Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Eleven: Petty Officer C. F. Wakeham, Royal Navy, who served in H.M.S. Exeter during her epic encounter with the Admiral Graf Spee at the Battle of the River Plate on 13 December 1939

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, E.II.R. (P/JX. 135923 G. F. Wakeham. P.O. R.N.); Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (P/JX. 135923 G. F. Wakeham. P.O. R.N.) officially re-impressed naming; U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (JX 135923 G. F. Wakeham. P.O. H.M.S. Mull of Kintyre.) mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s H.M.S. Ajax and H.M.S. Exeter Chilean Medal of Gratitude 1939, presented by the Chilean Municipality of Concepción for the Earthquake of 24 January 1939, bronze, an officially named later issue, the obverse featuring the Eagle coat of arms of Concepción, ‘Municipalidad de Concepción Chile’ around, the reverse inscribed ‘Gratitud a Marinos “Exeter” y “Ajax” Terremoto del 24-1-39.’, and named ‘C. F. Wakeham HMS Exeter’, light contact marks, good very fine (11) £800-£1,000

Charles Frederick Wakeham, a shop assistant from Brentford, Middlesex, was born on 4 February 1916. He attested into the Royal Navy as a Boy on 23 June 1931 and served in H.M.S. Exeter from 31 October 1936. Whilst serving in the 8th Cruiser Squadron on the South America Squadron, Exeter assisted with the humanitarian mission following the devastating earthquake at Concepción, Chile, on 24 January 1939. The earthquake, the deadliest in Chile’s history, measured 8.3 on the Richter scale and led to a death toll of approximately 28,000, and around 95% of the town’s buildings were completely destroyed. A medal was struck to be awarded to the crews of H.M.S. Exeter and H.M.S. Ajax, but owing to the outbreak of the Second World War, the majority of the unnamed medals were never issued. However, in March 2017, a second named issue was awarded to surviving crew members who had not received the earlier award.

‘Upon the outbreak of the Second World War, H.M.S. Exeter, still on the South America Squadron, under Rear-Admiral Henry Harwood, was heavily engaged against the Graf Spee on 13 December 1939. Just five minutes after the start of the action, an 11-inch shell burst alongside the British ship, killing torpedo tubes crews. A minute later she received a direct hit on “B” turret which put its two 8-inch guns out of action. Splinters swept the bridge, killing or wounding all but three of the officers and ratings standing there. The Captain escaped and, finding the bridge out of action and the wheel-house communications wrecked, he made his way aft to the fight the ship from there. As he did so, Exeter received two more direct hits from 11-inch shells forward ... The Exeter was still receiving punishment, although it was at this stage of the battle that the light cruisers were taken in and out with such skill, striking the enemy with their full weight whenever he turned to tackle the largest of the British cruisers. Two more 11-inch shells hit the Exeter, causing further casualties and extensive damage. One entered the hull and started a fierce fire between the decks. The other put the foremost turret and its two 8-inch guns out of action. It was on the occasion of these hits that the spotting aircraft reported she had completely disappeared in smoke and flame, and it was feared that she had gone. However, she emerged and re-entered the action. In doing so the men of the Exeter proved again the indomitable spirit of the Royal Navy. Their ship was badly stricken. Two of the three turrets were out of action, leaving no guns forward. She had a 7 degrees list and was down by the head. All her compasses had been smashed, and the Captain was handling his ship with the aid of a small boat’s compass. In these circumstances she altered course towards the enemy and fired her torpedoes ... The Exeter, gradually dropping astern, fought on until she had nothing left to fight with. At about 7.30 a.m. her sole remaining turret was flooded. Ten minutes later she turned to the south-east and slowly limped away, making necessary running repairs as she went ... Exeter made her way to the Falkland Islands, where she underwent repairs until January 1940, before she could undertake the return voyage to the U.K. Meanwhile, her casualty return spoke volumes: five officers and 56 ratings killed, three ratings died of wounds, and three officers and 17 ratings otherwise wounded. So, too, the resultant awards to her gallant ship’s company: a C.B., two D.S.Os, seven D.S.Cs, three C.G.Ms, 17 D.S.Ms and 18 “mentions”.’ (The King’s Cruisers, by Norman Holman, refers).

Appointed Petty Officer on 6 November 1942, Wakeham saw later Second World War service in H.M.S. Glenarn, H.M.S. Grebe, H.M.S. Cleopatra, H.M.S. St. Angelo, H.M.S. Effingham, H.M.S. Druid and H.M.S. Caroline, as well as other shore establishments. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 3 February 1949, after having re-enlisted to complete his pension on 14 May 1946. Post-War, he served in Malaya and Korea and was awarded the 1953 Coronation medal. Pensioned to shore on 8 March 1956, he died in Plymouth, aged 77, on 6 February 1993.

Sold with copied service papers; a quantity of original related photographs, including several of the recipient in uniform and in later life wearing his medals; the original menu card for the Corporation of London’s Guildhall luncheon held in honour of the officers and men of H.M.S. Exeter on 23 February 1940; original newspaper cuttings relating to the battle; the 50th anniversary edition of Memories of the Battle of the River Plate containing contributions from the recipient; his named ‘Crossing the Equator’ parchment whilst serving in H.M.S. Exeter, dated 1937; original programme for the Coronation 1953 review of the fleet at Spithead; original medal ribbon bar; rank badges; and newspapers cuttings relating to the late issue of the Chilean award.