Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Seven: Gunner H. J. C. Fry, Royal Navy, who was recommended for an Immediate Honour and received a ‘Mention’ for his gallantry when H.M.S. Formidable came under sustained air attack in the Mediterranean, 26 May 1941

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Burma Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R, 3rd ‘coinage head’ issue (J.94723 H. J. C. Fry. P.O. H.M.S. St. Vincent.) mounted as worn, very fine and better (7) £160-200

M.I.D. London Gazette 2 December 1941:
‘For courage, resolution, and devotion to duty in operations in the Mediterranean.’

The recommendation, originally for an Immediate Decoration, dated 6 June 1941, states: ‘For courage and good leadership in an emergency. He was in general charge of the forward ammunition supply. When the bomb burst putting out all lights and filling the Stoker’s Mess Deck with smoke, he at once organised lighting and hoses for fire-fighting. Subsequently he organised a supply of ammunition by hand to the forward turrets, when the conveyor broke down.’

Henry James Charles Fry was born in Aldershot, Hampshire, on Christmas Day 1902, and joined the Royal Navy on 11 March 1919, as a Boy 2nd Class in H.M.S. Impregnable. Promoted Able Seaman on 30 June 1921, he was awarded his Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 5 June 1936 whilst serving in H.M.S. St. Vincent. Appointed temporary acting Commissioned Gunner on 13 June 1940, he joined the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Formidable on 22 October of that year, and was Mentioned in Despatches for his gallantry when Formidable came under sustained air attack during her passage to launch strikes on Scarpanto airfield on 26 May 1941- she suffered major structural damage including to ‘X’ turret and to her flight deck equipment. Confirmed in his rank upon retirement at the end of the War, he died in 1979.

Sold together with a large quantity of copied research.