Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: Master W. V. Galbraith, Merchant Navy, who died on the occasion of the loss of the S.S. Brackenfield in June 1944

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, late claims in their original addressed card forwarding box, together with Minister of Transport condolence slip in the name of ‘William Victor Galbraith’, extremely fine (3) £40-60

The S.S. Brackenfield was sailing in a 20 ship convoy from Southampton to Normandy on 10 June 1944 when she was attacked and torpedoed by German E-Boats operating out of Boulogne; loaded with a highly volatile cargo of fuel and munitions, she sank within minutes with the loss of her Master and nine crew.

William Victor Galbraith was 51 years of age and the husband of Lydia Galbraith of Liverpool. He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial; the above described forwarding box is addressed to ‘Mrs. M. M. Galbraith’ at a Glasgow address.