Father and son groups with: 1. WW2 OBE (1943), WW1 BWM, Merc...

Estimate

£300 - £300

Father and son groups with:
1. WW2 OBE (1943), WW1 BWM, Mercantile Marine War Medal, WW2 1939-1945, Atlantic, Africa, Italy Stars and BWM to Chief Engineer Officer Robert Milligan Merchant Navy (WW1 pair named to Robert Milligan, rest un-named as issued) good very fine to extremely fine. His OBE was announced in the London Gazette dated 4th January 1943. With original OBE box, Buckingham Palace Investiture ticket dated 25 May 1943, 6 photos in uniform and 5 in civilian attire and un-dated typed letter from Vice-Admiral Hornell and Commodore to the Director Head Line Ltd about the S.S. Fanad Head in which he hoisted his convoy pennant. Part of the letter reads "I cannot refrain from mentioning the Chief Engineer, Mr Milligan who has the energy and enthusiasm of youth with the deep knowledge acquired by years of experience and a true love of his profession."
He was also mentioned in the London Gazette dated 7th August 1918 as having received an expression of commendation for his service, with a copy of the certificate named to Chief Engineer Robert Milligan of the S.S. Rathlin Head. This certificate and his OBE bestowal document were sadly discarded due to lack of space. In May 1918, the Rathlin Head was hit by 4 torpedoes from U-46, but survived and limped back to port. With several 1948 copied newspaper extracts in which it was stated that at the age of 78 and only just on shore leave, he fell off a trolley bus on the Newtownards Rd on 4 Sept. "He was for half a century and engineer in the Head Line and rose to the position of senior engineer of the company. He entered its service in 1893 and retired in 1944, having served on all its ships. Another son, Andrew, who was also a ship's engineer, lost his life by enemy action in January 1944."
2. Son's WW2 1939-1945, Atlantic Stars and BWM attributed to 2nd Engineer Officer Andrew Barclay Milligan Merchant Navy. He was killed in action when Ocean Courage was sank by a torpedo fired by U-182 on 15th January 1943 and sank within 90 seconds near the Cape Verde islands with only 6 survivors. With original photo in uniform, ID disc named A.B. Milligan G.757 and ID disc envelope of issue with matching details. He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial. This lot is offered on behalf of the family with all proceeds going to Portaferry R.N.L.I. (R)