Four: attributed to Stoker 1st Class J. F. Wyatt, Royal Navy, killed in action, H.M.S. Penelope, off Anzio, Italy, 18 February 1944

1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, all unnamed, extremely fine (4) £60-80

Stoker 1st Class James (Jim) Frederick Wyatt, R.N., killed in action aboard the cruiser H.M.S. Penelope, 18 February 1944, aged 20 years. His name is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial. He was the son of Bonsor and Louisa May Wyatt of Carshalton, Surrey.

H.M.S. Penelope was engaged in operations off the coast of Anzio in support of the landings, from 18 January 1944 until her loss on 18 February 1944. She was torpedoed and sunk by a submarine, with the loss of 24 officers and 391 ratings killed out of a compliment of about 500. The ship was famous as a unit of Force K. Based at Malta during a period of intense bombing, she suffered so many hits by shells and bomb splinters, which riddled her superstructure, that she was nicknamed ‘H.M.S. Pepperpot’.

With named condolence slip; greetings card bearing a photograph of H.M.S. Penelope, inscribed, ‘From Jim, my ship, write later. xxxx’; Mayor of Blackpool’s condolence slip to the next of kin of those officers and crew lost on the Penelope, photograph of the recipient and some copied casualty details.

For his brother’s medals, see lot 1099.