World War: Recognition

In recognition of fishermen's and trawlers' services to the nation (and in part confirmation of Germany's contention that they are combatants), George VI last week reviewed a contingent of them, salt-caked in their sea boots and ragged overcoats, on the docks at Devonport Torpedo School. He bestowed no medals because, said the Admiralty: "You'd have to give medals to nearly every one of them—and what do they want with medals anyway?" The King boarded a trawler, dirtied his gloves fingering depth-charge apparatus and trawling gear. Later he helped receive a delegation of fishermen and trawler owners at the Ministry...

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