Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (AB G. L. Saint, D197749F, H.M.S. Penelope), in card box of issue, extremely fine £180-220

Sold with a folder containing details of H.M.S. Penelope’s service in the South Atlantic, ship details and seven photographs of the ship.

An extract reads, ‘Early on 14 June several enemy aircraft, including Exocet carrying Super Etendards, attacked our troops surrounding Stanley and harrassed British shipping. As they opened to the north east they spotted Penelope with a merchantman in company. a missile was launched from the air and most of those on the upper deck saw its menacing red glow as it descended from the launch aircraft and skimmed at wavetop height towards the ship. The ship avoided the missile by violent high speed manoeuvring. It was a most sobering experience. The merchantman, unaware of the dire danger, observed Penelope’s dramatic missile firing actions and signalled, ‘I enjoyed the firework display’