Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Bombardier W. Connelley, Royal Artillery, who was killed in action during Operation Lustre, 26-27 April 1941

1939-45 Star; War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal, G.V.R., Territorial (751491 Bmbr. W. Connolley. R.A.) edge bruising to last, nearly very fine (3) £80-£120

William Connelley, a native of Bradford, Yorkshire, served during the Second World War in 106 (Lancashire Hussars) Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery, and was killed in action during Operation Lustre. On the night of 26-27 April 1941, following the fall of Greece, H.M.S. Wryneck sailed with H.M.S. Diamond to assist in the rescue of British personnel from the Dutch troopship Slamat, which had been disabled in air attacks. After picking up 700 crewmen and troops, the two ships came under sustained air attack from a force of Ju87 dive bombers. Wrynack and Diamond were both sunk around 20 nautical miles east of Cape Maleas, Greece. Of the 983 men from all three ships, only 66 survived. Connelley was amongst those killed, and is commemorated on the Athens Memorial, Greece.