MID, London Gazette 25th June 1940. “for courage and devotion off the Dutch Coast” ......... C/J38721 Philip James Dawson, C.P.O. HMS Versatile, Dutch Coast.

Born 9^th March 1899 at Reepham, Norfolk. A farm boy who decided to see the world, he enlisted as a Boy class 2 in the Royal Navy on 26^th February 1915. On board HMS Birkenhead (3^rd Light Cruiser Sqn.) at Battle of Jutland. He then served in various ships and shore stations until his first service record papers end on 1^st January 1929 ( copy included) His later service record is retained by the MOD at present.

He continued to serve however, earning his LSGC on HMS Vimiera, and seeing action again in May 1940 while on board HMS Versatile. On 13^th May 1940 HMS Versatile was escorting HMS Hereward, who was carrying Queen Wilhelmina (Queen of the Netherlands) from the Hook of Holland to the Breskens - also in the Netherlands, when at 8.45pm, HMS Versatile was attacked by enemy aircraft. A bomb hit the upper deck over the Engine Room, causing structural damage, and flooding to the Engine Room. Splinters from this bomb and other near misses, caused damage from ‘A’ gun to the quarterdeck and the auxiliary machinery suffered minor damage, immobilising the ship. Nine men were killed in the attack, with one dying later of his wounds. Thirteen wounded men (about a fifth of the crew) were transferred to HMS Janus ,along with some Irish Guardsmen previously rescued from Holland. Janus towed Versatile home to Sheerness for repairs.            

Going by Dawson's lack of other WW2 stars, he was probably one of these wounded & took no further part in the war. It would seem that Dawson’s MID, gazetted some six weeks later, was for his actions during this air attack, as it was gazetted along with 7 other awards to the same ship. (Could he also be entitled to a bar on his LSGC?)