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Auction: 8016 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 294

Family Group: A ´Military´ B.E.M. Group of Eight to Chief Petty Officer G. Sutton, Royal Navy, Who Was Serving in H.M.S. Exeter When She Was Sunk by the Japanese, 1.3.1942, He Spent the Rest of the Conflict as a Prisoner of War a) British Empire Medal, Military Division, E.II.R. (C.P.O. George Sutton J161117S), officially renamed, with Royal Mint case of issue b) 1939-1945 Star c) Atlantic Star d) Africa Star e) Pacific Star, the stars all engraved ´G. Sutton D/JX 161117´ on the reverse f) War Medal g) Naval General Service 1915-62, G.VI.R., one clasp, Minesweeping 1945-51 (J161117S G Sutton A/Ldg Sea RN), with named card box of issue h) Royal Naval Long Service & G.C., E.II.R., with Second Award Bar (JX 161117. G. Sutton. P.O. H.M.S. Drake.), generally nearly extremely fine, with the following documentation &c.: - The recipient´s Naval Pay and Identity Book - The recipient´s Royal Navy Certificate of Service (new certificate issued 18.11.1965) - Six letters regarding the recipient joining Training Ship Arethusa, 1937 - Fourteen receipts for a monthly sum of £0-10-0 being sent to the recipient at Training Ship Arethusa by his father, May 1937- June 1938 inclusive - Various documents and memorabilia from Training Ship Arethusa, including a photograph of the recipient, and his Naval Cap Tally - Telegram to the recipient´s mother informing her that her son is ´Missing on Active Service´, dated 13.3.1942 - Letter to the recipient from Vice-Admiral A.M. Power, M.B.E., informing him of the award of the British Empire Medal, dated 1.6.1973 - Buckingham Palace enclosure for the British Empire Medal - Eighteen photographs, including a number of the recipient, and of H.M.S. Exeter - Copy of The Shotley Magazine, the Record for H.M.S. Ganges, dated Summer 1939 - Copy of Ordeal in the Sun, by George Cooper, the account of how the survivors of H.M.S. Exeter were treated by their Japanese captors Three: Sergeant G.E. Sutton, Middlesex Regiment, Late Royal Fusiliers British War and Victory Medals (L-7835 Sjt. G.E. Sutton. Midd´x R.); Army Long Service & G.C., G.V.R. (L-17707 Sjt. G.E. Sutton. R. Fus.), brooch pin mounted behind suspension retaining rod on last, otherwise very fine (11) Estimate £ 500-700 B.E.M. London Gazette 2.6.1973. J161117S Chief Petty Officer George Sutton, B.E.M., born Harraton, Durham, 2.9.1923, the son of Sergeant G.E. Sutton, Middlesex Regiment; joined the Naval Training Ship Arethusa, 7.4.1937; joined H.M.S. Ganges as Boy 2nd Class, 11.1.1939; Boy 1st Class, 6.8.1939; joined H.M.S. Kent, 4.2.1940, and was serving in Kent when she was torpedoed during German air attacks, with the loss of 33 men. Joined H.M.S. Exeter, 10.3.1941; Ordinary Seaman, 2.9.1941; took part in the Battle of the Java Sea, 27.2.1942, during which Exeter was fatally hit by an 8" shell- she was later sunk following a further direct hit whilst making her way to port for repairs, 1.3.1942, with 400 of the crew being made Prisoner of War; interned for the remainder of the War at the Dutch Military Camp at Maccassar, which the Japanese had turned into a POW Camp; Able Seaman, 2.6.1942; Acting Leading Seaman, 2.12.1942; repatriated at the end of the War, to H.M.S. Drake, 1.3.1946; assisted in mine clearance duties, Denmark Strait, 1946-47; Leading Seaman, 21.5.1947; Petty Officer, 28.2.1951; Awarded Long Service & G.C. Medal, 26.9.1956; Served as Chief Gunnery Instructor whilst stationed in Hong Kong, 13.10.1956-10.3.1959; Chief Petty Officer, 22.1.1961; served as an Instructor in Training Establishments H.M.S. Raleigh and Fisguard; Appointed Chief Bosun´´s Mate, H.M.S. Drake, 1.9.1970; Awarded Second Award Bar to Long Service & G.C. Medal, 26.9.1971; Awarded the British Empire Medal, 2.6.1973; retired 1.9.1973 having completed 32 years´´ pensionable service. Chief Petty Officer Sutton died 24.5.2005.

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£850