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Auction: 24111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 605

(x) Seven: Able Seaman L. J. Calton, Royal Navy, who saw Jutland service with New Zealand and Second War service with Velox during the Battle of the Atlantic

British War and Victory Medals (J.45171 L. J. Calton. A.B. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (J.45171 (CH. B. 20810) L. J. Calton. A.B. R.F.R.), mounted as worn, light contact marks and edge bruising to first two, overall good very fine (7)

Leonard James Calton was born at Attleborough, Norfolk on 6 May 1899 and enlisted with the Royal Navy on 5 October 1915 as Boy Class II. His first posting afloat was the Battlecruiser New Zealand on 14 May 1915 and was still with her on 31 May when she steamed out with the 2nd Battle Squadron for service at Jutland. This unit was part of Admiral Beatty's Fleet which engaged Admiral Hipper's Battlecruiser Squadron during the Run to the South.

She was close to the Queen Mary when she detonated catastrophically around 16:30. Over the course of the Battle she fired 420 rounds of her 12-inch ammunition, over half of her ammunition store, and sustained only one hit. Carlton was appointed Ordinary Seaman with her after the Battle and went ashore on 11 November 1917.

He was later to see action in Patrol boats, starting with P63 and later P31. Advanced Able Seaman with the latter on 3 August 1918 he continued to serve after the war aboard a number of different vessels.

Discharged on 5 May 1929 Calton joined the Royal Fleet Reserve two days later. Mobilised for service in the Second World War on 15 June 1939 he was posted to the Destroyer Velox with whom he was to serve for the entire conflict. She was present during the British clashes with the French fleet in 1940 including the pursuit of the Dunkerque on 6 July 1940. Participating in Operation Hurry later in the year Velox was later posted to Convoy duty in the Mediterranean and Atlantic where she served for the rest of the War. Calton was demobilised on 28 September 1945; sold together with copied service papers.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£140

Starting price
£80