A MERCANTILE MARINE C.B.E. GROUP OF NINE. A group of nine co...

Hammer

£420

A MERCANTILE MARINE C.B.E. GROUP OF NINE. A group of nine comprising First World War War Medal named to James A Smith, Mercantile Marine War Medal similarly named, 1939-45, Atlantic, Africa (South Africa 1942-43 Clasp), Pacific and Italy Stars, all unnamed as issued and War Medal, mounted as worn. And a C.B.E. 2nd type on civilian neck ribbon. James Alder Smith was born at Liverpool on the 21st January, living at 6 Brook Road, Great Crosby. By 1901 James was a Cadet on the training ship H.M.S. Conway. Joining the Merchant Navy James Smith gained Competency as First Mate in 1914 and Master for Foreign-Going Steamships by 1918. The C.B.E. was confirmed in the London Gazette on the 13th June 1946 at which time he may well have been Captain of the Accra which was part of a convoy of 40 ships sailing from Liverpool on the 26th July 1940. She was hit by A German torpedo, due to the foresight and calmness of the Captain an orderly evacuation took place. Of the 499 passengers and crew four crew were killed, one injured and eight missing with a further eight passengers missing. Mounted for display with copied research.

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The CBE and group of three were offered for auction in 2005 with documents now lost. It is not clear who the vendor was at this time or if the group has been extended since? Good condition.