Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 668
(x) A Second World War B.E.M. group of eight awarded to Able Seaman J. C. Ritchie, Royal Navy, decorated for services in the destroyer Punjabi, most likely connected to the collision with King George V
British Empire Medal, Military Division, G.VI.R., (J.83807 J. C. Ritchie. A.B. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.83807 J. C. Ritchie Boy.1 R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (J.83807 J. C. Ritchie. A.B. H.M.S. Watchman.), very fine (8)
B.E.M. London Gazette 1 July 1941.
John Cummings Ritchie was born at Kirkaldy, Scotland on 2 December 1900 and was a labourer when he joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 1st Class in April 1918. He served on a variety of vessels including Motor Launch 236 from May 1919 to January 1920. He was presented with his Long Service medal on 28 February 1934. He saw further service in a variety of vessels up until March 1939 when he was posted to H.M.S. Punjabi.
Ritchie was present at the action in April 1940 that became known as the 2nd Battle of Narvik, when the battleship Warspite, with a force of six destroyers, accomplished the destruction of no less than seven enemy destroyers. For her own part, the Punjabi made two torpedo attacks - one of which found its mark - and actively engaged the enemy with her guns from the outset of the action. Inevitably, however, as the range closed and yet more enemy destroyers appeared on the scene, she came under heavy fire, quickly taking six direct hits that killed as many crew members and wounded another 16. The ship, too, was seriously damaged, and temporarily departed the scene of battle to effect emergency repairs and fight several fires.
Punjabi was deployed on 26 April 1941 as part of the screen providing distant cover for the passage of Convoy PQ 15. They sailed from Hvalfjörður on 29 April and on 1 May, she was rammed and sunk in a collision with the battleship H.M.S. King George V in foggy conditions. While steaming in formation in heavy fog, the lookout on Punjabi reported what he believed to be a mine dead ahead; the captain reflexively (and regrettably) ordered a 15-point emergency turn to port; in so doing, she sailed directly into the path of King George V and was sliced in two by the battleship's bow. 169 of the ship's company were rescued from the forward section, and another 40 were picked up from the sea by other escorts, including Marne. Those crew left in the aft section, which sank very quickly, were killed when her depth charges detonated; 49 of her crew lost their lives in the accident. Ritchie was one of those who survived and was rewarded for his service with a birthday honours BEM.
Ritchie was discharged to shore on 25 October 1946.
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Sold for
£350
Starting price
£180