Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 17001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 172

'I should point out that in 1967 the insurgents, the National Liberation Front (N.L.F.), and Front for the Liberation of Occupied South Yemen (F.L.O.S.Y.), were increasingly threatening the peace of Aden and the surrounding Federation. The two opposing factions were fighting each other for ultimate control of the country and, as the opportunity presented itself, engaging British forces. The insurgency therefore affected our efforts to set-up the Navy.'

A quote taken from Michael Lewry's summary of his services in South Arabia in 1967.

An interesting General Service 1962-2007 Medal awarded to Sub. Lieutenant (E.) M. J. Lewry, Royal Navy, who was among the small party of naval personnel charged with establishing the South Arabian Navy at Aden in 1967

General Service 1962-2007, one clasp, South Arabia (Sub. Lieut. M. J. Lewry, R.N.), good very fine

Michael John Lewry was born at Milton, Kent on 12 March 1937 and entered the Royal Navy as an Artificer Apprentice in January 1953. Having then attained the acting rank of Chief Engine Room Artificer in the summer of 1964, he attended the R.N.C. Greenwich and was commissioned Sub. Lieutenant (E.).

It was in the same rank that he was attached to a small party of R.N. personnel charged with establishing the South Arabian Navy at Aden in 1967, his own task being to bring up to speed three ex-R.N. inshore minesweepers: the Blunham, renamed Dairak, the Bodenham, renamed Saqr and the Elsenham, renamed Al Ghazala.

As such Lewry was appointed a Technical Officer in the fledgling South Arabian Navy, his brief also including the recruitment of new personnel from the Aden Levies to replace those who had deserted. It was a difficult brief, enacted in a dangerous environment and in the face of considerable local opposition but, by September 1967, Lewry had conducted the first sea trials of the modified Al Ghazala; sold with his typed statement of services in respect of South Arabia, together with other copied documents and photographs.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£260