Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Seven: Chief Stoker C. H. Jones, Royal Navy

Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (K. 63456 S.P.O., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; War Medal, M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (K. 63456 S.P.O., H.M.S. Gurkha), nearly extremely fine (7) £180-220

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals for Services at Sea from the Collection of the Late Oliver Stirling Lee.

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Charles Henry Jones was mentioned in despatches for his services as a Chief Stoker aboard the minesweeper H.M.S. Pangbourne (Seedie’s and London Gazette 1 January 1943 refer).

Whether he was serving aboard the destroyer Gurkha during her brief wartime commission remains unknown, but if he was, he certainly saw action. Having contributed to the destruction of the U-53 west of the Orkneys in February 1940, the Gurkha participated in the abortive raid on Bergen in the following April, and was hit aft by enemy aircraft, a 40 ft. hole being blown in her starboard side - she capsized and sank, taking with her Lieutenant-Commander J. C. Howden, R.N., the captain, four other officers and 11 ratings.