Six: Chief Engineering Mechanic Declan Carey, Royal Navy

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, silver rosette on ribbon; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45, these unnamed; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 1st issue (KX98360 P.O.S.M., H.M.S. Flamingo) mounted as worn, minor contact marks, good very fine (6) £80-100

Declan Carey was born in Ardmore, Waterford, on 19 August 1920. A Builder’s Labourer by occupation, he enlisted into the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on 25 October 1939. After training at Drake, he was posted to the new escort destroyer Fernie, April 1940-April 1941, being promoted to Stoker 1st Class in August 1940. He was then posted to the escort destroyer Avon Dale, serving on her from May 1941 until April 1944. In the latter part of the war he served aboard the infantry landing ship Sansovino, June 1945-June 1946, and took part in the rescue operations when the M.V. Highland Brigade, carrying two thousand Indian troops, struck a mine off Singapore. The Sansovino used her landing craft to take off some 110 troops from the stricken ship. Carey was made Acting Leading Stoker in April 1945 and was confirmed in that rank in December 1946. In December 1949 he was promoted to Acting Petty Officer Stoker Mechanic when on Alaunia and was confirmed in that rank in December 1950 when on Ulysses. He was awarded the Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. whilst serving on Flamingo, June 1953-March 1955. Rated as Petty Officer Mechanic in March 1955 and Chief Engineering Mechanic in February 1961, he was Pensioned from the Service on 24 October 1961. With original Certificate of Service; Certificate of Engineering Experience and History Sheet for Stoker Ratings. For other medals to the ‘Carey’ family, see lot 1503.