The Old and the Young

[Hobilar]

The youngest US serviceman was 12 year old Calvin Graham, USN. He was wounded in combat and given a Dishonourable Discharge for lying about his age. (His benefits were later restored by act of Congress).

In contrast, Admiral Sir W. H. Cowan, KCB, MVO. (A Commando Liaison Officer) was awarded a bar to his existing DSO for risking his life under fire to rescue a wounded Colonel, during the Italian campaign. He was a sprightly 73 at the time.

[515]

How did he swing that? 12. must of looked old lol. Awesome story though.

[Hobilar]

HMS Campeador was a steam yacht owned by Mr V W McAndrew. She was commissioned for patrol service by Commander C H Davey, OBE, Master of the Dartmooor foxhounds, and the three Sub-Lieutenants RNVR appointed to her were Mr McAndrew (the owner), Mr C E Turner, a docks superintandant, and a retired surgeon Rear-Admiral J R Muir. The youngest of these men was aged Fifty Eight and the oldest Sixty Seven.

Their ship soon acquired a high reputation for remaining on her station, and never returning to port to remedy defects if these could be rectified at sea. In fact they were at sea for Eighty Four days out of the first Ninety Five days of the Second World War.

After some months Sub-Lieutenant's McAndrew and Muir were recommend for promotion. The dedication of the little Campeador had by now reached the ears of no less a person than the First Sea Lord at the Admiralty. He had no hestitation in writing upon their recommendation document "Promote them -age will be served".

It was thus a very sad day at Portsmouth when news arrived that the little Campeador had been lost with all hands. This dedicated band of volunteers had served together and bravely died together in the service of their country.