azyeoman

On 28/08/2022 at 10:57, azyeoman said:

Royal Navy groups are not common and this is a most interesting one to JX141865 AB H.W. Deer, RN

NGS with Palestine 1936-39 Palestine Clasp

1939 Star

Atlantic Star

War Medal

 

Deer was serving on board HMS Voltaire, which was sunk by the Kriegsmarine auxiliary cruiser Thor on 4 April 1941.

The Action of 4 April 1941 was a naval battle fought during the Atlantic Campaign of the Second World War. A German commerce raider encountered a British auxiliary cruiser and sank her with heavy losses after an hour of fighting. Background The Kriegsmarine auxiliary cruiser Thor was raiding in the mid Atlantic in early 1941. On that cruise, the Germans engaged two other British merchant ships in surface battles but they ended indecisively. So when Thor encountered HMS Voltaire, her crew were already battle tested and anxious to sink an enemy combatant. Thor was 122 m (400 ft 3 in) long and weighed 9,200 long tons (9,300 t), she was armed with six 150 mm (5.9 in), two 37 mm (1.46 in) and four 20 mm (0.79 in) naval guns along with four 533 mm (21.0 in) torpedo tubes. The raider also carried an Arado Ar 196A-1 floatplane for reconnaissance and had a complement of 349 officers and crewmen. HMS Voltaire was larger than the raider—displacing 13,245 long tons (13,458 t)—but with a smaller crew of 269 men and officers. She had eight 152 mm (6.0 in) and two 76 mm (2.99 in) naval guns, including at least one anti-aircraft mount. Thor was returning to Germany when she found Voltaire heading to Freetown about 900 mi (780 nmi; 1,400 km) southwest of the Cape Verde Islands Action It was about 06:15 on 4 April when crewmen of Thor spotted smoke on the horizon. Captain Otto Kaehler assumed the vessel to be a coal burning ship so he altered course into the direction of the smoke. When the Germans were able to make visual contact with HMS Voltaire, they suspected she was a neutral ocean liner as she did not attempt to escape. The British—under Captain J.A. Blackburn—sighted the approaching Germans coming head on, so they fired a burst of anti-aircraft fire as signal for identification. A signal from Thor was not returned, but the British soon discovered the identity of the approaching ship at about 06:45, when it replaced the flag of Greece with a German naval ensign and fired a shot across Voltaire's bow. The British responded by manning their guns and firing a broadside with their mixed armament, but to no avail; they were outgunned and outranged. After only four minutes of dueling at around 9,000 m (9,800 yd) away, the Germans began striking Voltaire with their 150 mm (5.9 in) guns. The first shots entered the radio room and the generator room of Voltaire, heavily damaging the vessel, knocking out communications and steering gear and putting her into a list. Heavy fires also broke out and nearly covered the entire deck of the British ship. Despite the fire the Royal Navy gunners continued fighting for nearly an hour. For the next several minutes, the two sides fired; only one British shot managed to hit Thor, and it caused no casualties, the shot tearing off some radio equipment attached to the main mast. By 07:15, only two of the British 152 mm (6.0 in) guns were in action, while Thor circled around Voltaire, firing rapidly. At 08:00, the German's 150 mm (5.9 in) guns overheated so Captain Kaehler decided on a torpedo attack to end the engagement. But just as Thor was lining up to fire a spread, a white flag was observed aboard Voltaire and so the firing ceased. Captain Blackburn—having lost 72 men killed in action—gave the order to abandon ship and for the next five hours the Germans rescued 197 survivors, two of whom died later on and the rest became prisoners of war. Koehler also recorded that half of the rescued sailors were wounded. After the battle, Thor continued on to Germany to refit for a second raiding voyage. She had fired 724 rounds in a 55 minute battle, more than 50 percent of her ammunition

 

Most of the PoWs were sent to Marlag und Milag Nord, but some such as AB Deer ended up in Stalag VIII-B (Lamsdorf), later numbered Stalag 344.  The hospital facilities at Stalag VIII-B were among the best in all Stalags. The so-called Lazarett was set up on a separate site with eleven concrete buildings. Six of them were self-contained wards, each with space for about 100 patients. The others served as treatment blocks with operating theaters, X-ray and laboratory facilities, as well as kitchens, a morgue, and accommodations for the medical staff.

The lazarett was headed by a German officer with the title Oberst Arzt ("Colonel Doctor"), but the staff was made up entirely of prisoners. They included general physicians and surgeons, even a neurosurgeon, psychiatrist, anesthesiologist and radiologist.

 

In January 1945, as the Soviet armies resumed their offensive and advanced into Germany, many of the prisoners were marched westward in groups of 200 to 300 on Death Marches. Some died from the bitter cold and exhaustion. The lucky ones got far enough to the west to be liberated by the American army. The unlucky ones got liberated by the Soviets, who instead of turning them over quickly to the western allies, held them as virtual hostages for several more months. Many of them were finally repatriated towards the end of 1945 through the port of Odessa on the Black Sea.

  Here are some original German files for Deer who was incarcerated in Lamdorf.  One card is particularly nice as it has his photograph and as such puts a face to a name.  I thank Rob P', another PoW collector, very much for his help in finding these and forwarding them on to me.  

A very nice addition to your collection. I only have two double PoW recipients’ medals. One for the 2nd Anglo-Boer War when he was captured and released both times, and a second one to a Merchant Navy man captured twice in the Norway campaign. He escaped the first time, but was captured again trying to take a ship out and on to the UK. All these PoWs have thrilling tales.  I look forward to your next addition. 

Here's an article on it.

https://news.sky.com/story/soldiers-and-emergency-workers-among-more-than-400-000-people-to-be-awarded-coronation-medal-12873380

There is a nominal roll for the crew that served on the RMS Republic online.  http://www.rms-republic.com/crew.html

But in order to make a nominal roll for those who were awarded the CQD Medal in 1909 it is necessary to find the crew lists for Baltic and Florida too.  Does anyone know where those may be found if indeed they are available.  Thanks in advance for your kind help and assistance.

A new QSA to a trooper from the South African Constabulary for a very late action in the war.

Queens South Africa Medal to Trooper Kewell South African Constabulary
Officially named to: 608 TPR. E.J. KEWELL S.A.C. Five clasps for Transvaal, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, South Africa 1901 and 1902.
Edward James Kewell was taken Prisoner of War on February 23rd 1902 at Bothaville, Orange Free State.

Wonderful research and write up on Carrade’s captivity in

Colditz. 

Love those Spinks labels! 

A fine 19th Hussars WIA and PoW pair.

QSA with Defence of Ladysmith, Orange Free State, Lanig's Nek and Belfast clasps.

KSA with SA01 and SA02 clasps.

Officially named to: 3893 Pte. R Childs, 19th Hrs.

Childs was dangerously wounded at Lombard's Kop on 30/10/99, and later taken PoW at Helvetia on 29/12/1900. 

Robert Childs was a labourer who was born in Chelmsford, Essex in 1873.  He enlisted in Canterbury on 14/11/1892.  He was 5'7" and weighed 129 lbs.  He had dark brown hair and brown eyes.  He was C of E.  He served from 1892 to 1909.  Home 1892 to 1894; India 1894 to 1899; S. Africa 1899 to 1902; Home 1902 to 1903 and then Army Reserve from 1903 to 1904. 

Information from the Anglo Boer War Site.

Surname      Forename/inits      Regimental no      Rank      Notes 
Childs    R    3893    Private    Wounded at Farquhar's Farm. 30 Oct 1899.
Source: Natal Field Force Casualty Roll, page 15 line 9

Childs    R    3893    Private    QSA (4). Wounded, Farquhar's Farm, 30 Oct 99. Prisoner, Helvetia, 29 Dec 00. Released.
Source: QSA medal rolls

Childs    R    3893    Private    Prisoner. Helvetia, 29 December 1900
Released
Source: South African Field Force Casualty Roll

Childs    R    3893    Private    QSA (4) DoL OFS LN Belf
Provisional list of recipients
Source: Ladysmith Siege Account and Medal Roll

16 hours ago, TracA said:

Azyeoman,

 

Thanks. If you intended to insert a URL to the thread, then for some reason the URL didn't come through.

 

All the best,

 

Tracy

See if this works. : )  Cheers, jl

Here's something else that's recently arrived.

Japanese Lacquered Sake Cup (Sakazuki) for the China Incident
This is a vintage Japanese wooden lacquered sake cup, sakazuki. It is written as a sake cup that was given to him when he was discharged from the Kanazawa Army Hospital after being injured in the China Incident War.
•    Japanese wooden lacquered sake drinking cup, sakazuki
•    China Incident War 
•    Words on the box: Sowa 16. Oct. 5th. Wood cup, Discharged from Kanazawa Army Hospital
•    Words on the sakazuki: Victory/ Kanazawa Army Hospital/ Commemoration of the China Incident
•    Wood
•    Item weight: 35 grams
•    Packed weight: 235 grams
•    C1941
•    Approx. 9 cm wide x 3 cm tall
•    Acquired from a home in Gifu, Japan
 

35 minutes ago, TracA said:

Azyeoman,

 

Beautiful badge. It is always a great bonus when you also have the case.

 

Any idea what the badge is for?

 

Tracy

Hi Tracy,

It's a Japanese Labour Badge.  Here's an excellent thread on it. 

A new addition to my small  collection.  I'm quite pleased it has its case.

On 16/03/2023 at 04:35, Nick said:

Posted on 6th March should be with you any day.

Received today with thanks!  Glad to support your hard work, which makes this such an excellent site!  Thank you for all you do. 

That’s a very nice pair. Thanks for sharing. 

Thanks Dave, I was thinking the very same.  Cheers, John

I came across this on the internet and was wondering if anyone knows anything at all about it.  Thanks in advance.

49 minutes ago, JapanX said:

Nice doc.

 

Medal "1914-20" was awarded on November 1, 1920 to 

 

陸軍工兵特務曹長 - Army special duty military engineer sergeant major

小林由兵衞  - Yuhei Kobayashi

 

He was also awarded with 7th class Rising Sun order and 7th class Golden Kite order.

 

Photo (also quite nice, note the position of the marksmanship badge - this is early style of wearing, later these badges will be worn under the uniform pocket) depicted a different person.

 

Best,

Nick

 

P.S. I am not very good in running hand handwriting. His name could be Gendō Tsūjirō and he is wearing 1894-95 Sino-Japanese War Medal.

 

 

Thanks Nick!  I really appreciate it!!! Do most certificates indicate the other medals or decorations that were awarded to the recipient?  I am very happy to learn of his other medals. Thanks very much again! John
 

On 05/03/2023 at 04:34, Nick said:

I have some Green Badges in limited numbers, they are reserved for Patrons at the time being. But I am looking at ordering more if the demand is great enough for other deserving loyal and supportive individual member groups which may be a different colour. But I need to know there will be a demand. 

Hi Nick,

Has my green badge been posted yet?  Thanks, John

Here are a couple of items that I would very much appreciate any help in translating.  The first is for a WWI Campaign Medal and the second is for a photograph with an inscription on the reverse.  It appears that the photo is of a young man who was awarded the WWI Campaign Medal who it would seem was in the army as he is wearing a marksmanship badge.  Again, any and all help is greatly appreciated.

I agree with Paul. It couldn’t be the Transport either as the clasps were not as thin. Great use of the filter!  

I believe it’s the Ashanti. 

Thanks very much again!

Thanks! That’s the info I need to know!  😀

Does anyone know anything about this medal?  Thanks in advance. 

Thanks very much.  I have to say that the four other medal bars I have are all tied down so the medals can’t move, and show wear from the post on the reverse of the medal.  There is also uniform wear to all the ribbons indicating a long time on the bar. 
Thanks again! John

22 hours ago, JapanX said:

I wouldn't recommend it John.

 

Best,

Nick

Thanks very very much Nick!  

I thought it might be a combination for a low level government clerk.