
val officer
The HX series ran until August 1944 and,
s dating back to 1778,
so
The HX series ran until August 1944 and,
as no sur
as no sur
during that time,
during that time, was engaged in a number of was engaged in a number of was engaged in a number of
it w
during that time, was engaged in a number of
during that time, w as engaged in a number of it was no surprise that he chose to follow in the as no surprise that he chose to follow in the as no surprise that he chose to follow in the the lifeboats to become swamped. Seeing
w
during that time,
during that time,
prise that he chose to follow in the
prise that he chose to follow in the
as engaged in a number of
it was no surprise that he chose to follow in the
it w
it w
it w
s old when
as just 12 year
family footsteps. He w
family footsteps. He was just 12 years old when as just 12 years old when as just 12 years old when
family footsteps. He w
family footsteps. He was just 12 years old when
family footsteps. He w
major incidents. In October 1940, HX 79 was
major incidents. In October 1940,
major incidents. In October 1940,
major incidents. In October 1940, HX 79 w as family footsteps. He w as just 12 year s old when this, Fegen carefully steered HMS Garland
HX 79 w
as
major incidents. In October 1940,
major incidents. In October 1940, HX 79 was HX 79 was HX 79 was
attack
al Na
attack ed b y a U-boat wolf pack and lost a dozen he joined the Osbor ne Ro y y al Na val College on in to rescue the men, then closed alongside
attack
ed b
attacked by a U-boat wolf pack and lost a dozen ed by a U-boat wolf pack and lost a dozen ed by a U-boat wolf pack and lost a dozen
attacked by a U-boat wolf pack and lost a dozen
y a U-boat wolf pack and lost a dozen
he joined the Osbor
he joined the Osborne Royal Naval College on
val College on
ne Ro
he joined the Osbor
he joined the Osborne Royal Naval College on ne Royal Naval College on ne Royal Naval College on
attack
he joined the Osbor
as
and at the age of 18 he w
ships from its complement of 49. the Isle of Wight, and at the age of 18 he w as the burning tanker, saving those survivors
the Isle of Wight,
the Isle of Wight,
the Isle of Wight, and at the age of 18 he was and at the age of 18 he was and at the age of 18 he was
the Isle of Wight,
the Isle of Wight, and at the age of 18 he was
ships from its complement of 49.
ships from its complement of 49.
ships from its complement of 49.
ships from its complement of 49.
ships from its complement of 49.
The problem was that with the Royal Navy
The problem w as that with the Ro y y al Na vy appointed Midshipman on HMS Dreadnought – left on board. In all, they rescued four officers
The problem was that with the Royal Navy as that with the Royal Navy as that with the Royal Navy
The problem w
as that with the Ro
The problem w
The problem w
appointed Midshipman on HMS Dreadnought –
appointed Midshipman on HMS Dreadnought –
appointed Midshipman on HMS Dreadnought –
appointed Midshipman on HMS Dreadnought –
vy
al Na
appointed Midshipman on HMS Dreadnought –
stretched thin, these early convoys were these early convoys were these early convoys were
stretched thin,
stretched thin, these early convoys were
y steam-turbine battleship that
stretched thin,
ere
these ear
ly con
stretched thin,
stretched thin, these ear ly con vo ys w ere the revolutionary steam-turbine battleship that and 22 men, and for their part in this valiant
y steam-turbine battleship that
the re
the re
the re
vo
ys w
volutionar
volutionar
the revolutionary steam-turbine battleship that volutionary steam-turbine battleship that volutionary steam-turbine battleship that
the re
ar
ar
ships.
ships.
med
ga
y ar
med
ga
gave its name to a generation of warships.ve its name to a generation of warships.ve its name to a generation of warships.
ga
ga
y ar
often only lightly protected,
often only lightly protected,
often only lightly protected, mainly by armed gave its name to a generation of warships. manoeuvre, Lieutenant Fegen and the
often only lightly protected,
mainly b
mainly b
often only lightly protected, mainly by armed mainly by armed mainly by armed
often only lightly protected,
ve its name to a generation of w
ve its name to a generation of w
as the case with HX 84
merchant ships. This was the case with HX 84
as the case with HX 84
as the case with HX 84
merchant ships. This w as the case with HX 84 On 4 F ebr uar y 1914, the young na val officer ship’s quartermaster, Patrick Driscoll, were
merchant ships. This w
merchant ships. This w
merchant ships. This w
merchant ships. This was the case with HX 84
val officer
ebr
On 4 February 1914, the young naval officer ebruary 1914, the young naval officer ebruary 1914, the young naval officer
On 4 February 1914, the young naval officer
On 4 F
the young na
y 1914,
uar
On 4 F
On 4 F
– a con
vo
– a convoy of 37 freighters and tankers under
– a con
– a convoy of 37 freighters and tankers under voy of 37 freighters and tankers under voy of 37 freighters and tankers under transferred to HMS Amphion, an Active-class red to HMS Amphion, an Active-class red to HMS Amphion, an Active-class both awarded Silver Sea Gallantry medals.
– a con
– a con
s and tank
s and tank
s under
er
er
y of 37 freighter
y of 37 freighter
vo
s under
red to HMS Amphion,
an Active-class
an Active-class
transfer
transfer
red to HMS Amphion,
transfer
transfer
transferred to HMS Amphion, an Active-class
46 HISTORY WAR
of