Richard Been Stannard
Lieutenant, Royal Naval Reserve
- Register No.
- 1178 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Lieutenant all Lieutenants →
- Unit
- Royal Naval Reserve (register: HMT Arab) all HMT Arab VCs →
- Date of action
- 28 April 1940 to 2 May 1940 on this day → all of 1940 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Second World War
- London Gazette
- 16th August 1940 on this day → all of 1940 →
- Born
- 21st August 1902, at Blyth, Northumberland
- Died
- 22nd July 1977 at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Memorial / grave
- at Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney, Australia
- Medal held by
- unknown
Digest of citation
HMS Arab survived 31 bombing attacks in the five days from 28th April to 2nd May 1940. Lieutenant Stannard held the Arab's bows against the Wharf at Namsos, Norway, whilst he fought a fire,after enemy bombs had set fire to tons of hand-grenades stored there,. After two hours he had to give up as the situation was hopeless. Placing the Arab under a sheltering cliff he landed his crew and the crews of two other trawlers ashore, setting up a camp. Off-duty crew rested whilst the rest, under Lieutenant Stannard attacked enemy aircraft. During the night he kept up an anti-submarine watch. Whilst leaving the Fjiord he was attacked by a German bomber who ordered him to sail east into captivity, or be sunk. Lieutenant Stannard maintained his course until the enemy bomber came within 800 yards when the Arab opened fire, bringing the bomber down. His continuous gallantry, throughout the action, and his resourcefulness and enterprise, brought heavy losses to the Germans. By his actions he also saved many lives and his ship
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
STANNARD, Richard Been. (reg No. 1178).
Lieutenant. Royal Naval Reserve.
London Gazetted on 16th August 1940.
VC Medal's Custodian is unknown.
Born on 21st August 1902, at Blyth, Northumberland.
Died on 22nd July 1977 at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia.
Memorial on grave at Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney, Australia.
Digest of Citation reads: HMS Arab survived 31 bombing attacks in the five days from 28th April to 2nd May 1940. Lieutenant Stannard held the Arab's bows against the Wharf at Namsos, Norway, whilst he fought a fire,after enemy bombs had set fire to tons of hand-grenades stored there,. After two hours he had to give up as the situation was hopeless. Placing the Arab under a sheltering cliff he landed his crew and the crews of two other trawlers ashore, setting up a camp. Off-duty crew rested whilst the rest, under Lieutenant Stannard attacked enemy aircraft. During the night he kept up an anti-submarine watch. Whilst leaving the Fjiord he was attacked by a German bomber who ordered him to sail east into captivity, or be sunk. Lieutenant Stannard maintained his course until the enemy bomber came within 800 yards when the Arab opened fire, bringing the bomber down. His continuous gallantry, throughout the action, and his resourcefulness and enterprise, brought heavy losses to the Germans. By his actions he also saved many lives and his ship.
Additional information:. Captain Stannard was also awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). He also held the Norwegian War Cross. He was a member of the Hon. Company of Master Mariners. He served as the Marine Superintendent of the Pacific and Orient Lines of Australia.
Additional information
Captain Stannard was also awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO). He also held the Norwegian War Cross. He was a member of the Hon. Company of Master Mariners. He served as the Marine Superintendent of the Pacific and Orient Lines of Australia.
Register note: Multiple acts
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at Rookwood Cemetery, Sydney, Australia
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
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