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Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 537

Family Collection

'Twice torpedoed in six weeks!
That has been the experience of a Monifieth youth- Air Mechanic (First Class) Harry Mathers, of the Fleet Air Army, whose home is in Brook Street, Monifieth.
He was serving in the aircraft carrier Ark Royal when she was torpedoed and sank in the Mediterranean.
Equipped with a new rigout he was on board H.M.S. Audacity when she was torpedoed and sank during the recent five-day attack by U-boats upon a convoy of ships.

(An Article in the People's Journal and Angus Herald relates the terrifying experiences of Air Mechanic Harry Mathers in 1942)


Five: Air Mechanic H. Mather, Fleet Air Arm, who was twice sunk during the Second World War, first with Ark Royal and again with Audacity

1939-1945 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Burma Star, clasp, Pacific; War Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, sold together with a comprehensive archive of original documentation including certificate of service, light pitting, very fine (5)

Three: Private H. Mathers, 12th Battalion, Royal Scots

1914-15 Star (26624 Pte H. Mather. R.Scots.); British and Victory Medals (26624 Pte. H. Mather. R. Scots.), good very fine (3)

Harry Mather was born in 1898 and entered the war with the Royal Scots on 29 December 1915. He was hospitalised with scarlet fever in 1917 but survived it and continued to serve with them until 18 March 1919; sold together with copied service papers.

Harry Mather was born at Camlachie, Glasgow on 6 April 1922, the son of Harry Mather of Monifieth, Angus. Attesting as Air Mechanic on probation on 7 February 1940 he was confirmed Air Mechanic Class II on 1 April. In that rank Mather was posted to the aircraft carrier Ark Royal on 25 October 1940 serving with 800 Squadron operating Blackburn Skua aircraft.

He was rated as Air Mechanic Class I on 9 May 1941 while the ship was part of the hunt for the Bismark. It was not long later that aircraft from Ark Royal attacked her on 26 May damaging her steering and allowing for the final climactic battle with the pursuing Royal Navy ships. Despite her role in the victory Ark Royal was not to survive much longer herself as she was torpedoed and sunk on 10 November 1941 by U-81. Most of the crew were able to transfer to other ships as she sank slowly and all, but 1 man was saved, including Mather.

He transferred to the Auxiliary Aircraft Carrier Audacity, the first attempt at an effective escort carrier. She was to take part in four convoys, ending in convoy HG 76 which saw her sail from Gibraltar on 12 December 1941. One of her aircraft was able to sink U-131 on 17 December but this was followed by a wolfpack of 12 U-boats on 21 September which had specific orders to sink the troublesome Audacity.

The first torpedo struck her in the engine room but two more followed which caused an explosion of aviation fuel, the resulting explosion blew off her bow. The ship sank surprisingly slowly given this damage however she was under the water within 70 minutes and lost 73 of her crew. Mather related the terrifying story to the newspaper quoted above which relates:

'Thus, for the second time, he lost all his belongings except the clothes he was wearing.
"I got away the first time by sliding down a rope on to the deck of a destroyer," Harry told me. "The second time I was not so lucky. I had to jump into the water, and trust to being picked up".'

He was rescued and continued to serve, somewhat ironically his service papers note that he was issued with life belt in June 1942, the year after his duel sinkings. Mather saw further service with Valiant and Condor being advanced Leading Air Mechanic with the latter on 15 May 1943. He was transferred to 816 Squadron in August 1943 seeing service with the Escort Carriers Tracker and Chaser.

Again transferred, this time to 828 Squadron in September 1944 service in shore appointments with her for the rest of the war. Mathers was discharged on 3 September 1946; sold together with a large archive of original material including:

i)
Newspaper articles relating to the recipient's career including the one quoted above.

ii)
Original certificate of service.

iii)
Discharge certificate, release forms and Release and Resettlement booklet.

iv)
Squadron Leave slip dated to 1946 in which the recipient is noted as part of a maintenance party.

v)
Enamelled Ark Royal badge.

vi)
H.M.S. Tracker Christmas Card

vii)
A photograph of the recipient in uniform with a severely distressed telegram.

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Sold for
£180

Starting price
£180