Nine: Petty Officer Mechanic A. P. Smales, Royal Navy

1939-45 Star (Stoker 1st Class A. P. Smales H.M.S. Ajax); Atlantic Star (Stoker 1st Class A. P. Smales H.M.S. Ajax); Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43 (Ldg. Sto. A. P. Smales H.M.S. Sheffield); Italy Star (Ldg. Sto. A. P. Smales H.M.S. Sheffield); Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf (P.O. A. P. Smales, R.N.); Royal Naval Reserve L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue Q990959 Ch. M. (E), R.N.R.) renamed; mounted for wear; Chile, Municipality of Conception’s Medal of Gratitude for the Earthquake of 24 January 1939, bronze, reverse inscribed, ‘A. P. Smales, H.M.S. Ajax’; U.S.S.R., Medal for the 40th Anniversary of the Great Patriotic War 1945-85, mounted Russian style, some contact wear, generally good very fine (9)
£250-300

M.I.D. not confirmed.

Alan Patrick Smales was born in Ramsgate, Kent on 2 May 1919. He entered the Royal Navy in May 1937, his first seagoing appointment being on the cruiser H.M.S. Ajax. Documentation accompanying the lot would seem to suggest that he was still on the vessel during the battle of the River Plate when he served as part of No. 3 Fire Party. Smales left the Royal Navy in 1949 and went on to serve in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, 1958-70.

Sold with Certificate of Wounds and Hurts - twisted his right knee during a boxing match, 11 October 1937; R.N.V.R. Certificate of Service; R.N.V.R. Minute Sheet re a Sports Trophy; application form for R.N.R. Training; papers re. pay entitlement; newspaper cuttings re the sinking of the Graf Spee - in one group photograph of sailors from H.M.S. Ajax, Smales is identified; U.S.S.R. Anniversary Medal award booklet and accompanying slip; together with original and copied photographs and copied papers.