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

Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (J. 32559 R. G. Bettles, A.B., H.M.S. Ilex) contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise very fine £100-120

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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Reginald George Bettles (alias Hall) was born at Walmer, Kent in February 1899, the son of a Royal Marine, and entered the Royal Hospital School, Greenwich in August 1911, prior to being appointed a Boy 2nd Class in the Royal Navy in September 1914. It is likely, therefore, that he went on to win entitlement to at least a single British War Medal 1914-20, not least since his time proper commenced from February 1917.

During the course of the 1939-45 War, he is known to have served as a Leading Seaman in the 59th Landing Craft Assault Flotilla and was mentioned in despatches for his part in the capture of Termoli in October 1943 (Seedie’s and London Gazette 25 January 1944 refer). The original recommendation - which also records the fact that he had been put forward for similar approbation in the North Africa landings - cites his ‘calmness and devotion to duty while under fire from the enemy shore batteries and during bombing attacks while employed on Operation DEVON.’

It is also worth noting that the destroyer H.M.S. Ilex won no less than nine Battle Honours in the 1939-45 War, ranging from “Atlantic 1939” to “Salerno 1943”, with earlier Mediterranenan actions such as “Calabria 1940” and “Spada 1940” in between, actions at which Bettles may well have been present prior to transferring to the 59th L.C.A. Flotilla.