A Collection of Medals to Second World War Casualties

Three: Able Seaman A. S. Snaith, Royal Navy, who was killed in action when H.M.S. Wryneck was attacked and sunk by German Ju87 dive bombers whilst taking part in the evacuation of Greece, 27 April 1941

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Admiralty enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mr. H. H. Snaith, 11 Edward Street, Salford 6, Lancs’, extremely fine (3) £120-160

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Second World War Casualties.

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Albert Sidney Snaith served during the Second World War as an Able Seaman in the fast escort ship H.M.S. Wryneck. In March 1941 she formed part of the escort of military convoys taking British troops to Greece as part of Operation Lustre. In April 1941, following the fall of Greece, Wryneck returned to assist in the allied withdrawal. On 26 April she rescued troops from Nauplia. The following day, 27 April, she sailed with H.M.S. Diamond to assist in the rescue of survivors from the Dutch troopship Slamat, which had been disabled in air attacks. After picking up 700 crewmen and troops, the two ships came under sustained air attack from a force of Ju87 dive bombers. Wrynack and Diamond were both sunk around 20 nautical miles east of Cape Maleas, Greece. Of the 983 men from all three ships, only 66 survived.

Snaith was amongst those killed, aged 21. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. His medals were sent to his father Mr. H. H. Snaith.