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David Broadfoot (21 July 1899 - 31 January 1953) was the radio officer on the Princess Victoria which sank disastrously in 1953, and was posthumously awarded the George Cross, the highest award for bravery to British civilians. July 21 is the 202nd day (203rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 163 days remaining. ...
1899 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ...
January 31 is the 31st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ...
1953 is a common year starting on Thursday. ...
The sinking of the Princess Victoria on 31 January 1953 in the North Channel was the worst maritime disaster in United Kingdom waters since World War II. The Princess Victoria was one of the earliest roll-on roll-off (RORO) ferries, built in 1947. ...
1953 is a common year starting on Thursday. ...
The George Cross The George Cross (GC) is the highest Commonwealth decoration awarded for acts of conspicuous gallantry not in the face of the enemy and is equal to the Victoria Cross. ...
He was born in Stranraer, Scotland and served in the merchant navy during the Second World War. Stranraer is a town in the south of Scotland in the west of the region of Dumfries and Galloway and was formerly in the county of Wigtownshire. ...
Scotland (Alba in Scottish Gaelic) is a country or nation and former independent kingdom of northwest Europe, and one of the four constituent parts of the United Kingdom. ...
In most seafaring countries, the merchant marine (or merchant navy) is a fleet of ships used for commerce that sometimes complements the navy. ...
Mushroom cloud from the nuclear explosion over Nagasaki rising 18 km into the air. ...
Here is the official announcement of his award.
"The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to make undermentioned award :-
GEORGE CROSS.
David BROADFOOT (deceased), Radio Officer, m.v. "Princess Victoria". (Stranraer.)
"Princess Victoria" left Stranraer on the morning of 31st January, 1953, carrying 127 passengers for Larne. After leaving Loch Ryan she encountered north-westerly gales and squalls of sleet and snow. A heavy sea struck the ship and burst open the stern doors and sea water flooded the space on the car deck causing a list to starboard of about 10 degrees. Attempts were made to secure the stern doors but without success. The Master tried his ship back to Loch Ryan but the conditions were of such severity that the manoeuvre failed. Some of the ship's cargo shifted from the port to the starboard side and this increased the list as the crippled vessel endeavoured to make her way across the Irish Sea. Larne (Latharna in Irish which means the lands of Lathar who was an Irish prince) is a town in County Antrim, Northern Ireland with a population of approximately 20,000 people. ...
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From the moment when "Princess Victoria" first got into difficulties, Radio Officer Broadfoot constantly sent out wireless messages giving the ship's position and asking for assistance. The severe list which the vessel had taken, and which was gradually increasing, rendered his task even more difficult. Despite the difficulties and danger he steadfastly continued his work at the transmitting set, repeatedly sending signals to the coast radio station to enable them to ascertain the ship’s exact position.
When "Princess Victoria" finally stopped in sight of the Irish Coast her list had increased to 45 degrees. The vessel was practically on her beam ends and the order to abandon ship was given. Thinking only of saving the lives of passengers and crew, Radio Officer Broadfoot remained in the W/T cabin, receiving and sending messages although he must have known that if he did this he had no chance of surviving. The ship finally foundered and Radio Officer Broadfoot went down with her. He had deliberately sacrificed his own life in an attempt to save others."
His grandchildren eventually donated his George Cross to the Stranraer town museum, where it is now on display along with other memorabilia from the sinking. A museum is typically a non-profit, permanent institution in the service of society and of its development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits, for purposes of study, education enjoyment, the tangible and intangible evidence of people and their environment. ...
See also
Sir Galahad, a hero of Arthurian legend In many myths and folk tales, a hero is a man or woman (the latter often called a heroine), traditionally the protagonist of a story, legend or saga, commonly possessed of abilities or character far greater than that of a typical person, which...
This is a list of world disasters, both natural and man-made. ...
List of United Kingdom disasters by death toll is a list of major disasters (excluding acts of war) which occurred in the United Kingdom or involved UK citizens, in a definable incident, where the loss of life exceeded 40. ...
External link - Article in database of George Cross recipients (http://www.gc-database.co.uk/recipients/BroadfootD.htm)
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