Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Seven: Gunner W. E. Gunns, Royal Navy, who served in the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Eagle during Operation Pedestal, the Malta Convoy, and survived the sinking of the Eagle by the German U-Boat U-73 on 11 August 1942

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (J.100096 W. E. Gunns. L.S. H.M.S. Iron Duke.) good very fine (7) £140-180

William Edward Gunns was born in Hampton, Middlesex, on 22 November 1904 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 16 December 1920. Advanced to Leading Seaman on 1 May 1934, he was posted to H.M.S. Iron Duke on 19 January 1937, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 4 November of that year. He transferred to the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Eagle on 30 May 1939, and served on her during the Second World War, being promoted Petty Officer on 1 April 1940. H.M.S. Eagle, along with the carriers Victorious and Indomitable, took part in Operation Pedestal, the most famous of the Malta convoys. On the early afternoon of 11 August 1942, during Operation Pedestal, H.M.S. Eagle was hit by four torpedoes from the German U-boat U-73 commanded by Helmut Rosenbaum, and sank 70 miles south of Cape Salinas within four minutes of being hit. 131 officers and crew were lost in the sinking, along with 16 precious aircraft, but remarkably 67 Officers and 862 crew, including Gunns, were rescued by the destroyers H.M.S. Laforay and Lookout.
Gunns subsequently joined H.M.S. Excellent on 21 October 1942. Promoted to Temporary Gunner on 14 April 1943 he was appointed to H.M.S. Hannibal (Algiers and Taranto, Italy) as a Gunner Instructor and remained there until placed on the retired list on 25 November 1945.

Sold together with the recipient’s Parchment Certificate of Service; Certificate of Wounds and Hurts from when he was injured by the explosion of a round which had jammed in an Oerlikon Gun whilst he was instructing at H.M.S. Hannibal on 15 December 1943; a Medical Officer’s letter regarding a knee injury dated 19 February 1934; and two photographs.