Hello

Does anyone know any details of the wartime career of Lieutenant David Wainwright R.N., who was awarded the Albert Medal for his actions after his minesweeper, H.M.S. Penarth, struck a mine in the North Sea and immediately began to sink on 4th February 1919. There is a possibility that he might have been a P.O.W. as well.

Dez

Hi Dez.

April 1911
Passed out as a cadet at Royal Naval College, Darmouth.

June 1916
Sub-Lieutenant David Wainwright reported killed on HMS Nomad (Jutland). In report of his "death", stated to be aged 21, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. George Wainwright, of 4, The Crescent, Surbiton. Later (12 June) reported as saved by and prisoner of the Germans. Other officers of Nomad made captive were Lieutenant Commander Paul Whitfield, Lieut. William J. Halliley and Surgeon Probationer David J. T. Oswald (RNVR).

Wainwright was the possible author of a letter about the action at Jutland on this page:
http://www.kipling.org.uk/rg_seawarfare_jutlandfighting.htm

He was awarded the Albert Medal for gallantry in saving life at sea in 1919:

The Times, Wednesday, May 21, 1919
LIEUTENANT DAVID WAINWRIGHT, R.N.- On
February 4, 1919, H.M.S. Penarth struck a mine
and immediately began to sink. Lieutenant David
Wainwright, taking command of the situation, at
once superintended the manning and lowering of
the starboard gig, and later the launching of the
Carley floats. Hearing there was a stoker injured in one
of the stokeholds, he called for volunteers to show
him the way, and at once made his way forward.
There was by now a heavy list on the ship, and it
was apparent she would not remain afloat much
longer, the upper deck of the starboard side being
already awash. Lieutenant Wainwright made his
way below unaided, and while he was in the stoke-
hold the ship struck a second mind abaft of him.
The forepart was blown off and sank, and he was
forced to wait till the stockhold had filled before
he could float to the surface up the escape. He
displayed the greatest gallantry and disregard
of his own personal safety in going below at a time
when the ship was liable to sink at any moment.

His service record:
http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documen...p;resultcount=1

regards,

Martin

For more details see: ADM 1/8551/50 Loss of HMS PENARTH. Court Martial

Hello Martin,

Thank you for such an excellent response, what a wealth of detail on Lt. Comm. David Wainwright R.N., A.M. I hit up the Jutland action letter, once again, great details. I didn't expect the National Archives computers to be on line 24 hours a day, so was surprised when I hit up the site for his service record and found it active, so I went ahead and had his record on the screen, in minutes. Great job.

Regards,

Dez

Hello per ardua,

Thank you for adding to Martin's information, everything is relevant and of interest.

Regards,

Dez

I have read parts of the file for the Penarth, I was looking for a rating, I think that Wainwright was called for evidence. It is several pages long, so getting them to copy it will be costly. Here's another original document that might be of interest: ADM 1/8457/114 Loss of HMS NOMAD at Jutland

Thanks again per ardua, everything is relevant and useful.