Offered is a British Empire Medal group of 10, as awarded to Petty Officer (Pensioner) John Mallaburn, who was awarded a Mention in Dispatches in connection with with the sinking of the German Pocket Battleship Scharnhorst in 1943. The medal group includes The British Empire Medal (Civil) E. Impressed named JOHN WILLIAM MALLABURN. (with official corrections); British War and Victory Medals impressed named J. (both heavily polished to face); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45 with M. Oak Leaf; Royal Navy L. 3rd issue, coinage head impressed named J. The medals have been silvered plated and all have been lacquered. Court mounted as worn and come with copies of Naval service papers, B. London Gazette 1 January 1966 (Deputy Superintendent, Royal Courts of Justice) & M. London Gazette 7 March 1944, which Seedies Roll states for the sinking of the Scharnhorst. John William Mallaburn was born in Edmonton, London in December 1902. He joined the Royal Navy as Boy 2nd Class in June 1918, and served during the Great War with H. Mallaburn advanced to Able Seaman in April 1922, and post-war service included with H. Ships Marlborough and Hood. He was awarded the L. In February 1936, and served with H. Edinburgh during the early stages of the Second War. He was also a qualified Navy Diver. Mallaburn advanced to Acting Petty Officer (Pensioner), and served with the heavy cruiser H. Norfolk from 14 June 1940. In early 1941 she was employed on Atlantic convoy duty, but by May the Norfolk had moved into Icelandic waters to join the hunt for the German battleship Bismarck. The moment it became known that the Bismarck and Prinz Eugen had put to sea from Bergen, dispositions were at once made to prevent the enemy from breaking into the Atlantic to execute Admiral Lutjenss Good hunting and good bag. Sent to patrol the Denmark Straits, the cruisers H. Norfolk set out to track down the enemy, poor weather with fog and ice floes making their brief all the more difficult. On the evening of 23 May 1941, however, lookouts aboard the Suffolk, followed by those in the Norfolk, sighted the German ships sailing at high speed on a south-westerly course. Admiral Wake-Walker immediately reported this intelligence to the surrounding British forces. Throughout the night the two cruisers continued to shadow the enemy force and, on the following morning, witnessed the attack carried out by the Prince of Wales and the Hood, the ultimate result of which was the terrible loss of the latter battleship. Hits, however, were observed on the Bismarck, and soon afterwards a successful torpedo strike was delivered by a Fleet Air Arm aircraft from the Victorious. On the evening of 25 May contact was lost and it was not until a Coastal Command aircraft re-sighted the Bismarck 550 miles west of Lands End that the Royal Navy moved in for the kill. Mallaburn was with the Norfolk when she was employed as part of the escort for Convoy JW 55B. The Scharnhorst attacked the convoy, 26 December 1943, with the Norfolk scoring three hits on her during the following pitched battle. After the war Mallaburn was employed in the Royal Courts of Justice. We list militaria and coins weekly. We provide quality mounted medals, badges and historical research. We can mount your miniature or full size medals, ribbon bars or supply replacement ribbons or badges. We can also conduct military research on your behalf and value cherished objects with a current market or insured value. 2/135 Russell St, Morley, WA. We run two specialist military auctions per year. Items are accurately described & photographed. Additional costs for this standard service will be added for this service based on publicly available Australia Post rates. Please note, these items are located and will be posted from Australia. We appreciate fair feedback from you once you receive the item. We aim to give you, the customer our best customer service. The item “WW1 & WW2 NAVAL BRITISH EMPIRE MEDAL GROUP MALLUBURN. MID SINKING SCHARNHORST” is in sale since Saturday, November 9, 2019. This item is in the category “Collectables\Militaria\1939 – 1945 (WWII)”. The seller is “jb_military_antiques_14″ and is located in 2/135 Russell St, Morley, Perth, WA. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Country: Britain
- Product Type: Medals
- Authenticity: Original
- Era: 1940s
- Campaign: World War II