A Facebook history page has told the story of a Llangollen-born man whose brave and selfless deed at sea 62 years ago today saw him awarded the George Cross.
The History of Wales https://www.facebook.com/share/16tTA9XB2x/ tells how Jonathan Rogers, GC, DSM, from Llangollen was posthumously awarded the George Cross for the heroism he displayed on the night of 10th February 1964 during the sinking of HMAS Voyager, off Jervis Bay. on the south coast of New South Wales, Australia,
Rogers was born in Llangollen in 1920 and joined the Royal Navy at the age of 18. During World War II, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal while serving as coxswain of a motor torpedo boat and after the war, he joined the Royal Australian Navy, serving in the Korean War.
On 10th February 1964, he was aboard the destroyer HMAS Voyager, during exercises off Jervis Bay, when it was struck and sliced in half by the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne, leaving Rogers, along with more than 50 other crew, trapped in the sinking part of the ship.
Making no attempt to save himself, he helped as many men as possible escape through a small escape hatch and, as the compartment sank, he was heard leading his trapped comrades in a prayer and hymn as they met their fate, as his citation said, with 'dignity and honour'.
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