DSM Winner

“For gallantry determination and skill while serving in the 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, beyond 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 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 had been spent in destroyers. The ship he loved the most was the “Cossack,” in which he spent 18 months

Jim’s younger brother Peter is also in the Navy serving in a minesweeper, and he is expected home early in October after being away for more than two years.