Jonathan Rogers (GC)

Jonathan Rogers, GC, DSM (16 September 1920 – 10 February 1964) was a Welsh-born sailor and an Australian recipient of the George Cross, awarded for the heroism he displayed on the night of 10 February 1964 during the sinking of HMAS Voyager.

Jonathan Rogers
Nickname(s)"Buck"[1]
Born16 September 1920
Llangollen, Wales
Died10 February 1964(1964-02-10) (aged 43)
Off the coast of New South Wales
Buried
Jervis Bay
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Australia
Service/branchRoyal Navy
Royal Australian Navy
Years of service1938–46
1950–64
RankChief Petty Officer
Battles/warsSecond World War Korean War
AwardsGeorge Cross
Distinguished Service Medal

Early life

Rogers was born in Llangollen, Wales, joined the Royal Navy at the age of 18 and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for the "coolness and leadership" he showed while serving as coxswain of Motor Torpedo Boat 698 in action in May 1944.[2] 'Buck' emigrated to Australia after the war and joined the Royal Australian Navy, serving in the Korean War.

George Cross

He was serving aboard the destroyer HMAS Voyager when, during exercises, it was struck and sliced in half by the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne. Rogers, along with more than 50 other men, was trapped in the sinking forward part of the stricken destroyer.

Making no attempt to save himself, he helped as many men as possible escape through a small escape hatch and, as the compartment sank ten minutes later, was heard leading his trapped comrades in a prayer and hymn as they met their fate, as his citation said, with 'dignity and honour'.[1][3][4]

Honours and awards
Medal Group for Jonathan Rogers as displayed in Australian War Memorial

Ribbon for George Cross Ribbon for the DSM Ribbon for the 1939–1945 Star

Ribbon for the Atlantic Star Ribbon for the Italy Star Ribbon for the War Medal 1939–1945 Ribbon for the Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975

Ribbon for the Korea Medal Ribbon for the United Nations Korea Medal Ribbon for the Naval General Service Medal Ribbon for the Australian Service Medal 1945–1975

Ribbon for the Australian General Service Medal Korea Ribbon for the Australian Defence Medal Ribbon for the Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal Ribbon for the Australian Defence Medal

RibbonDescriptionNotes
Ribbon for George CrossGeorge Cross (GC)gazetted 1965[3]
Ribbon for the DSMDistinguished Service Medal (DSM)gazetted 1944[2]
Ribbon for the 1939–1945 Star1939–1945 Star
ribbon for the 1914–15 StarAtlantic Starwith FRANCE AND GERMANY clasp
Ribbon for the BWMItaly Star
Ribbon for the War Medal 1939–1945War Medal 1939–1945
Ribbon for the Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975Australian Active Service Medal 1945–197523 January 2014[5]
Ribbon for the Korea MedalKorea Medal
Ribbon for the United Nations Korea MedalUnited Nations Korea Medal
Ribbon for the Naval General Service MedalNaval General Service Medal23 January 2014[5]
Ribbon for the Australian Service Medal 1945–1975Australian Service Medal 1945–197523 January 2014[5]
Ribbon for the Australian General Service Medal KoreaAustralian General Service Medal Korea23 January 2014[5]
Ribbon for the Australian Defence MedalAustralian Defence Medal23 January 2014[5]
Ribbon for the Naval Long Service and Good Conduct MedalNaval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Ribbon for the Pingat Jasa MalaysiaPingat Jasa Malaysia(Malaysia) 23 January 2014[5]

References
  1. "Fifty Australians – Buck Rogers". Australian War Memorial. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 20 March 2009.
  2. "No. 36707". The London Gazette (Supplement). 15 September 1944. p. 4334.
  3. "No. 43604". The London Gazette. 19 March 1965. p. 2797.
  4. "Award of George Cross – Rogers". It's An Honour (Australian Government. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 March 2009.
  5. VADM Ray Griggs [@VCDF_Australia] (23 January 2014). "Presenting additional medals to daughters of CPO Jonathan Rogers GC, DSM – now 1 of our most decorated @AWMemorial" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
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