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

RibbonDescriptionNotes
George Cross (GC)gazetted 1965[3]
Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)gazetted 1944[2]
1939–1945 Star
Atlantic Starwith FRANCE AND GERMANY clasp
Italy Star
War Medal 1939–1945
Australian Active Service Medal 1945–197523 January 2014[5]
Korea Medal
United Nations Korea Medal
Naval General Service Medal23 January 2014[5]
Australian Service Medal 1945–197523 January 2014[5]
Australian General Service Medal Korea23 January 2014[5]
Australian Defence Medal23 January 2014[5]
Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal
Pingat Jasa Malaysia(Malaysia) 23 January 2014[5]

References
  1. "Fifty Australians – Buck Rogers". Australian War Memorial. 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). 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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