Jonathan Rogers (GC)
{{Short description|Welsh-born Australian sailor}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox military person
|name=Jonathan Rogers
|image= Jonathan Rogers GC.jpg
|caption=
|birth_date= 16 September 1920
|death_date= {{Death date and age|1964|02|10|1920|09|16|df=yes}}
|birth_place= Llangollen, Wales
|death_place= Off the coast of New South Wales
|placeofburial= Jervis Bay
|placeofburial_label=
|allegiance= United Kingdom
Australia
|branch= Royal Navy
Royal Australian Navy
|serviceyears= 1938–46
1950–64
|rank= Chief Petty Officer
|unit=
|commands=
|battles=
{{tree list}}
{{tree list/end}}
|awards= George Cross
Distinguished Service Medal
|relations=
|laterwork=
}}
Jonathan Rogers, {{postnominals|country=AUS|size=100%|sep=,|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|D04|6}}.
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.{{London Gazette|issue=36707|date=15 September 1944|supp=y|page=4334|https://web.archive.org/web/20200207212528/https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36707/supplement/4334|archive-date=7 February 2020}} '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|D04|6}} when, during exercises, it was struck and sliced in half by the aircraft carrier {{HMAS|Melbourne|R21|6}}. 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'.{{cite web|url=http://www.awm.gov.au/fiftyaustralians/40.asp |title=Fifty Australians – Buck Rogers |accessdate=20 March 2009 |publisher=Australian War Memorial|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607054005/http://www.awm.gov.au/exhibitions/fiftyaustralians/40.asp|archive-date=7 June 2011}}{{London Gazette|issue=43604|date=19 March 1965|page=2797}}{{cite web|url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1073762 |title=Award of George Cross – Rogers |accessdate=20 March 2009 |publisher=It's An Honour (Australian Government|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303221246/http://www.itsanhonour.gov.au/honours/honour_roll/search.cfm?aus_award_id=1073762&search_type=advanced&showInd=true|archive-date=3 March 2016}}
Honours and awards
File:Jonathan Rogers Medal Group.jpg
{{center|
File:UK George Cross ribbon.svg
File:UK Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg
File:Atlantic Star w clasp BAR.svg
File:Australian Active Service Medal 1945-75 ribbon.png
File:United Nations Service Medal Korea ribbon.svg
File:Naval General Service Medal 1915 BAR.svg
File:Australian Service Medal 1945-1975 ribbon.png
File:Australian Defence Medal (Australia) ribbon.png
File:Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (UK) ribbon.png
File:Pingat Jasa Malaysia ribbon.png
}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{cite web|url=https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/OL00222.001|title=Medals – Jonathan Rogers |accessdate=20 March 2009 |publisher=Australian War Memorial}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Rogers, Jonathan}}
Category:People from Llangollen
Category:Australian recipients of the George Cross
Category:Australian military personnel of the Korean War
Category:Deaths due to shipwreck at sea
Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (United Kingdom)
Category:Royal Australian Navy personnel
Category:Royal Navy personnel of World War II