South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 18 August 1945
D.S.M. Winner
“For gallantry, determination and skill whilst serving in H.M. Ship Viceroy in successful attacks against enemy submarines.” These are the words of the citation accompanying the award of the Distinguished Service Medal to Petty Officer James Madin, eldest son of Mr., and Mrs. J. Madin, of 33 Prior Road, Conisbrough.
P.O. Madin joined the Navy at the age of 16. He is a worthy member of the Silent Service, for it is difficult to get him to talk of his many experiences during the past six years saying that he ‘has been in Malta, Greece, Crete and Tobruk. He marvels at the way in which we kept the Mediterranean open with the little ships (he was in a corvette out there). After assisting to get the Eighth Army on its way for a second time he left for service with the Home Fleet in “E-Boat Alley.”
After the surrender of the Germans he sailed for Norway, and last month he had a few days’ leave, On his return to duty he received a letter from Mr. Churchill, dated May 8th, congratulating him and the rest of the crew for successfully attacking and sinking a U-boat. He has served in large and small ships, but most of his time has been spent in destroyers. The ship he loved most was the “Cossack,” in which he spent 18 months.
Jim’s younger brother, Peter, is also in the Navy serving in a mine-sweeper, and he is expected home early in October after being away for more than two years.