‘TWEEDE WERELDOORLOG EREMEDAIILLE’

‘Ubi fides habenda fides!’

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TOEKENNING VAN DE TWEEDE WERELDOORLOG – EREMEDAILLE

AWARDING THE SECOND WORLD WAR – MEDAL OF HONOUR

Hieronder treft u, in omgekeerde volgorde van uitreiking, de personen aan van wie onze stichting heeft gemeend dat hij/zij, nog in leven zijnde of postuum, met een ‘Tweede Wereldoorlog-Eremedaille’ herkend, erkend en geëerd dienen te worden, dit naar aanleiding van hun daden van dienstbaarheid en moed

Below you will find, in reverse order of presentation, the persons for whom our Foundation believes that he/she, still living or posthumously, should be recognised and honoured with a ‘World War II Medal of Honour’, based on their acts of service and courage.

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Captain Dr. Lennox Douglas (39)

Surgeon NZEF 31818 Medical Corps attached to ss Slamat

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WWII Medal of Honour
Operation Demon’ – 1941, brief history

Early 1941, the proud Rotterdam Lloyd passenger liner ss SLAMAT, was converted into a troop-ship and came under the control of the British Ministry of War Transport. She was deployed in the evacuation of 60.000 allied troops from Greece, known as: ‘Operation Demon’. On April 27 ss SLAMAT was lying at anchor in the Bay of Nauplion (Greece), British, Australian and New Zealand troops came on board as planned. The troops were hastily boarded because Captain Tjalling Luidinga was instructed to leave port before dawn. Although not all troops were on board,  SLAMAT weighed anchor at 04.15 hours and left in convoy, sailing South. direction Crete and Alexandria (Egypt). At that time SLAMAT had 600 allied troops and 217 crew members on board. Surgeon Captain Dr. Lennox Douglas and his NZ-Medical Team prepared for the things that were inevitable to come!

Most who survived the murderous German attacks were taken on board British destroyer HMS DIAMOND, also Lennox Douglas who survived the attack on and sinking of ss SLAMAT. During the performance of his medical, life-saving task, in which he saved many lives, he himself had to die.

The Ceremony took place at the famous Waitaki Boys’ Highschool at Oamaru, the place, where Lennox Douglas laid a solid foundation for his profession as a surgeon!

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Kua roa koe e ngaro ana, e Lennox !

Last Post!

(Pictures: Michael Robins) Eindelijk, na 83 jaar krijgt, de naaste familie van Lennox Douglas waar zij recht op heeft, namelijk: een Nederlandse ‘Tweede Wereldoorlog Eremedaille uit handen van de oprichter van de stichting Koninklijke Rotterdamsche Lloyd – Heritage, Ed van Lierde (rechts). Twee Slamat-dochters Annie Boys and Cass Robins, en links, Slamat-kleindochter Kate Saxton nemen de Eremedaille, in alle emotie, in ontvangst!

Finally, after 83 years, Next of Kin of Lennox Douglas receives what they are entitled to, namely: a Dutch ‘World War II Medal of Honour from the founder of the Royal Rotterdam Lloyd – Heritage foundation, Ed van Lierde (left). Two Slamat daughters Cass Robins, Annie Boys and Slamat granddaughter KateSaxton receiving the Medal of Honour in all emotions!

Een altaar gevuld met herinneringen over en eerbied voor Lennox / An altar filled with memories and respect for Lennox.

De foto van Slamat-slachtoffer Lennox Douglas, versierd met poppies.

Master of Ceremonies: Slamat-Grandson Hamish Saxton.

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Honorary Consul for the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the South Island, Geordie ’t Hooft delivers his speech.

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Ed with the MedaL of Honour  in between the two daughters of Lennox, Cass Robins and Annie Boys.

MEDIA

 ‘De Oamaru Mail wordt tegen de plaquette met de naam van Lennox Douglas gehouden – ‘Garden of Memory’ te Oamaru.

‘The Oamaru Mail is held against the plaque with Lennox Douglas’ name – ‘Garden of Memory’ at Oamaru.