The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 2)

Five: 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal; New Zealand War Service Medal; New Zealand Memorial Cross, G.VI.R. (O/7132 A.B. G. S. Dennison) nearly extremely fine (5)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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George Stanners Dennison, Able Seaman O/7132, R.N.Z.N.V.R. was killed in action when the cruiser H.M.S. NEPTUNE was sunk with heavy loss of life by an enemy mine off Tripolli on 19 December 1941, aged 30, son of Mr & Mrs Dennison of Dunedin, New Zealand. He is commemorated on the Ottago War Memorial, Panel No. 10.

The cruiser NEPTUNE, Captain Rory C. O'Connor, was off Tripoli in the early hours of 19 December 1941, in company with the cruisers AURORA and PENELOPE with the destroyer KANDAHAR and some others. NEPTUNE was leading the cruisers when she ran into an enemy minefield, striking three mines in quick succession. The ships, which belonged to the famous Mediterranean Force ‘K’, were only 20 miles distant from Tripoli and it was impossible to remain in the area in daylight. Captain Agnew, commanding the force, therefore withdrew in the AURORA, the PENELOPE following later. Commander Robson, Commanding the destroyers, in the KANDAHAR penetrated the minefield with the intention of taking the NEPTUNE in tow, but struck a mine on the way. NEPTUNE then fouled a fourth mine and sank. Of her complement 47 officers, including Captain O'Connor, and 719 ratings, of whom 147 were New Zealanders, were killed. A number of survivors were picked up by the enemy and became prisoners of war.