World War II Victoria Cross recipient. Born of Irish parentage in Hampshire, England, he served as a Captain in the Royal Navy.
In the open sea of the Atlantic Ocean on 5 November, 1940, he was escorting ships of Convoy HX-84 while in command of the armed cruiser "HMS Jervis Bay" when they were attacked by the German battle ship "Admiral Scheer". He immediately steamed to engage the enemy head-on, to give the ships of the convoy time to scatter. Out gunned and on fire, the "HMS Jervis Bay" maintained the unequal fight for three hours with the German battle ship. Although Captain Fegen's right arm was shattered and the bridge of his ship was shot from under him, he continued to fight until he went down with his ship. Due to the effort of Captain Fegen and his crew, the convoy was able to escape with a only a few ships lost. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross in a ceremony with the medal presented to his sister, Miss M.C. Fegan by King George VI at Buckingham Palace on 12June, 1941.
In his honour, there are memorials with his name posted at the Chatham Naval Memorial (Panel 34.1), the Hospital grounds in St John, New Brunswick, Canada and the Seaman's Institute, Wellington, New Zealand.
World War II Victoria Cross recipient. Born of Irish parentage in Hampshire, England, he served as a Captain in the Royal Navy.
In the open sea of the Atlantic Ocean on 5 November, 1940, he was escorting ships of Convoy HX-84 while in command of the armed cruiser "HMS Jervis Bay" when they were attacked by the German battle ship "Admiral Scheer". He immediately steamed to engage the enemy head-on, to give the ships of the convoy time to scatter. Out gunned and on fire, the "HMS Jervis Bay" maintained the unequal fight for three hours with the German battle ship. Although Captain Fegen's right arm was shattered and the bridge of his ship was shot from under him, he continued to fight until he went down with his ship. Due to the effort of Captain Fegen and his crew, the convoy was able to escape with a only a few ships lost. For gallantry in the face of the enemy, he was posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross in a ceremony with the medal presented to his sister, Miss M.C. Fegan by King George VI at Buckingham Palace on 12June, 1941.
In his honour, there are memorials with his name posted at the Chatham Naval Memorial (Panel 34.1), the Hospital grounds in St John, New Brunswick, Canada and the Seaman's Institute, Wellington, New Zealand.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
