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Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 672

A Second World War B.E.M. group of six to Master at Arms F. D. Ballard, Royal Navy, late Royal Marine Engineers, awarded for service on the King George V but who forfeited his L.S. & G.C. medal for issuing a free railway ticket

British Empire Medal, G.VI.R. (M.A.A. Frederick D. Ballard. P/M.39657); British War Medal 1914-20 (CH.1135-S- Pte. F. Ballard. R.M.E.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, court mounted for display, a couple of light contact marks to the second, otherwise very fine or better (6)

B.E.M. London Gazette 11 June 1942.

Recommended by the First Lord of the Admiralty:

'For outstanding leadership and zeal as Master-at-Arms in H.M.S. "King George V". He has a very firm hold on the ship's company, and his tact and patience are such that he wields a very good influence, and plays an important part in maintaining the morale and discipline of his ship.'

Frederick Ballard was born at Twyford, Wantage, Berkshire on 20 March 1900. He was a carter before he enlisted into the Royal Marines at London on 5 April 1918, transferring to the Royal Marine Engineers at Chatham the next day and later completing his service on 24 February 1919. He was eligible for a British War Medal 1914-19 for his Great War service.

Ballard then joined the Royal Navy on 3 November 1920 and served on Victory II from 3 November 1920, then on Malaya from 15 March 1922 before joinging Columbine on 17 March 1925, then returning to Victory II on 3 April 1925. He was next posted to Fisgard on 7 June 1925, then to Victory I on 19 September 1925, and on to Columbine from 6 January 1926 ahead of rejoining Victory II on 3 January 1928. Ballard then joined Constance on 26 January 1928 before once again returning to Victory II on 7 February 1928.

He transferred to Acting Regulating Petty Officer on 19 July 1928, from which time he served on Excellent until joining London on 17 June 1931. Ballard again served on Victory II from 17 April 1934 until 21 August 1937, and during this time he was awarded his L.S. & G.C. on 27 March 1935. However this was deprived, his service papers note him issuing a free railway ticket which is probably the reason he lost the medal.

He served on Barham from 22 August 1935 and was then once again to Victory II from 24 February 1937 before joining on Greenwich on 10 April 1937. Returning to Victory II on 16 June 1937, he next served on Coventry from 16 August 1938 before rejoining Victory II on 24 August 1939. Ballard then served on King George V from 1 October 1940 until he was Pensioned on 13 December 1941. He was surveyed at the Military Hospital in Gibraltar on 5 October 1944 and was released from the service on 14 September 1945; sold with various photocopied service papers etc.

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Sold for
£270

Starting price
£170