D.S.M. London Gazette 11/6/1942. ‘For gallantry and undaunted devotion to
duty’.
King Haakon VII Liberty Medal. London Gazette 26/8/1947
‘For excellent co-operation with Norwegian Forces during many difficult
minelaying operations in enemy waters’.
Chief Petty Officer John Brearley was born on
7/1/1901 in Rochdale, Lancashire. He was working as a warehouseman when he
enlisted as a Boy 2nd Class on 18/6/1918. He was posted to HMS Powerful
(training ship) 18/6/1918 – undecipherable date. Posted to HMS Agincourt he
deserted (date unreadable) ‘on the run’ until 2/4/1919 when he was recovered
from absence by the civil police authorities Chesterfield. He received 42 days detention for
the run which was removed from his record in 1924.
While serving with HMS Veteran (Destroyer) 2/2/1926
– 10/9/1928 and was involved in the 1927 Nanking Incident in which they bombarded
the city to defend foreign residents against rioting and looting.
Awarded the Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
21/4/1938.
On the outbreak of WW2 he had risen to the rank of Chief
Petty Officer and was serving on HMS Rodney (Nelson class battleship) 28/7/1939
– 15/8/1940. Drake 1 (shore base) 16/8/1940 – 19/12/1940.
Motor Launch ML 104 from 20/12/1940 – 1/4/1941, ML 104 1/7/1941
– records end. It would appear that he was the commander of the M.L.104 at the time.
M.L. 100 – 111 were Fairmile (A model) motor launches which was used as a mine layers. The fascinating subject WW2 mine barriers are worthy of further research. The barriers which in part were laid by the small M.L’s were designed to block and channel the German Navy, small mine fields were also laid in German controlled shipping lanes to sink and harass enemy shipping. Laid under cover of darkness in enemy patrolled waters and a long way from home, they also had to contend with the Atlantic.
He survived the war to be released from the service on
13/9/1945.
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