- Author
- Wright, Ken
- Subjects
- History - general
- Tags
- RAN Ships
- None noted.
- Publication
- March 2009 edition of the Naval Historical Review (all rights reserved)
The King and Queen of Italy were unswerving in their appreciation of the aid given to their people by other nations and in their determination to express their wholehearted thanks. Officers and ratings aboard Exmouth, Duncan, Euryalus, Minerva, Lancaster, Philomel and Boxer were awarded the 30mm silver ‘Messina Medal’. This was the Royal Navy’s greatest peacetime effort to aid a distressed civilian population and the Royal Navy’s commitment of 5,000 personnel has never been matched. All other foreign nationals, whether they were service or civilian personnel involved in the rescue operations, were similarly awarded the medal. The spirit of the Royal Navy that began hundreds of years ago came to the fore during this terrible time and lives on in the fleet today.
References.
Wilson J.W. and Perkins R., Angels in Blue Jackets – The Navy at Messina. Picton Publishing [Chippenham] Ltd, 1985.
Reckner J.R., Teddy Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet. Naval Institute Press. USA. 1988.