- SURNAME
Brett
- FORENAME
Brian William
- UNIT
Portsmouth and Medway Clearance Diving Team,Royal Navy
- RANK
Leading Seaman
- NUMBER
D080958P
- AWARD
Queen's Gallantry Medal
- PLACE
North Sea (off Felixstowe) 1974
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
London Gazette 46558, 29th April 1945, Page 5521
CITATION:
Queen's Gallantry Medal : Lieutenant Dutton, the Officer-in-Charge of the Portsmouth and Medway Clearance Diving Team and Leading Seaman Brett, a member of the Portsmouth and Medway Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, boarded the Suction Dredger THE SOLENT moored off Felixstowe at 2100 on 3rd August 1974 to investigate a mine which was immovably jammed in the vessel's drag head. The mine, a Ground Type GD, is the most difficult and dangerous to render safe of all the types used by the Germans in World War II. Because of the location and condition in which the mine was discovered, the normal procedure for rendering the mine safe was not possible.
After Lieutenant Dutton had organised the evacuation of non-essential personnel from the dredger, he and Leading Seaman Brett commenced the difficult task of removing the mine from the vessel's drag head. The damage to the fuse in the dredging operation prevented identification and normal defusing procedure. Although aware that the fuse might be in a highly dangerous state, Lieutenant Dutton and Leading Seaman Brett continued with the task until the mine was eventually freed, lowered to the sea-bed and detonated at 0205 the following morning.
Lieutenant Dutton's skill and calm efficiency and Leading Seaman Brett's courage and devotion to duty during the prolonged operation were in the highest tradition of the Service.
Source : LG46558
After Lieutenant Dutton had organised the evacuation of non-essential personnel from the dredger, he and Leading Seaman Brett commenced the difficult task of removing the mine from the vessel's drag head. The damage to the fuse in the dredging operation prevented identification and normal defusing procedure. Although aware that the fuse might be in a highly dangerous state, Lieutenant Dutton and Leading Seaman Brett continued with the task until the mine was eventually freed, lowered to the sea-bed and detonated at 0205 the following morning.
Lieutenant Dutton's skill and calm efficiency and Leading Seaman Brett's courage and devotion to duty during the prolonged operation were in the highest tradition of the Service.
Source : LG46558
WEB LINKS:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/46558/supplement/5521
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