A group of five medals, awarded to Apprentice Ian Alastair C...

Hammer

£1,200

A group of five medals, awarded to Apprentice Ian Alastair Clark, comprising a BEM 1935-1945 Star, Burma Star, War Medal, and a Lloyds's Medal for Bravery at Sea, with copy of research The London Gazette of 16/5/44 carried the announcement of the award of the BEM (Civil) to Apprentice Clark, the citation reads as follows:
The Ship was sailing alone when she was shelled by enemy submarines. Although only one of the vessel's guns could be used owing to the gun platforms being on fire, the enemy's fire was immediately returned. The Master was mortally wounded & pined down by debris, but despite this he ordered the abandonment of the ship, which was on fire from end to end. Apprentice Clark, aged 18, displayed outstanding courage and devotion to duty. He stood by the dying Master on the bridge, rendering what help he could. When ordered to abandon ship, he lowered one of the boats & brought in to within the sight of land before being picked up. Apprentice Clark was also awarded the Lloyd's War Medal for Bravery at Sea, for the same action. This was announced in the Lloyd's List & Shipping Gazette of 24/5/45, the citation being virtually identical to the citation for the BEM. A total number of just 523 Lloyd's Medals for Bravery at Sea were awarded up to December 1947, when it was discontinued