A Collection of Medals to Second World War Casualties

Three: Able Seaman C. H. Lebbing, Royal Navy, who was killed in action during Operation Pedestal, when H.M.S. Nigeria, as part of the escort group for the Malta Convoy, was torpedoed by the Italian submarine Axum, 12 August 1942

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Admiralty enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mr. Henry Lebbing, 23 Boston Road, East Ham, London E6’, extremely fine (3) £100-140

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

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Clifford Henry Lebbing served during the Second World War as an Able Seaman in the light-cruiser H.M.S. Nigeria, and was present in her during Operation Pedestal, the Malta Convoy, where she was part of the escort force of 4 aircraft carrier, 2 battleships, 7 light cruisers, and 32 destroyers tasked with guarding the 14 merchantmen. Nigeria was the flagship of the close escort group, commanded by Admiral Horald Burrough. Passing the Straits of Gibraltar on 10 August 1942, the convoy came under sustained air and sea attack, and on the evening of 12 August, when in range of the Axis bases on Sardiania and Sicily, the Nigera was torpedoed by the Italian submarine Axum. She suffered severe damage, with the loss of 52 crewmen. Detaching herself from the convoy, she made her way back to Gibraltar, and thence to the United States of America for repairs.

Lebbing was amongst those killed, aged 24. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. His medals were sent to his father Henry Lebbing.