Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Ordinary Signalman P. E. Meadows, Royal Naval Patrol Service, who was among those killed when H.M.T. Rifsnes was sunk by enemy aircraft off Ostend in May 1940

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, together with a metalled Minesweeping badge, extremely fine (4) £80-100

Peter Eric Meadows was among those killed when the minesweeper trawler Rifsnes was sunk by enemy aircraft off Ostend on 20 May 1940. Commanded by Lieutenant L. L. Thornton, R.N.R., and armed with a single 12-pounder A.A. gun, the Rifsnes had been requisitioned for mineweeping purposes by the Admiralty in August 1939. The son of Arthur Thomas and Nora Frances Meadows of Bletchley, Buckinghamshire, he was 22 years of age, had no known grave and is commemorated on the Lowestoft Memorial.

Sold with a large wartime studio photograph of the recipient in uniform, together with a printed message of condolence from the Postmaster General of the G.P.O., dated at London, 1940:

‘I desire to express my deep regret at the death of P. E. Meadows, who, after 6 years faithful service to the State as an Officer of the Post Office, has lost his life while serving his Country in War.’