Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War C.B.E. group of three to Captain J. Alder Smith, Merchant Navy

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Civil) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, gilt metal and enamel, with neck cravat; British War and Mercantile Marine Medals (James A. Smith); together with a pair of miniature dress medals of the last two, extremely fine (5) £400-450

C.B.E. London Gazette 13 June 1946.

Sold with C.B.E. bestowal document and accompanying letter; a letter of congratulations from the shipping company to Smith as Captain of the Maloja, dated 12 June 1946 and a copied report of an interview with Captain Smith as Master of the S.S. Accra, dated 2 August 1940.

The Accra, with Smith as Captain, was part of a convoy bound from Liverpool to Freetown. Departing Liverpool on 26 July1940, the convoy numbered 40 ships. On 26 July, Smith reported witnessing the Vinemoor blow up, having been hit by a submarine launched torpedo. Shortly afterwards the Accra was similarly hit. The ship immediately began to sink but through the foresight of Captain Smith, an orderly evacuation was made. Of the 499 passengers and crew on board, 4 members of the crew were killed, 1 injured and 8 missing, and of the passengers, 8 were missing. While most of the convoy sailed on, the Hollanside and the Norwegian Loke turned back and picked up the survivors from both ships.

Withdrawn