Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 85


A post-War R.V.M. group of four awarded to Detective Constable L. J. Watts, Sandringham Division, Norfolk Constabulary


Defence Medal; Royal Victorian Medal, E.II.R., 1st issue, silver, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; Police L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R. (Const. Leslie J. Watts.) mounted as worn in this order, good very fine (4) £200-£240


R.V.M. London Gazette 1 January 1954: Detective Constable Leslie James Watts, Norfolk Constabulary.


Leslie James Watts was born on 20 May 1903 and joined the Norfolk Constabular on 12 February 1927, having previously been employed with the Midland and Great Northern Railway. He served as a Detective Constable with the Sandringham Division, and during the course of his career was several times commended. He died on 14 January 1973, and is buried in Sandringham Churchyard.


Sold with copied research including a group photographic image of the Norfolk Constabulary’s Criminal Investigation Department.


86


A Second War ‘Arctic Convoy’ B.E.M. awarded to Petty Officer C. E. Searle, Royal Navy, a veteran of the Battle of Jutland


British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (P.O. Charles E. Searle P/J.20278 R.N.) minor edge bruise, good very fine


£300-£400 B.E.M. London Gazette 27 July 1943: ‘For bravery and devotion to duty in the face of the enemy, while serving in a defensively armed Merchant Vessel.’


Charles Edward Searle was born in Hastings, Sussex, on 28 October 1898, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 28 February 1914. He served during the Great War in H.M.S. Caroline, and was present in her at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916. Advanced Able Seaman on 25 October 1918, he was shore pensioned in this rate on 3 November 1938.


Recalled for service during the Second World War, Searle served as a temporary acting Petty Officer in the defensively armed British Cargo Tramp S.S. Dan-y-Bryn, and was awarded the British Empire Medal ‘for services in North Russian Convoy JW52 in January 1943, and returning in March 1943’ (Seedie’s Merchant Navy List refers). The Dan-y-Bryn ‘had had various adventures before her voyages to Murmansk and Archangel. She shot part of the wing from a Heinkel in the North Sea early in 1940, fought a six-hour battle with a submarine in the Caribbean the same year, and scored hits on a surface raider on the way home from Vancouver. During her voyages to Russia she shot down 18 enemy aircraft.’ (Merchantmen at War refers).


Sold with copied research, including a copy of the Dan-y-Bryn’s official Log Book for Convoy JW52.


87


A Second War B.E.M. awarded to Staff Sergeant E. H. Shaw, Royal Artillery British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (1437595 S/Sgt. Edward H. Shaw. RA.) good very fine B.E.M. London Gazette 10 April 1945, the original recommendation states:


£160-£200


‘S/Sergeant Shaw has been employed in “A” Branch, H.Q., A.A. Command since 21st February, 1941. During the whole of this time he has carried out his duties with exceptional ability, and by his never failing energy, cheerfulness and loyalty has imbued with his high standards the many A.T.S. clerks who have worked under his control. In the absence of the Chief Clerk of the Branch he has frequently taken control, and if promotion had been allowed and if the appointment of Chief Clerk had not been for an A.T.S. auxiliary, he would have been promoted into that appointment. During the last six months, when the Branch has been working at high pressure, frequently until late at night, dealing with the large progress of disbandments of units and posting of personnel to infantry, he has set a high example of loyal and untiring work during exceptionally long hours.’


88


A Second War B.E.M. awarded to Staff Sergeant E. A. Underdown, Royal Army Service Corps, attached Indian Army Corps of Clerks


British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (5350948 S-Sgt E. A. Underdown RASC-IACC) very fine £120-£160 B.E.M. London Gazette 9 January 1946.


89


A Second War B.E.M. awarded to Mr. G. Robertson British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (George Robertson), nearly extremely fine


£100-£140


Two men with the name George Robertson were awarded the British Empire Medal during the period 1937-49 (the period covered by this issue of the medal):


B.E.M. London Gazette 21 February 1941: George Robertson, Police Constable, Metropolitan Police: P.C. Robertson was driving a Police van with War Reserve Police Constable Thomas Brakespear Rippon as passenger, when a number of high explosive bombs fell nearby. Two exploded very close to the van which was considerably damaged and covered with debris. The officers were much shaken but not actually injured. Another constable arrived and reported that nearby premises had been demolished and that he believed people were trapped. All three officers at once went to the incident where they found a house completely wrecked except for a portion of the roof which was suspended at an angle of about 60 degrees from the party wall and in a very precarious condition. Voices were heard coming from the debris and the three officers, working together, succeeded in enlarging a small hole sufficiently to allow P.C. Robertson to enter the room in which the people were trapped. The atmosphere was very foul as there was a strong escape of gas mingling with the dust caused by the explosion. P.C. Robertson found five persons in the room, four of whom were under beds, surrounded and heaped up with debris, and one entangled in the bed springs. P.C. Rippon then crawled in and helped Robertson to release the trapped people. The roof collapsed after the rescue work had been completed. Both these men have on previous occasions exhibited coolness and presence of mind under dangerous conditions and have been an excellent example to fellow officers.’


B.E.M. London Gazette 15 June 1945: George Robertson, Resident Fireman, Tyne Improvement Commission. www.dnw.co.uk all lots are illustrated on our website and are subject to buyers’ premium at 24% (+VAT where applicable)


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