Six: Chief Petty Officer S. W. Scrace, Royal Navy

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (J.113782. S. W. Scrace. P.O. H.M.S. Ironclad.) good very fine, last rare to ship (6) £80-£100

Sidney William Scrace was born in Bedwelty, Monmouthshire, on 23 November 1909. He joined the Royal Navy in November 1927 on a twelve year service which continued because of the Second World War. His postings included H.M.S. Pegasus in February 1938, a training ship for seaplane pilots and to evaluate aircraft catapult operations and techniques; H.M.S. Sharpshooter from 26 August 1938 to April 1940: in June 1939 this ship helped look for the submarine Thetis, which had sunk in Liverpool Bay, and was later based in Scapa Flow; H.M.S. Farndale from 18 April 1941 to 2 March 1942 which was involved with Malta Convoys, Atlantic and the Arctic and North Africa; and H.M.S. Ironclad, a shore base in Diego Suarez, Madagascar from from 16 June 1942 to 11 August 1943.

Scrace was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 23 June 1943, which was sent to H.M.S. Caroline in June 1944. Further study of the navy medal rolls show only two long service medals were awarded to H.M.S. Ironclad, the other being to a John Alfred Leake on 26 March 1943. He was advanced Chief Petty Officer on 15 May 1945, and was discharged to shore in 1949. He died in Reading in 1986. He would also have been entitled to the Arctic Star.

Sold with copied service papers.