Commander Warwick Seymour Bracegirdle, DSC (and two Bars) (1911–1993)

spidge · 10-10-2007, 01:11 AM

Braces Bracegirdle

An officer from a distinguished Australian naval family. Warwick Bracegirdle saw extensive service in both the Second World War and the Korean War and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross on three occasions.
Commander Warwick Seymour Bracegirdle, DSC (and two Bars) (1911–1993)

Warwick Bracegirdle seemed destined for a naval career. His father, Rear Admiral Sir Leighton Bracegirdle (1881–1970), had been an officer in the NSW Naval Brigade and later the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). By the time he was 21 he had fought in the Boxer Rebellion and the Boer War; in the First World War he served in the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force, and in 1915 was appointed to command the Australian Naval Bridging Train. Following in this tradition, young Warwick entered the RAN College, where, in 1928, he received the King’s Medal.
During the Second World War Warwick Bracegirdle was in the Mediterranean in HMAS Perth, and was often under air attack. At Piraeus, near Athens, he was almost killed when the ammunition ship Clan Fraser exploded while he was trying to tow a lighter clear during a bombing raid. For “his personal courage and determination” in Perth Bracegirdle was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross (DSC).
From 1942 to 1945 he was gunnery officer in HMAS Shropshire. Always “a cool thinker in action”, he received another DSC for his “gallantry and skill” at Leyte Gulf in October 1944. He was twice mentioned in despatches.
During the Korean War Bracegirdle commanded HMAS Bataan and in 1952 was awarded a further DSC. Bataan and Warramunga were the two Australian ships most heavily involved in the war. On one occasion, after Bataan was under fire, Bracegirdle returned to his cabin to find a shell had penetrated it. To his annoyance, and others’ amusement, his dress uniform had been hit.
For service in Korean waters, Bracegirdle also received the US Legion of Merit. He was later posted to Britain and retired from the RAN in 1957. His son, also a naval officer, served in the Royal Navy.

Commander Warwick Bracegirdle on the bridge of HMAS Bataan in Korean waters
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Lieutenant Bracegirdle on the bridge of HMAS Perth in October 1940.
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Gunnery Officer of HMAS Shropshire, Lieutenant Commander Bracegirdle, with Commodore Henry Showers, in 1944.
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Antipodean Andy · 10-10-2007, 06:53 AM

Ashamed to say I have never heard of him but am pleased to now!

http://www.hmasperth.asn.au/
http://www.awm.gov.au/encyclopedia/perth/index.htm

Amazing Shropshire site:
http://www.hmasshropshire.com/contents.htm
Includes a message from Bracgirdle:
http://www.hmasshropshire.com/fr_brace.htm

If those Shropshire links don't work this is the "new" site:
http://pandora.nla.gov.au/pan/53792/...com/index.html

spidge · 10-10-2007, 07:41 AM

18.
The drenching gunfire of the US ships was overwhelming but not always accurate. It was estimated that one in ten shells hit targets during naval battles.
(Shropshire's effectively hit one in two shells) .

19.
HMAS Shropshire requested permission to sink a damaged Japanese destroyer - denied - 2 light USN cruisers did the job, the Denver and Columbia.

20.
Strike force formed up to attack Japanese fleet to the north of Leyte Gulf. Only Shropshire Involved and to be used as a "decoy"? Supported by 2 destroyers or 2 cruisers?

21. What the Japanese did not know.
The US ships were down to less than 20% of their ammunition/fuel/supplies after the Tacloban landings. HMAS Shropshire still had a full load because Captain Nichols through Commander Bracegirdle our "Guns" had overloaded our 8'' magazines from normal 1500 to 2000 shells.

Antipodean Andy · 10-10-2007, 07:58 AM

21. I like it Geoff, I like it!

From a site on USS Denver:
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/s...nsh-d/cl58.htm
During the pursuit phase of that action, she helped sink the enemy destroyer Asagumo.

USS Columbia from Wikipedia:
In the furious fighting of the battle of Empress Augusta Bay which resulted, Columbia joined in sinking a Japanese cruiser and a destroyer

Is this the action? Off home so cop ya tomorrow!

spidge · 10-10-2007, 09:24 AM

[quote]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy in West Oz

21. I like it Geoff, I like it!

From a site on USS Denver:
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/s...nsh-d/cl58.htm
During the pursuit phase of that action, she helped sink the enemy destroyer Asagumo.

Possibly! Static target. They must have shared it!

Quote:

USS Columbia from Wikipedia:
In the furious fighting of the battle of Empress Augusta Bay which resulted, Columbia joined in sinking a Japanese cruiser and a destroyer

This was Bougainville!