Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Seven: Petty Officer J. W. Temple, Royal Fleet Reserve, late Royal Navy

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals; Royal Fleet Reserve L.S., E.II.R., 1st issue (SSX. 24292 Po. B. 20304 P.O., R.F.R.), together with three embroidered uniform badges, including one for a Naval Diver, very fine and better (10) £80-100

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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Joseph Walter Temple was born in Coventry, Warwickshire in February 1921 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in February 1938. He subsequently witnessed active service aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Nubian from the outbreak of hostilities until May 1941, when she had her stern blown off while assisting in the evacuation of Crete (one of nine Battle Honours won by her in this short period), and in the cruiser Frobisher from February 1942 until July 1943. Thereafter, on qualifying as a Diver, he appears to have been attached to differing shore establishments on the East and South coasts of Africa, the Tana and Assegai among them, and back in the U.K. from February 1944. Released in April 1946, he enrolled in the Royal Fleet Reserve and was employed as an Assistant Diving Instructor until his engagement expired in January 1955, a period that also witnessed his recall at the time of the Korea War, when he served briefly at sea but in the Mediterranean.

Sold with the recipient’s wooden seaman’s box with named brass plaque on lid, containing original service papers, news cuttings, photographs, etc