Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: J. F. Erickson, Mercantile Marine, a native of Sweden
British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (John F. Erickson) good very fine

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (Ply. 17210 W. Crout. Mne. R.M.) edge bruise and light contact marks, very fine (3) £60-£80

John Frederick Erickson was born in Stockholm, Sweden, on 20 November 1871, and served with the British Mercantile Marine during the Great War: his medals were sent to 11 Thomas Street, Sunderland. He died on 4 May 1955.

William Crout was born in Stonehouse on 4 August 1895, and enlisted in the Royal Marines on 9 September 1914. He served for most of the Great War in the armed merchant cruiser H.M.S. Orcoma, part of the 10th Cruiser Squadron Northern Patrol, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 31 October 1929, whilst serving in H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth. From 1925 to 25 April 1941 he was a Groom to many senior officers. During the Second World War he served in 101st Brigade, Royal Marines, from 26 April 1941 to 30 September 1941- this unit was to be part of Churchill’s Operation Jupiter, which was the code name for a plan originating in 1941 for an invasion of Northern Norway and Finland which was never realised. He was discharged to pension on 16 August 1945.