WW2 1939-1945, Atlantic (France and Germany bar), Pacific (B...

Hammer

£300

WW2 1939-1945, Atlantic (France and Germany bar), Pacific (Burma bar), Italy Stars and BWM with MID oakleaf, Pacific Star and BWM privately engraved to Lieut Cdr C.H. Metcalfe R.N.R. (rest un-named as issued. Cedric Hugh Metcalfe was twice mentioned in dispatches in London Gazettes dated 1st July 1941 and 5th December 1944. With original Admiralty transmittal slip and instructions for wearing MID oakleaf, Continuous Certificate of Discharge covering 1920-25 & 1939, Nautical College Pangbourne Certificate as Second Mate dated 1920, Second Mate Certificate of Competency 1/8/23, USA Alien Seaman’s ID card (with photo) and various other official documents. With 2 folders with documents and copied research, he was born in Wallsend 24/5/02, served with New Zealand Shipping Co to 1925, commissioned RNR 11/3/40 and posted to HMS Royal Eagle a Thames Paddle steamer serving in the AA roll. The Royal Eagle and Metcalfe met several runs to Dunkirk and the ship is credited with rescuing 2,657 men from the beaches and surviving 43 air attacks, with hand written memories of his service at Dunkirk and afterwards. He was appointed in command of HMLST 321 on commissioning in New York in November 1942. She sailed to UK in Convoy SC126 in April 1943 with 20 Shermans among the load. She landed Canadian troops and tanks in the invasion of Sicily on 10th July 1943 and then also took part in the Salerno landings and later the Anzio landings in January 1944. The ship then returned to UK and landed troops on Juno Beach on D-Day (the second MID is believed to be for Normandy). In June 1945 LST 321 was bound for the Far East and took the first troops into Singapore after the surrender and then sailed around the area with troops taking the surrender of various Japanese outposts. Also includes copied ship photos, newspaper articles, LGs, original letters, book extracts etc etc. (½B)