Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Chief Petty Officer E. C. Breen, Submarine Service, Royal Navy, who was killed in action when H.M. Submarine Pandora was sunk during a bombing raid on Valetta, Malta, on 1 April 1942

British War and Victory Medals (J.89821 E. C. Breen. Boy 1. R.N.) BWM unofficially re-engraved; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (J.89821 E. C. Breen. L.S. H.M.S. Severn.) nearly very fine (3) £100-£140

Ernest Charles Breen was born in Lydney, Gloucestershire, on 5 December 1902, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 1 June 1918. He joined H.M.S. Dolphin on 1 May 1924, and spent the rest of his service in Submarines. Advanced Leading Seaman on 26 June 1935, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 2 January 1936. Promoted Petty Officer on 3 April 1938, he saw further service during the Second World War, and was killed in action when H.M. Submarine Pandora was sunk during a bombing raid at Valetta, Malta, on 1 April 1942. Pandora was unloading when the bombing raid commenced, but the decision was made to continue the process in order to save time, and she took two direct bomb hits and was sunk. Breen has no known grave and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial.

Sold with copied record of service and other research.