Chaplain chooses to die with his men

5th July 1941: Rev. Cecil Pugh goes down with men trapped below decks, later awarded George Cross

On the 5th July 1941 the troopship HMS Anselm carrying RAF personnel to Africa was torpedoed in the Atlantic. Only the day before passengers had been advised that they were 'out of the danger zone'.

The RAF chaplain Herbert Cecil Pugh went to the aid of men trapped below decks. He demanded to be lowered down, declaring "My love of God is greater than my…