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Ordinary Seaman Somer Oscar James
Ordinary Seaman Somer Oscar James

Ordinary Seaman Somer Oscar James was decorated for bravery in saving his ship, the SS Empire Lightning, during an enemy air raid.

On 5 November 1943, a German air raid on a port near Naples, Italy, set fire to fuel stored on a nearby dock, endangering the explosives-laden Empire Lightning. Lines mooring the ship to the dock had to be handled in a way that allowed the Empire Lightning to be moved to safety, and James singlehandedly volunteered for the task. For his actions, he received both the British Empire Medal and the Lloyd's War Medal for Bravery at Sea.

George Metcalf Archival Collection
CWM 20040003-004

Found in:
The Second World War /The Merchant Navy /Serving with the Merchant Navy


Storm Damage, SS Joel R. Poinsett
Rescuing Survivors
HMCS Longueuil Rescues Survivors
Ordinary Seaman Somer Oscar James
Chief Officer Percy Kelly
Officers aboard SS Stanley Park
SS Stanley Park
David McMillan
Officers, SS Stanley Park
"Crossing the Line", SS Stanley Park
Gun Crew at Practice, SS Stanley Park
Gun Crew, SS Stanley Park
Disposing of Ammunition, SS Stanley Park
Towing SS Noranda Park, September 1945
SS Stanley Park's Swimming Pool
Holiday Portrait, SS Stanley Park
On Stanley Park's Flying Bridge
Fireman, SS Stanley Park
HMCS Micmac
HMCS Magnificent and Destroyer
Canadian Ships in Halifax Harbour
HMCS Assiniboine and Sea King Helicopter
HMCS Porte St. Louis and HMCS Porte St. Jean
HMCS Ontario in the Panama Canal