Captain GEORGE PARKER BEVAN

An extract from the "London Gazette" dated 9th July, 1918, records the following:- "On the 8th November, 1916, a series of explosions and fires occurred at Bakaritsa, Port of Archangel, on merchant ships and on the wharves. The S.S." Baron Driesen "had blown up at 1 p.m. and part of the "Earl of Forfar" forty minutes later, and fresh explosions were expected every instant. It was thought that all their crews had either escaped or been killed or rescued, but after dark cries of distress were heard from the "Earl of Forfar". The ship was a mass of flames at the time, and burning embers from the fire which was raging on shore were continually showered over her. She had a cargo of explosives on board and was abreast of the main conflagration. The flames were blown towards her by the wind, and the remaining portion of the ship was expected to be blown up at any moment. Captain Bevan, however, on hearing the cries proceeded on board, accompanied by Lieutenant-Commander MacMahon, and hearing moans from under the smouldering debris of the forecastle, cleared away the wreckage and extricated the mate, who had an arm and a leg and his collarbone broken, and passed him into the tug. Captain Bevan displayed the utmost gallantry and disregard of his personal safety."