- Type of Memorial
- Composite
- WMR Reference Number
- 100757
- Description
- Model of Able Seaman Simon, the Ship's Cat from HMS Amethyst. Model displayed alongside an inscription plaque. Above is a printed citation and poem, both framed and glazed. Also above the model is his Dickin Medal framed and glazed.
- Inscription
- Plaque next to model: Wounded by shrapnel, his face badly burnt/ and whiskers completely gone, the battered/ little black and white cat patrolled the sick bay,/ curling up with the injured seamen./ He was later formally promoted to the rank/ of Able Seaman for his cheering-up services!
Printed citation: Able Seaman Simon/ Ship's Cat/ HMS Amethyst/ Simon was badly wounded in April 1949 when HMS Amethyst/ patrolling the Yangtze river, was fired upon by the Chinese. 25/ of the crew were killed. Simon bolted in terror to the depths of/ the ship's hull, and stayed there during the ship's famous escape./ Hunger drove him on deck after five days and the cook carried/ him to the sick bay, where he was found to have four shrapnel/ wounds. His face was badly burnt and whiskers completely/ gone. As he recovered, the battered little black and white cat/ patrolled the sick bay, curling up with the injured seaman./ He was formally promoted to the rank of Able Seaman for his/ cheering-up services. He passed away 7-12-1949.
Dickin Medal: MEDAL ENGRAVED ON REVERSE:-/ SIMON/ H.M.S. AMETHYST/ JULY 31ST 1949/ A.F.M.C. 1254 NO. 54/ THE DICKIN MEDAL/ WON BY/ SIMON/ H.M.S. AMETHYST