Auction Catalogue

4 & 5 March 2020

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 1167

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5 March 2020

Hammer Price:
£700

A Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea group of four awarded to Naval Gunlayer, Later Lieutenant, R. F. Edwards, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, for his bravery when his ship S.S. Satellite was attacked by an enemy bomber on 25 September 1940 - he also received the King’s Commendation for the same action. He was subsequently killed on active service in an explosion in Algiers Harbour on 16 July 1943

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea, silver (R. F. Edwards, A.B., S.S. “Satellite” 26th [sic] September 1940); together with a King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct plastic badge, the K.C.B.C. badge in relic condition; edge bruising to Lloyd’s Medal, otherwise good very fine (4) £800-£1,200

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2011 (Lloyd’s Medal only).

King’s Commendation
London Gazette 13 December 1940:
‘For brave conduct when their ships encountered enemy submarines, aircraft or mines.’

‘S.S.
Satellite - The Satellite was attacked on September 25th by an enemy bomber, about 21/2 miles North of Wolf Rock. During four attacks the vessel was machine-gunned, tracer bullets setting on fire a case of Cordite Charges. Trinity House Seaman Gunner A. Simons and Naval Gunlayer R. F. Edwards, at once threw the burning box overboard, where it exploded a few fathoms astern of the vessel. This prompt action saved the crew from harm and probably preserved the ship from serious damage. As on previous occasions, the crew of the Satellite showed their fighting spirit by replying vigourously to the enemy’s attack, and their counter-fire drove off the enemy bomber. The machine was reported to be losing height when breaking off the attack.’ (extract from the Medals Sub-Committee of Lloyd’s of London).

On 5 December 1940 the Medals Sub-Committee of Lloyd’s recommended the award of their Silver Medal for Bravery to Naval Gunlayer R. F. Edwards. Both Symons and Edwards additionally received the King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct.

Reginald Frank Edwards was born in Bristol on 22 August 1914, and served during the Second World War in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve- at the time of his gallantry in S.S. Satellite he was born on the books of H.M.S. President III as an Able Seaman. He was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant (Acting Lieutenant) in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 8 May 1941, and was killed on active service at Algiers on 16 July 1943 when the Norwegian convoy ship Bjørkhaug exploded at Algiers harbour- at the time Edwards was in the captain’s cabin, and the explosion blew away the whole front part of the ship, killing everyone who was there. His body was not recovered, and he is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Sold with copied research.