Auction Catalogue

25 September 2008

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

Washington Mayfair Hotel  London  W1J 5HE

Lot

№ 1543

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25 September 2008

Hammer Price:
£680

A Q-ship Naval M.S.M. group of six awarded to Petty Officer W. L. McCleary, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (211884 W. L. McCleary, P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., Admiral’s bust (211884 W. L. McCleary, P.O. “P.C.44” Patrol 1918); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (211884 W. L. McCleary, P.O. H.M.S. Hecla); Messina Earthquake 1908, mounted as worn, very fine or better (6) £450-500

M.S.M. London Gazette 11 April 1919: ‘for services in Destroyers employed on Convoy, Escort or Patrol Duties between the 1st July and 11th November 1918.’

William Long McCleary was born at Kirkoswald, Ayrshire, on 19 May 1884, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 19 October 1900. He was present during the relief operations after the Messina earthquake in 1908 whilst serving aboard H.M.S.
Lancaster. During the Great War he served aboard the newly commissioned P class patrol boat PC.44 from 16 July 1917 to the end of the war. This vessel was one of 10 P class warships to be converted to “Q” status during the war and was also known as PQ.44, and by the names Mortmain and Rolask. He was also mentioned in despatches and awarded the Royal Humane Society Bronze Medal for saving life in the Irish Sea on 1 September 1918. Sold with copy record of service.