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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 438

(x) Nine: Able Seaman W. J. L. Gay, Royal Navy, Later Temporary Lieutenant (SP), Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-39 (J.114537 W. J. L. Gay. A. B. R. N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R. (J.114537 W. J. L. Gay. L. S. H.M.S. Shrapnel); Cadet Forces Medal, E.II.R. (Ty. Liet. (SP). W. J. L. Gay. R.N.V.R.), mounted as worn, light contact marks, very fine overall (9)

William John Leonard Gay was born at Bath, Somerset on 10 May 1910 and enlisted on 23 July 1925 as Boy Class II. He reached his majority with the Battlecruiser Renown on 3 January 1928 and was further advanced Able Seaman with Champion in 1929. On the outbreak of the Second World War he was serving with the destroyer Faulknor.

This vessel was the command ship for the Senior Destroyer Officer after the Second Battle of Narvik, she also recued survivors from the Polish destroyer Grom which had been sunk by German bombers. She later joined Force H in the mediterranean, being present for the attack on the French fleet at Mers-el-Kebir. They saw further action there at the Battle of Cape Spartivento and a number of attempts to resupply Malta.

Gay left Faulknor on 1 November 1941 and was posted ashore, joining Calshot an R.A.F. seaplane base on 22 November 1942 he served there for some time, likely working with the seaplane tenders. After this he joined St Barbara, the anti-Aircraft training station at Bognor Regis and ended the war ashore. He was discharged on 8 October 1945.

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

Estimate

Starting price
£150