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]
Born	16 September 1920 Llangollen, Wales
Died	10 February 1964(1964-02-10) (aged 43) Off the coast of New South Wales
Buried	Jervis Bay
Allegiance	United Kingdom Australia
Service/branch	Royal Navy Royal Australian Navy
Years of service	1938–46 1950–64
Rank	Chief Petty Officer
Battles/wars	Second World War Battle of the Atlantic European Theatre Korean War
Awards	George 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	Description	Notes
	George Cross (GC)	gazetted 1965[3]
	Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)	gazetted 1944[2]
	1939–1945 Star
	Atlantic Star	with FRANCE AND GERMANY clasp
	Italy Star
	War Medal 1939–1945
	Australian Active Service Medal 1945–1975	23 January 2014[5]
	Korea Medal
	United Nations Korea Medal
	Naval General Service Medal	23 January 2014[5]
	Australian Service Medal 1945–1975	23 January 2014[5]
	Australian General Service Medal Korea	23 January 2014[5]
	Australian Defence Medal	23 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.

External links

• "Medals – Jonathan Rogers". Australian War Memorial. Retrieved 20 March 2009.