Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (AB (M) (Q) G A Gage D120583J HMS Alacrity) extremely fine £500-£600

H.M.S. Alacrity, a Type 21-class Frigate launched in 1977, served during the Falklands War under the command of Commander C. J. S. Craig, D.S.C. The ship saw extensive service, participating in several bombardments and clandestine operations, often in the face of return fire. On one occasion she detected, engaged and sank an Argentine supply ship, the Isla de los Estados, which Alacrity hit with three 4.5-inch shells, starting a fire which only ended when the 325,000 litres of aviation fuel in the hold exploded in a fireball. Thus occurred the only surface action between British and Argentinian ships of the entire 1982 war. Alacrity was also instrumental in the rescue of survivors from the container ship Atlantic Conveyor when it was hit by an exocet missile.

Able Seaman Gage is mentioned in Captain Craig’s book Call for Fire - Sea Combat in the Falklands and the Gulf War, on the occasion of a shore bombardment on the night of 26/27 May:
‘On this occasion his progress was checked by the soft West Country lilt of Able Seaman Gage who called down to him from the lookout’s position: “Going wrong bloody way if I may say so, sir. The last one was awfully close to the bows.” It was only through this relayed cryptic comment that those of us in the ops room became aware that we were under our first artillery fire from the shore.’