At 8pm on April 24th 1916 with a crew from the Royal Navy under Lt Firman RN, assisted by Lt Cdr Cowley RNVR, the Julnar , carrying 270 tons of supplies left Falahiyah in an attempt to reach Kut. Her departure was covered by all artillery and machine gun fire that could be brought to bear in the hope of distracting the enemy's attention. She was, however, discovered and shelled on her passage up the river. At lam on the 25th Gen Townshend reported that she had not arrived, and that at midnight a burst of heavy firing had been heard at Magasis some nine miles from Kut by river which had suddenly ceased. There could be but little doubt that the enterprise had failed and the next day the Air Service reported the Julnar in the hands of the Turks at Magasis. The leaders of this brave attempt, Lt H 0 B Firman RN, and his assistant Lt Cdr Cowley RNVR, the latter of whom throughout the campaign in Mesopotamia performed magnificent service in command of the Mejidieh, have been reported by the Turks to have been killed. The remainder of the gallant crew, including five wounded are prisoners of war. Knowing well the chances against them all the gallant officers and men who manned the Julnar for the occasion were volunteers. I trust that the services in this connection of Lt H 0 B Firman RN, and his assistant Lt Cdr Cowley RNVR both of whom were unfortunately killed may be recognised by the posthumous grant of some suitable honour. The account of the award is preceded by the following paragraph: The King has been graciously pleased to approve of the posthumous grant of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned officers in recognition of their conspicuous gallantry in an attempt to re-provision the force besieged in Kut-el-Amara.