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HMS
Li Wo was sunk on 14th February 1942 (77 died; 7 Prisoners of War; her Commanding Officer
was awarded the VC)
VC WON IN NAVAL ACTION
The Times, Wednesday December 18,1946.
RNR Officer's Valour
The King has approved the award of the Victoria Cross to: The late Temporary Lieutenant Thomas Wilkinson, RNR.
On February 14, 1942, HMS Li Wo, a patrol vessel of 1,000 tons, formerly a passenger steamer on the Upper Yangtze River, was on passage from Singapore to Batavia. Her ships company consisted of 84 officers and men, including one civilian; they were mainly survivors from His Majesties Ships which had been sunk, and a few units of the Army and R.A.F. Her armament was only one 4in. gun, for which she had only 13 practice shells, and two machine guns.
Since leaving Singapore the previous day, the ship had beaten off 4 air attacks, in one of which 52 machines took part, and had suffered considerable damage. Late in the afternoon she sighted two enemy convoys, the larger of which was escorted by Japanese naval units, including a heavy cruiser and some destroyers. The commanding officer, Lieutenant T. Wilkinson, gathered his scratch ships company together and told them that, rather than try to escape, he had decided to engage the convoy and fight to the last, in the hope that he might inflict damage upon the enemy. In making this decision, which drew resolute support from the whole ships company, Lieutenant Wilkinson knew that his ship faced certain destruction, and that his own chances of survival were small.
Straight for the Enemy
HMS Li Wo hoisted her battle ensign and made straight for the enemy. In the action which followed the machine guns were used with effect upon the crews of the ships within range, and a volunteer gun's crew manned the 4in. gun, which they fought with such purpose that a Japanese transport was badly hit and set on fire.
After a little over an hour HMS Li Wo had been critically damaged and was sinking. Lieutenant Wilkinson then decided to ram his principal target, the large transport, which had been abandoned by her crew. It is known that this ship burnt fiercely throughout the night following the action and was probably sunk.
HMS Li Wo's gallant fight ended when her shells spent and under heavy fire from the enemy cruiser, Lieutenant Wilkinson finally ordered abandon ship. He himself remained on board and went down with her. There were only about 10 survivors, who were later made prisoners of war.
Lieutenant Wilkinson's valour was equalled only by the skill with which he fought his ship. The Victoria Cross is bestowed upon him posthumously in recognition both of his own heroism and self sacrifice and of that of all who fought and died with him.
Lieutenant Wilkinson, who was 44, was the youngest of five sons of the late Captain William Wilkinson, of Widnes. His
VC is the 181st awarded in the war, and the 22nd won by the Navy.
HMS Li Wo became the most decorated small ship in the Royal Navy, the
awards were as follows:
His Majesty has approved the following awards to officers and men of HMS Li Wo:
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Victoria
Cross - Temporary Lieutenant Thomas Wilkinson, RNR
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Distinguished
Service Order - Temporary Sub Lieutenant Ronald George Gladstone
Stanton RNR
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Conspicuous
Gallantry Medal - Acting Petty Officer Arthur William Thompson
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Distinguished
Service Medal - Leading Seaman Victor Spencer
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Distinguished
Service Medal - Able Seaman Albert Spendlove
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Mentioned in
Despatches (Posthumously) - Temporary Lieutenant Edgar Neil
Derbridge, RNZNV
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Mentioned in
Despatches (Posthumously) -
Temporary Sub Lieut. J. G. Petherbridge, Malaya RNVR
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Mentioned in
Despatches (Posthumously) -
Able Seaman Desmond Palmer
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Mentioned in
Despatches - Acting Chief Petty Officer Charles Halme
Rogers
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Mentioned in
Despatches -
Leading Seaman William Dick Wilding
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Mentioned in
Despatches -
Able Seaman John Smith
Other References
Illustrated London News 28/12/1946 p.750
For Valour. Naval Victoria Crosses WWll L J Lind
Naval Historical View, Dec 1974 pp.13-21
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