Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Nine: Marine H. V. Seal, Royal Marines

British War and Victory Medals (PO. 20081 Pte., R.M.L.I.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (PLY. 21584 Mne., R.M.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals; Coronation 1937; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage bust (PLY. 21584 Mne., R.M.), the second with officially re-impressed naming, the Great War awards and L.S. & G.C. with edge bruising and contact marks, thus good fine, the remainder good very fine (9) £250-300

Herbert Victor Seal was born at Larkhall, Bath in March 1900 and enlisted in the Royal Marines at Bristol in May 1917. Joining the strength of Glory III in May 1918, he was subsequently employed with the Special Marine Detachment at Murmansk and returned home in July 1919. Having signed-on for a second period of engagement, he was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in June 1933 and the Naval General Service Medal with clasp ‘Palestine 1936-1939’ for services aboard the battleship Royal Oak; presumably, too, his Coronation 1937 Medal, although this is not listed on his service record and has not been traced on the relevant roll. Seal was pensioned ashore in March 1939, but was immediately recalled by his old corps on the eve of the renewal of hostilities, and was subsequently employed on the strength of President III until July 1945, which establishment was the H.Q. for all personnel employed in Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships (D.E.M.S.). He was discharged in September of the latter year.