Able Seacat Simon of the frigate HMS Amethyst was severely wounded during the Yangtze River Incident of 1949, but continued to fight off a major rat infestation until the warship escaped six weeks later. For his actions he was awarded the Dickin Medal.
Simon developed an infection in his wounds shortly after arriving in Britain and subsequently died of his injuries. He received a military funeral which was attended by all of his crewmates and hundreds of mourners.