A rare Great War Silver S.G.M. awarded to Private W. Munday, 7th Battalion, Gloucestershire...

A rare Great War Silver S.G.M. awarded to Private W. Munday, 7th Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment, for his services in helping to extinguish the fires that burned for several days on H.M. Transport Caronia in May 1917 Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., silver (William Munday. H.M.T. “Caronia” May 1917) suspension claw slightly loose, good very fine and rare to the Army £600-£800 --- 27 Silver and 10 Bronze Sea Gallantry Medals were awarded to the British Army 1857 to 1923, 19 of which were for this action. William Munday was awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal in Silver for his gallantry aboard H.M. Transport Caronia which caught fire in May 1917 whilst at sea, the original Recommendation stating:
‘In May 1917 while HM Transport Caronia was at sea, a series of fires occurred in her bunkers. The crew endeavoured for over five days to extinguish the fire, the Master was obliged to ask for the assistance of the troops on board and a number of them volunteered to go into the bunkers, where they rendered valuable assistance in extinguishing the outbreak. The services of non-commissioned officers and men are reported as deserving of special recognition. Very considerable risk was incurred in rendering the services. Frequent explosions occurred and a number of men were seriously injured.’ The Ship’s Log gives further details, and records that the first fire was reported on 20 May, and it took 11 days before they were all extinguished:
‘On 20th May 1917 at 0300 whilst sailing from Durban to Tunghi Bay No 2 Coal Bunker was discovered to be on fire, every effort was made to extinguish the flames. On 24th May at 2100 No 3 port Coal Bunker discovered to be on fire, steps taken immediately to extinguish the fire. On 25th May at 1430, Robert Jones Leading Fireman, Henry Foulkes and Henry Gilfoyle Trimmers received extensive burns as a result of an explosion in bunkers, treated in Ship’s Hospital, at 1900 William Clarke, Boilermaker was gassed the result of an explosion in Coal Bunker and treated in Ship’s Hospital. At 0630 on 26th May George Pattison, 4th Engineer was gassed, the result of an explosion in a Coal Bunker and treated in Ship’s Hospital, at 1300 two further crew members were admitted to the Ship’s Hospital one with injuries, one gassed, at 1400 and 1500 two crewmen were gassed from an explosion. On 27th May at 1000 William Penny 4th Engineer was gassed the result of an explosion, at 1030 two more crew were gassed in an explosion, at 1930 a Trimmer was injured by an explosion. At 1500 on 28th May two crewmen were transferred to another ship for onward passage to hospital at Durban. On 31st May at 1900 the Chief Engineer reported all fires now extinguished.’ Sold with copied research.