Footnotes

• Dr William Chisholm was the Surgeon aboard the Stentor (China Steam Navigation Co. Ltd).
  
  Albert Medal. London Gazette 27.4.1943.
  
  The ship in which Mr Chisholm was serving was torpedoed in darkness and immediately began to sink. A fire broke out, which enveloped the bridge in flames, and orders were given to abandon the vessel. She sank within eight minutes. One of the senior officers, who was on the bridge was badly injured. He was taken to the surgery, where Dr Chisholm immediately attended to him, and afterwards, as he was helpless, helped him to the deck in order to get him away from the sinking ship. Mr Chisholm's efforts, however, were unsuccessful and neither he nor the officer was seen again. Although the ship was sinking rapidly. Mr Chisholm remained and deliberately sacrificed his chance of safety in a gallant attempt to save the life of another.
  
  Lloyd's War Medal for Bravery at Sea. Lloyd's List and Shipping Gazette 14.10.1943.
  
  When the ship, sailing in convoy, was torpedoed in darkness a large fire broke out forward and flames enveloped the bridge. Orders were given to abandon the vessel and she sank within eight minutes. One of the officers who was badly injured was taken to the surgery. Dr Chisholm at once attended to him and, as he was helpless, assisted him to the deck in order to get him away from the vessel. Dr Chisholm's brave attempt, however was unsucessful, as both he and the officer went down with the ship. He could have saved himself, but he chose to sacrifice his safety in a gallant effort to rescue another.
  
  The action took place on 27th October 1942 where the Stentor formed part of a convoy which up until the 26th had been left alone by the U.Boats. The tanker Anglo Maersk was sunk on the 26th whilst when darkness came on the night of the 27th the U Boats sank the Pacific Star and shortly after the Stentor became a target. The following nights saw others lost to the U.Boats including Hopecastle, Nagpore, Brittany, Bullmouth and Corinaldo.
  
  Surgeon William Chisholm is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, he died aged 43. He was the son of Alexander and Mary Chisholm, he served with the Seaforth Highlanders during WW1 seeing six months service in France (entitled to BWM and Victory Pair), he then studied at the University of Aberdeen.
  
  A total of 211 Bronze Medals were awarded for the Sea.

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Category: Coins / Coins and Banknotes

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