Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (C/JX.409227 T. E. Sharpin A.B. R.N.) extremely fine £140-£180

Thomas E. Sharpin was amongst 15 crew members of H.M. Motor Launch 2582 who were killed on 6 June 1952 when a Dutch Thunderjet, executing a sham attack during a combined exercise by British, Dutch, and Belgian forces, struck the mast of the motor launch and crashed on the deck. The crash occurred in the Marsdiep, between the northern tip of Holland the Isle of Texel, two miles off the coast. Both the Thunderjet and the launch burst into flames and soon sank; the Dutch pilot and 15 of the motor launch’s crew of 16 were killed. There was only one survivor, Leading Stoker Mechanic W. J. Johnson, who was thrown into the water and was able to stay afloat until he was rescued by some fishermen who had seen the accident from the shore and had set out in their boats.