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Auction: 16003 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals and Militaria
Lot: 23

A 1944 B.E.M. and Second War 'Africa Landing' M.I.D. Group of Seven to Petty Officer W.V. Holdway, Royal Navy
a) British Empire Medal, G.VI.R., Military Division (P.O. Walter V. Holdway D/J 107038), edge prepared prior to naming
b) 1939-1945 Star
c) Atlantic Star
d) Africa Star
e) Italy Star
f) War Medal, with M.I.D. Oak Leaf
g) Naval Long Service & G.C., G.VI.R. (J.107038 W.V. Holdway. A.B. H.M.S. Rodney), good very fine, together with a distressed group photograph of the recipient, the recipient's Certificate of Service, numerous letters of congratulation of M.I.D. and service, Driving License and Industrial Safety Officers certificate, this dated '1st July 1953' (7)

B.E.M. London Gazette 8.6.1944 D/J. 107038 Temporary Petty Officer Walter Victor Holdway (Newton Abbot)

M.I.D. London Gazette 16.3.1943 D/J. 107038 Able Seaman Walter Victor Holdway
'For bravery and skill in the hazardous operations in which the Allies Forces were landed in North Africa.'

107038 Petty Officer Walter Victor Holdway, born Kingsclere, Hampshire, 2.8.1906; volunteered for twelve years' service in the Royal Navy, 23.1.1923, serving initially as Boy 2nd Class; awarded L.S.G.C. with gratuity of £20, 17.9.1939; suffers 'Compound fracture right ring finger', 15.12.1940 [Service Certificate refers]; serves throughout the Second World War in H.M.S. Rodney, being awarded a M.I.D. and B.E.M.; released with Rating of Petty Officer, 1.7.1946, giving his residence as 'Fir Tree Cottage, 24 The Dell, Kingsclere, Nr. Newbury, Berks.'
A typed letter, in the name of Commander R.McC. Thomas, Royal Navy, dated 27.4.1946 provides further information upon the exploits of Holdway. 'Petty Officer W.V. Holdway is a qualified Leading Torpedo Operator and a Low Power Specialist. Since joining the Torpedo Branch in 1925 he has been associated with the maintenance of the electrical installations in H.M. Ships, and since qualifying as an L.T.O. in 1929, and especially since 1938 when he successfully completed the L.T.O. (Low Power) course, he has held a responsible position in the electrical staff of each ship in which he has served. Petty Officer Holdway joined H.M.S. Rodney in 1938 and since then has been in charge of the maintenance and the repair of the intricate Fire Control circuits for the greater part of this period. He is a thoroughly efficient worker and so exception has been his service that he was awarded the British Empire Medal (Military Division) in June, 1944, and has also been mentioned in Despatches while serving in this Ship.'

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Sold for
£650