Honours and Awards

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CHEVALIER - LEGION OF HONOUR (France)

BOURKE, Rowland Richard Louis, LCdr, RNVR, ML276

Issued: 12-Dec-1918, London Gazette

"For services in the operations against Zeebrugge and Ostend on the night of the 22-23rd April, 1918. Throughout the action, he showed the greatest coolness and skill in handling his motor-launch. He repeatedly went alongside "Brilliant" under very heavy fire and took off 38 officers and men. He took it in tow and brought back to the harbour another motor- launch which was damaged."

DSO

BOURKE, Rowland Richard Louis, Lieutenant, RNVR, ML276

Issued: 23-Jul-1918, London Gazette

"Throughout the action, he showed the greatest coolness and skill in handling his motor-launch. He repeatedly went alongside "Brilliant" under very heavy fire and took off 38 officers and men. He took in tow and brought back to the harbour another motor- launch which was damaged."

Victoria Cross

BOURKE, Rowland Richard Louis, Lieutenant, RNVR, ML276

Issued: 28-Aug-1918, London Gazette

"Volunteered for rescue work in command of M.L. 276 and followed "Vindictive" into Ostend, engaging the enemy's machine-guns on both piers with Lewis guns. After M.L. 254 had backed out, Lt. Bourke laid his vessel alongside 'Vindictive' to make further search. Finding no one, he withdrew, but hearing cries in the water, he again entered the harbour, and after a prolonged search, eventually found Lt. Sir John Alleyne, and two ratings, all badly wounded, and in the water, clinging to an upended skiff, and he rescued them. During all this time, the motor launch was under very heavy fire at close range, being hit in fifty-five places, once by a 6 inch shell. Two of her small crew being killed and others wounded. The vessel was seriously damaged and speed greatly reduced. Lt. Bourke, however, managed to bring her out and carry on until he fell in with a Monitor, which took him in tow. This episode displayed daring and skill of a very high order, and Lt. Bourke's bravery and perseverance undoubtedly saved the lives of Lt. Alleyne and two of the 'Vindictive's' crew."