Crew of HMS Dasher Recognised for Award of the Arctic Star

Only nine months after she was commissioned as a Royal Navy aircraft carrier, HMS Dasher’s service ended in a cataclysmic explosion in the Firth of Clyde on 27 March 1943. In her short life Dasher made a full contribution to the war effort including participation in the Battle of the Atlantic, the invasion of North Africa (Operation TORCH) and escorting the Arctic Convoy JW53. That last duty has, however, brought a small piece of good news with the very recent decision by the Honours and Ceremonial Branch of the Ministry of Defence that HMS Dasher’s crew, on board for that duty, qualify for the award of the Arctic Star medal.

The Arctic Star was instituted relatively recently, in 2013. Its award recognises operational service within the Arctic Circle of any duration. HMS Dasher was tasked with escorting Convoy JW53 in February 1943.  During the course of that duty her hull split during a violent storm and she was forced to seek shelter in the northern lee of Iceland. Although photographic evidence of that episode existed, establishing HMS Dasher’s precise movements and position beyond doubt took some considerable time. This was only possible by working in diligent partnership with Honours and Ceremonial Branch. Now that qualification has been acknowledged and the heroic service of these sailors and aviators can be officially recognised for their families.

Relatives of HMS Dasher’s crew who seek the Artic Star on behalf of their kin can now apply to the MoD Medals Office, Room G36, Innsworth House, Imjin Barracks, Gloucester, GL3 1HW; [email protected]. The application form may be found on the gov.uk website < https://www.gov.uk/apply-medal-or-veterans-badge/apply-for-a-medal > or just search for ‘medal application’ and it should take you there. The form is reasonably straightforward and requires the applicant to provide whatever details they have regarding the service person plus Next of Kin details in cases such as this. I am advised that it would also be helpful if applicants could include any other relevant information regarding their relative’s service.

This positive, and very welcome recognition is now part of the history of this tragic ship. Having faced the hazards of wartime service in freezing Arctic waters, only some six weeks later 379 of her crew perished in the bitterly cold waters between Ardrossan and the isle of Arran. There were only 149 survivors. This was the second biggest loss of life in inshore waters during World War II. Yet, other than by relatives of the crew and communities in the Firth of Clyde, this loss goes largely unacknowledged and some loved ones died never having been told the facts. There remain many unanswered questions about the disaster itself and why only 23 bodies were, apparently, recovered from a sinking close to shore on a fine Spring, Saturday afternoon. The search for evidence, or indeed further unmarked burials, that will bring an end to this mystery continues. The researchers who secured the Arctic Star recognition want to hear from anyone who might have any information whatsoever be it from a family member of a survivor or an eye witness to help in this quest, or letters, or family stories.

Please contact Dame Mary Richardson at [email protected]. She and the small research team would warmly welcome any information, however seemingly trivial. Mary is the daughter of a lost Dasher sailor, George Arthur Habgood, who was the ship’s butcher.