Peter de Neumann

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Bernard Peter de Neumann GM (18 September 1917–16 September 1972), had an adventurous, often courageous, sometimes extremely dangerous, and latterly innovative, career, that included being sunk twice in the space of one month, charged and convicted of piracy by the Vichy French, and becoming famous as “The Man From Timbuctoo”.


 image_width = 400px Peter de Neumann as Commander of HMRC Vigilant in about 1950

His great courage during the Second World War was recognised when he was awarded the George Medal and the Lloyd's War Medal for Bravery at Sea for removing a 250 kilogram bomb from deep in the engine-room of ss Tewkesbury and dropping it over the side during a Luftwaffe air attack off Aberdeen, Scotland on 1 March 1941.

He was killed in an accident in Tilbury Dock, aged 54, and his ashes were scattered on the River Thames in Gravesend Reach.

[edit] References

  • Montague Lacey, 10 Feb 1943. “The Man From Timbuctoo“, Daily Express, London.