Lives of the First World War

The Distinguished Service Medal has been awarded to Mr. Ivor John Tilley a Newport seaman, whose wife and family live at 72 Hoskins-street Newport. News of the award is contained in a letter received this week from the Admiralty: the honour is conferred on Mr Tilley, the letter states, for “courage and devotion to duty in the face of relentless enemy attack.” Mr Tilley has served his country on land and sea during two wars. He joined the 5th Lancashire’s in 1916, when only 15½ years old and fought with them in France. In 1917, however, he was gassed and subsequently discharged. After the War, he re-joined the Army and saw service in India for two years. In 1924 Mr. Tilley heard the call of the sea and entered the Merchant Navy, in which service he has remained since. During the present War he has been on trips to Japan (1939), America and to Russia, which he has visited three times. On his last trip to the Soviet Union, the convoy in which his ship sailed was attacked furiously on both the outward and homeward voyages by German U-boats and bombers. In a situation which demanded both courage and presence of mind, Mr. Tilley remained at his post in the engine-room during the attacks. Although other ships in the convoy sustained hits from Torpedoes and bombs, Mr Tilley’s ship came through unscathed and took aboard 250 survivors from other vessels. He was given sick leave till March 5 on his return to this country but has now joined a ship. Mr Tilley, who is 43, is married with seven daughters and two sons. He is a native of Newport and attended Crindau and St Woolos Schools. Mr Richard Davies, a former mayor of Newport is his cousin. Throughout the terrifying ordeal Ivor carried a pressed flower from his bride’s wedding bouquet. King George VI pinned the Distinguished Service Medal on the lapel of the ordinary Newport sailor who, when faced with the rigours of war, displayed extraordinary bravery. Ivor was born in 1899 and served in the First World War with the Monmouthshire Regiment. Six years after the War he went to sea which was to be his life for 30 years. His daughter, June Eacott, as a baby knew little of her father’s life away at sea. It was on one of the convoy’s taking supplies to Britain’s Russian ally, that her father came under attack from both air and U-boats. In 1954 Ivor eventually ‘came ashore’ to work at Alcan until his eventual retirement. He died in 1962 and Florence, the wife who had born him 16 children, followed him 5 years later. The family are tremendously proud of their Dad and the time he went to Buckingham Palace to be awarded with his medal, but the story stands for the thousands of other Newport men who went to sea under the Red Ensign. The actual medal is at the Mission to Seamen in Newport but his daughter still retains amongst other things – the fragment of bouquet from the wedding. MILTARY SERVICE and MEDALS A 'somewhat complex picture' because Ivor enlisted and was discharged several times - 'Under-Age'. See Summary sheet: Possible Enlistment Sequence - (This is what I finally think): 1. First attested - South Wales Borderers - May 17 1915 (no. 23792) - stated he was 19 but was really 15½ years old - served 7 weeks - discharged July 6, 1915. After being discharged in July, Ivor may have joined the RNVR : 2. Enlistment 2 - Ivor now enlisted with the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (see printed RN Division Card - z/1819) - adding two years to his age. This is shown on his Medal Index Card - Naval Forces z/1819 and is recorded on RNVR - Award Roll - British War Medal to Ordinary Seaman - Ivor J Tilley. Again found to be under age - so discharged. 3. Third Attestation - 1st Mon Regiment - Nov 15, 1915 - again stated he was 19, but he was only just 16 years old. His father sent his Birth Cert. and he was discharged March 3, 1916 - after serving just 4 months. Reference made - 'During his period of service his conduct has been good. He is useful and willing and is recommended for Army engagement.' 4. Fourth enlistment - 5th Lancashire Regiment - 1916. Private 50300 Rifleman - 1/5 South Lancs Reg - Posted to France. (He may have enlisted in South Wales Borderers and been transferred to this Regiment). The newspaper account of his Distinguished Service Medal - stated ‘he joined the 5 Lancashire's in 1916 and fought with them in France. In 1917, however, he was gassed and was subsequently discharged. After the War he rejoined the Army and saw service in India for two years.’ The Medal Rolls and the Absent Voters Lists These confirm that Ivor served in the 1/5 South Lancashire's, 166 Brigade - Rifleman 50300 - and that he received - Victory and British War Medal. It also shows his South Wales Borderers - Number - 80277. So enlistment 4 above may have been with South Wales Borderers who then transferred Ivor to the Lancashire's. RNVR British War Medal to Ordinary Seaman- Ivor Tilley.

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