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Auction: 17002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 437

Royal Fleet Reserve, G.VI.R., 1st issue (J. 97756 (Po. B. 17831) W. J. Cosens, A.B., R.F.R.), 'F.' of 'R.F.R.' double-stamped, extremely fine

William James Cosens was born at Alton, Hampshire in July 1904 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in June 1920. Advanced to Able Seaman in 1922, and having seen service in destroyers in the Mediterranean, he purchased his discharge in 1931, when he was enrolled in the Royal Fleet Reserve.

Mobilised on the renewal of hostilities, he joined H.M.S. Dauntless in the 9th Cruiser Squadron in the South Atlantic. In December 1939, the Squadron, including Dauntless, transferred to the China Station, and in March 1940 Dauntless operated as a unit of the British Malaya Force while in the Indian Ocean: she operated mainly off Batavia, keeping watch on German merchant ships in the Dutch East Indies harbours.

Cosens came ashore to the Gosport training establishment Sultan in March 1941 but returned to sea in the battleship Malaya in August 1941: she was then employed on convoy escort duties to Malta and Cape Town. In June 1943, and having joined Daedalus, the Royal Naval Air Station at Lee-on-Solent, he was advanced to the acting rank of Petty Officer. Later still, he appears to have served in H.M.S. Cormorant, prior to being 'released to shore' in March 1945; sold with copied service record.



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Sold for
£50