Second World War (1939-1945)
The Navy in European Waters  - Naval Aviation: HMS Nabob and HMS Puncher

Although HMS Nabob and HMS Puncher were formally part of Britain's Royal Navy and operated from British bases, Canadians commanded and provided most of the crew for these two escort carriers. Severe damage from a German torpedo prematurely ended Nabob's career, but Puncher served until the end of the war.

Medal Set, Dennis Thompson Forster, HMS Nabob

Dennis Thompson Forster, a native of Enderby, British Columbia, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (left) for helping to save HMS Nabob.

Forster, who had considerable knowledge about damage control, was an electrical officer in HMS Nabob when the German submarine U-354 torpedoed the carrier. By helping shore up damaged bulkheads to prevent further flooding, and through his instrumental role in getting the ship under way again, Forster was partly responsible for keeping Nabob afloat during the arduous five-day, 1,600 kilometre journey back to Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands.

Medal Set, Dennis Thompson Forster
Tilston Memorial Collection of Canadian Military Medals
CWM 20060080-001