Auction Catalogue

2 July 2003

Starting at 10:00 AM

.

Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Grand Connaught Rooms  61 - 65 Great Queen St  London  WC2B 5DA

Download Images

Lot

№ 1074

.

2 July 2003

Estimate: £400–£500

A group of seven medals to Captain George Marmion Duff, Merchant Navy, who was awarded the George Medal and Lloyd’s Medal for Bravery for fighting off a Submarine attack

British War and Mercantile Marine Medals (George M. Duff), in packets and card boxes of issue; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, in card forwarding box with slip, extremely fine (7) £400-500

G.M. London Gazette 8 June 1943. Captain, Master of the M.V. Empire Glade. 'The ship was sailing alone when she was attacked by an enemy submarine shortly before dawn. Many shells exploded on or near the ship which, however, put up a splendid and successful defence. The vessel sustained considerable damage, but emergency repairs were effected and the ship kept going. The submarine continued to shell the ship, but the fire was returned and the enemy was eventually shaken off. In spite of her damaged condition the vessel continued her voyage and arrived at her destination having covered a distance of over 2,500 miles.
The Master displayed great courage and skill in conducting the magnificent defence which saved his ship. It was due to his tenacity, resource and seamanship that the ship was brought safely to port.
The Chief and Second Engineer Officers remained below throughout the attack and carried out their duties with courage and coolness despite damage caused by a shell which penetrated the engine-room.
The Chief Officer was the mainstay of the Master on deckand was outstanding in his courage and devotion to duty.
The Second Officer was the Gunnery Officer in the ship and it was mainly due to his excellent control and direction that such an effective fire was maintained.
The Carpenter and the Storekeeper worked with courage, skill and untiring energy in effecting emergency repairs while the ship was in action.'

Lloyd's Bravery Medal
Lloyd's List and Shipping Gazette 24 May 1945.

Captain George Marmion Duff was born on 24.7.1900. In the Second World War as Master of the Blue Star Line M.V.
Empire Glade, he fought off a submarine attack on the 28th November 1942, in the mid-Atlantic, 800 miles E.N.E of Barbados.

Sold with the recipient's Blue Star Line Company Service Contract booklet; Navigators and Engineer Officers Indemnity Certificate; Authority to wear the British War and Mercantile Marine Medals together with a forwarding slip for the same; award document for the Torpedo Badge, dated January 1921; together with a photograph of the recipient and two pairs of should rank insignia. Also with a Continuous Certificate of Discharge to 'George Duff' born Dublin 1873.