Medals for Services at Sea from the Collection of the Late Oliver Stirling Lee

Seven: Senior Commissioned Electrical Officer S. J. Harwood, Royal Navy

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (M. 38880 E.A. 2, H.M.S. Lightning), mounted as worn, contact marks and polished, otherwise generally very fine (7) £120-140

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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Sydney Jewell Harwood was mentioned in despatches for his services as an Engine Room Artificer Class 2 aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Lightning (Seedie’s and London Gazette 1 January 1943 refer). It may be concluded, therefore, that this distinction recognised his deeds during the period that she won Battle Honours for “Diego Suarez 1942” and “Malta Convoys 1941-42”, the latter activity including the famous “Operation Pedestal”. But whether he was till aboard her when she was sunk by an Italian M.A.S. (M.T.B.) off Bizerta, North Africa in March 1943 remains to be confirmed - two officers and 44 ratings were killed.

More certain is the fact that Harwood was advanced to Warrant Aircraft Officer (Electrical) in October 1945 while based at the Royal Naval Air Station Merlin at Donibristle, and that he eventually retired as a Senior Commissioned Electrical Officer in 1959, a rank that was later re-titled Electrical Lieutenant.