Page 51 - History of War - Issue 05-14

V FOR VALOUR: EDWARD FEGEN

Charles Pears’ painting The Jervis Bay Action,
5 November 1940 depicts the last moments
of Edward Fegen’s ship, which was sunk
while bravely defending convoy HX 84

Fegen himself survived the impact but his left were later picked up by the convoy’s Swedish of the 37 slow-moving merchant ships would
arm was severed. Using his right hand to keep ship Stureholm. The latter ship’s skipper, Sven have been destroyed.
it from falling off, in extreme pain and bleeding Olander – though notionally neutral – could not For his part in the defence of HX 84, Captain
profusely, Fegen continued to command the leave the men to the freezing North Atlantic Edward Fegen was posthumously awarded
ship until another shell destroyed the bridge, after witnessing their heroic actions. Having fled the Victoria Cross, and was remembered in
killing the Captain and his crew. the area, he later turned his ship around and Sir Winston Churchill’s famous speech,
Jervis Bay continued on her course towards managed to rescue 68 men. broadcast on 13 May 1945, where he said,
Scheer, her guns still firing impotently, until she “When I think of these days, I think also of
was finally halted by yet another direct hit. The Gallant course of action other episodes and personalities. I do not forget
ship was ablaze from bow to stern and beginning The battle had cost the lives of 187 of Jervis Lieutenant-Commander Esmonde VC, DSO,
to sink, yet she continued to fight: survivors Bay’s crew, but had kept Admiral Scheer busy Lance-Corporal Kenneally VC, Captain Fegen
recalled the hissing sound as the water closed for over three hours, and caused her to expend VC and other Irish heroes who I could easily
over the red-hot gun barrels. hundreds of shells in the process, depleting recite, and all bitterness by Britain for the Irish
With the engines stalled and the guns silent, her arsenal. The German vessel went on to race dies in my heart. I can only pray that in
navigation officer Lieutenant Commander sink seven ships of the convoy, with the loss years which I shall not see, the shame will be
George Roe gave the order to abandon ship. The of a further 253 men, but the damage would forgotten and the glories will endure, and that
remaining men crammed themselves into three have been considerably greater had Captain the peoples of the British Isles and of the British
tiny lifeboats, which tossed about on the waves. Fegen not taken the gallant, albeit suicidal, Commonwealth of Nations will walk together
Those who survived the freezing conditions course of action. In all likelihood, the majority in mutual comprehension and forgiveness.” w

1934-35 1935 1935-38 1939 1940

OCT-FEB OCTOBER THROUGHOUT JULY JUNE 5 NOV
He attends a Senior He does a three- For the best part of four He takes command of He is promoted to Acting Edward Fegen is killed
Officer’s War Course month stint aboard years, he is stationed at HMS Emerald, a cruiser Captain in command of defending Convoy HX 84
at Royal Naval College HMS Dauntless. HM Dockyard, in command in the Reserve Fleet. Armed Merchant Cruiser against Admiral Scheer.
in Greenwich. of the light cruisers HMS HMS Jervis Bay. He is 49 years old.
Curlew and HMS Dragon
in the Reserve Fleet.

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