- Author
- Periodical, Semaphore
- Subjects
- Biographies and personal histories, History - WW1, WWI operations
- Tags
-
- RAN Ships
- HMAS Australia I
- Publication
- September 2010 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
Four of the VCs won at Zeebrugge were decided by ballot which allowed for a recipient to be elected by those present at the action when it was considered that the corporate bravery of a unit warranted the award. One of the Australian sailors, Leading Seaman Rudd, was nominated for the award of the VC in this manner. Although he did not ultimately receive the award he was decorated with a DSM along with his shipmates Leading Seaman Bush and Able Seaman Staples.
Others who distinguished themselves during the assault on the mole were Mentioned in Despatches, including Able Seamen Newland and Gillard and Stoker McCrory. McCrory had previously served in the RAN Bridging Train at Gallipoli and with the Australian lmperial Force in France. He was also later awarded the Belgian Croix de Guerre for his service in Thetis.
While tales of naval operations and battles invariably feature warships, technology and equipment, the key factor of naval capability remains the sailor. The bravery displayed by the eleven Australians who participated in the raid on Zeebrugge is a remarkable demonstration of courage which has become a hallmark of the Australian sailor.