Race on to keep Navy George Cross in Australia

Navy is seeking to preserve an important piece of its heritage. In 1945 LCDR George Gosse, a Mine Disposal (CD/MCM) Officer was awarded the George Cross.

According to his citation, on May 8 1945 divers searching Undesee Hafen reported the presence of a possibly new type of German mine. The then LEUT Gosse immediately dived on the mine and confirmed it was a pressure type mine known as an ‘Oyster’. As a new type the mine needed to be recovered intact rather than detonated.

The following day Gosse dived again and, using improvised tools, succeeded in removing the primer after considerable effort. As he did so a loud report was heard. After the mine was recovered the detonator was found to have fired immediately he had removed the primer.

Over the next ten days, with complete disregard to his own safety, LEUT Gosse rendered safe two more ‘Oyster’ mines lying in close proximity to nearby shipping and on each occasion the detonator fired.

The George Cross ranks second only to the Victoria Cross. Despite the ranking, only nine have been awarded to Australian Service personnel. Five were awarded to Navy, of which four were awarded to Mine Clearance specialists.

Now Sotheby’s are looking to sell Gosse’s medals overseas for $120,000. The Naval Association is determined they remain in Australia and DCN has pledged Navy’s fullest support.

The Clearance Divers’ Association is organising a nation-wide raffle and tickets will be made available to all ships and establishments. A trust fund, of which DCN is a trustee, has been established.

All hands are asked to support the effort by participating in the raffle, direct donation or other money-raising schemes. Donations should be sent to the NAA George Medal Trust Fund, c/- the National Secretary NAA, GPO Box 711 Canberra ACT 2601.

The Navy point of contact is SBLT Naomi Hillen on telephone 02 6265 3424, mobile 0408 298048 or
e-mail: naomi.hillen@defence.gov.au.

Navy News considers the medals are a significant part of Navy’s long and proud history and heritage. Their sale overseas would be a significant loss to the Navy, the ADF and Australia.

We encourage all ships, establishments and sporting and other groups to support the initiative and to send in details of any money-raising activities they get underway.

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