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

Four: Able Seaman R. Fisher, Royal Navy

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine and better (4) £180-220

Rufus Fisher was born in Lancashire in September 1924 and joined the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman at the training establishment H.M.S. Raleigh in December 1942. Posted to the Coastal Forces base Hannibal at Algiers in April 1943, he was advanced to Able Seaman and served in M.L. 458. In April 1944, he was transferred to Malta, where, in the following June, he joined M.T.B. 375, in which vessel he served until July 1945. Fisher was released in April 1946 but joined the Royal Fleet Reserve in October 1948 and attended several “refresher” courses between then and his final demobilisation in March 1954.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including the recipient’s Certificate of Service, Torpedo History Sheet and Trade Certificate; National Registration Identity Card (March, 1946); a small card signed by a Lieutenant-Commander, U.S.N., of ‘Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 22’, confirming the recipient’s attachment to ‘Task Force 86’ (undated); an impressive and interesting wartime photograph album (approximately 100 images), many of Coastal Forces craft and personnel; and a folder appertaining to the East Lancashire Branch of the Coastal Forces Veterans Association.