Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War O.B.E. group of seven attributed to Captain H. J. McD. Downie, Merchant Navy

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt, in Royal Mint case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal, M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1953, in card box of issue, all unnamed as issued, extremely fine (7) £200-250

O.B.E. (Civil) London Gazette 24 May 1940.

Commendation London Gazette 18 August 1942.

Henry John McDonald Downie, Captain of the cargo liner S.S. Imperial Monarch, was awarded the O.B.E. for his services when his ship was bombed and straffed by enemy aircraft off the east coast of Scotland on 29 January 1940 - the ship survived both the action and the war. For the same action, a Gunlayer was awarded the B.E.M. (Civil) and six members of the crew received commendations.

As Captain of the cargo vessel S.S. Empire Howard, he received a commendation when his ship, as part of the Russian convoy PQ14, was torpedoed and sunk by the U-403 in the Barents Sea on 16 April 1942. The Chief Engineer of the ship received a M.B.E. (Civil).

With Central Chancery Investiture letter of invitation, 2 October 1940, named to ‘Captain Henry J. McD. Downie, O.B.E. (fold marks, damaged and repaired) and W.W.2 medal forwarding box, addressed to ‘H. J. M. Downie, Esq, O.B.E., Seskin House, Carrick-on-Suir, Co. Tipperary, Eire.’ - this with associated slip. With some copied research.