Roll Of Honour with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary Association
Chris White and Peter Robinson are working with the Royal
Fleet Auxiliary Association to compile a “Roll of Honour”
for all those who have died in the service of the RFA,
whether serving onboard or on leave. As of the 7th of May
2006 Chris White has managed to collate over 630 names.
This is a fantastic project which honours all those who have
died in service and who we should remember, both Chris and
Peter would be deeply indebted for any information that
visitors to this site can supply.
So rack your brains and please come up with names, rank,
date of death where possible and if you can remember the
last ship of the person concerned.
John Allan and The Albert
Medal.
On Wednesday 19th of June 1918
on RFA Mixol, an AB fell over the side between the tanker
and a battle cruiser as the RFA was going alongside. There
was a real danger that he would be crushed between the two
ships. A Donkeyman named John Allan jumped into the sea to
save the AB and kept him afloat until a rope could be thrown
to him. John Allan ensured the AB was saved first before
being pulled from the sea. They both lived and John Allan
was later awarded the Albert Medal for his gallantry. Chris
White is trying to find the following information: -
(a) The name of the AB?
(b) Where this incident occurred - he suspects at Scapa Flow
or Invergordon
(c) Where did John Allan come from?
(d) Does John Allan have any living relatives whom Chris
might be put in contact with?
In 1971 living holders of the Albert Medal were invited to
exchange their medals for the George Cross. It would appear
that John Allan was not alive at this time as he did not
exchange his medal nor is he listed as declining to exchange
it.
Can anyone help with the answers to any of the above
questions please? If so please send it to
and I will pass it on to Chris.
William Redvers Forster (1900-75)
William Redvers Forster (1900-75), was appointed "guarantee chief engineer" of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary's new tanker, RFA Aldersdale, on the 14 September 1937, whilst it was being completed by Cammel Laird at Birkenhead. The 8,402 gross ton Aldersdale was one of six "Dale" Class tankers "purchased off the slipway" when the Admiralty decided it needed its own fleet of tankers in 1937. After sea trial and 'handover' to the Admiralty on the 17 September 1937 it left the Clyde on its maiden voyage to Port Said on the 18 September.
Can anybody tell me where RFA Aldersdale was stationed between its launch and William Redvers Forster leaving the ship in September 1938?
Can anybody identify the officers in the photograph taken in my William Redvers Forster's cabin? Please see photo below.
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