Does anyone have any photo or biographical details about this man whose action saved the ship from destruction at the Dogger Bank battle? Did he receive any decorations for his bravery in the battle?At the Battle of Dogger Bank (1915), 24 January 1915, in World War I SMS Seydlitz was the flagship of Admiral Franz von Hipper. She was hit by a 13.5 inch shell from HMS Lion which penetrated the working chamber of her after turret. The resulting explosion knocked out the rear turret and, due to an open door to the adjacent turret, knocked out that one as well, with the loss of the 160 men of the two turrets’ crews. Only the prompt action of her executive officer in flooding the magazines saved Seydlitz from a magazine explosion that would have destroyed the ship. Supposedly the sailor Wilhelm Heidkamp saved the ship, when he desparetely opened the glowing valves although he burnt his hands and his lungs. He never recovered from his severe injuries and died a few years later. The Kriegsmarine named a destroyer after him.
Also any details when and where exactly did he pass away? One source mentions in mid-1920s?
It would be nice to know more about him since I come up with his name in almost every World War 1 naval book.
