Gazette Information: VICTORIA CROSS,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37819/supplements/6125. Temporary Lieutenant Thomas Wilkinson, Royal Naval Reserve. On 14th February 1942 in the Java Sea, HMS Li Wo, a patrol vessel, formerly a passenger steamer, commanded by Lieutenant Wilkinson, sighted two enemy convoys, one escorted by Japanese warships. The Lieutenant told his crew he had decided to engage the convoy and fight to the last in the hope of inflicting some damage – this decision drew resolute support from the whole of the ship's crew. In the action which followed a Japanese transport was set on fire and abandoned, and Li Wo stayed in action against a heavy cruiser for over an hour before being hit at point-blank range and sunk. Lieutenant Wilkinson ordered his crew to abandon ship, but he went down with Li Wo. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37387/supplements/6084.
Fold3_Team · 31/10/2023
Gazette Information: VICTORIA CROSS,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37819/supplements/6125. Temporary Lieutenant Thomas Wilkinson, Royal Naval Reserve. On 14th February 1942 in the Java Sea, HMS Li Wo, a patrol vessel, formerly a passenger steamer, commanded by Lieutenant Wilkinson, sighted two enemy convoys, one escorted by Japanese warships. The Lieutenant told his crew he had decided to engage the convoy and fight to the last in the hope of inflicting some damage – this decision drew resolute support from the whole of the ship's crew. In the action which followed a Japanese transport was set on fire and abandoned, and Li Wo stayed in action against a heavy cruiser for over an hour before being hit at point-blank range and sunk. Lieutenant Wilkinson ordered his crew to abandon ship, but he went down with Li Wo. MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES,: http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37387/supplements/6084.