Orders, Decorations and Medals

Four: Lieutenant D. R. Spooner, Royal Navy
1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; War Medal, all unnamed as issued, together with original Medical Transfer Form to the Royal Victoria Military Hospital at Netley, dated 1st December 1947

Six: Regulating Petty Officer E. C. Lankester, Royal Navy
1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Burma Star, clasp, Pacific; War Medal, all unnamed as issued, together with autographed portrait photograph, good very fine (10) £120-140

Derek Richard Spooner served from 29 December 1941 to May 1947 aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Penn, which took part in various actions including Malta Convoys. From November 1944 until mid 1947 he was serving on the cruiser H.M.A.S. Hobart. He was admitted to hospital in December 1947, suffering from a Hypomanic State, and retired in 1948.

Edward Charles Lankester joined the Royal Navy in October 1941, and was posted to H.M.S. Manchester in February 1942, operating on the North Sea run to Iceland on Russian Convoys and took part in the landing of Norge Troops at Spitsbergen in June 1942. H.M.S. Manchester was sunk in the Mediterranean on 23 August 1942, whilst on Convoy duties to Malta with the largest Mediterranean convoy of the war. Lankester was picked up by the destroyer H.M.S. Eskimo after his ship sank and he had spent more than eight hours in the water. He was taken to Gibraltar and returned to the U.K. on board the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Victorious. After attending a Gunnery course he served aboard H.M.S. King George V from January 1943 to January 1944, operating Russian and Mediterranean Convoys. Took part in the bombardment of Sicily and was present at Taranto for the surrender of the Italian fleet. After attending a Petty Officer (Regulating) course at Portsmouth, he was appointed to H.M.S. London, and took part in convoy duties to Australia, the bombardment of Sabang, and was present at Sabang for the surrender of the Japanese Armed Forces on 15 August 1945. He was discharged in April 1946 and emigrated to South Africa in October 1947. The above information was supplied by the recipient.