Seven: Chief Engine Room Artificer H. E. Jee, Royal Navy, mentioned in despatches for services on H.M.S. Orion at the battle of Cape Matapan

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Pacific Star; War Medal, M.I.D. oakleaf, these unnamed; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, S.E. Asia 1945-46 (D/M.39433 C.E.R.A., R.N.) official correction to surname; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (M.39433 C.E.R.A., H.M.S. Bermuda) official corrections to surname and ship; together with a Prize Medal, bronze, reverse inscribed, ‘H.M.S. Pembroke, Artificer Apprentices Athletic Sports 1930’, good very fine and better (8) £400-500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Ron Tuppen Collection of Naval Medals to Engine Room Officers.

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M.I.D. London Gazette 3 February 1942.

Horace Edward Jee served as an Acting Chief Engine Room Artificer on board the cruiser Orion at the battle of Cape Matapan, 27-29 March 1941. He was recommended for an immediate award by Captain G. R. B. Back, R.N. of the Orion, ‘for leadership and exemplary conduct in charge of watch in the Engine Room at the Battle of Cape Matapan’ but in the event received only a ‘mention’.

The Orion was instrumental in keeping in contact with the Italian fleet during the first phase of the battle, and later, it was her radar that picked up the striken Italian cruiser Pola as she lay dead in the water. With the information supplied, the British battleships Barham, Valiant and Warspite were able to approach to within 4,000 yards of the Pola and her cruiser and destroyer escorts. In a short and devastating action, two Italian cruisers - Fiume and Zara, and two destroyers were destroyed and Pola was sunk soon after.