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Auction: 18003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 519

A fine Second World War and post-war campaign group of five awarded to Captain J. H. Akam, Royal Marines

Given charge of the R.M. detachment aboard the cruiser H.M.S. Manchester in May 1942 - his own action station being the 6-inch main armament spotting office - Akam was quickly employed on convoy duties. His most memorable trip was undoubtedly Operation "Pedestal" in August 1942, the most famous of all Malta's convoys: on that occasion Manchester had to be abandoned after being torpedoed by a pair of Italian MAS boats off the Tunisian coast, her casualties amounting to some 150 officers and men

An Acting Major in 32nd Battalion, R.M. by the war's end, Akam saw further action with No. 3 Commando Brigade in the Malaya operations in 1950-52

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Malaya, G.VI.R. (Capt. J. H. Akam, R.M.), mounted as worn, together with his identity discs (2), contact marks, very fine or better (7)

John Haddon Akam was born on 23 July 1917 and was educated at St. Bees School, Cumbria. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Marines in July 1937, his ensuing seagoing included the battleship H.M.S. Rodney.

Soon after the outbreak of war, he was appointed to 1st Battalion, 101st R.M. Brigade, in the acting rank of Captain, and it was in the same capacity that he joined the cruiser Manchester in May 1942, when he was given charge of the ship's R.M. detachment; his own action station was in the main 6-inch main armament spotting office in the Director-Control Tower (D.C.T.) and he was quickly employed on the Arctic run.

Operation "Pedestal" - loss of H.M.S. Manchester

The importance of Operation "Pedestal" requires little introduction here, Winston Churchill himself requesting regular updates as to the convoy's progress, but for the record's sake it is worth registering the bare facts: of the 14 merchantmen that set out, nine were sunk and three damaged, while the Senior Service's input of 59 escorts - the largest such force ever assembled in defence of a convoy - sustained losses of an aircraft carrier, a cruiser and a destroyer, in addition to severe damage inflicted on another half a dozen ships. And the cruiser in question was Manchester.

Having already emerged safely from sustained enemy attacks in the Sicilian Channel on 11-12 August 1942, Manchester fell victim to a pair of Italian MAS boats on the 13th, the latter hitting her with torpedoes at 01.30 hours, as she lay about nine miles off the Tunisian coast. With around 150 resultant casualties, the sinking cruiser had to be abandoned, some of her survivors being taken off by H.M.S. Pathfinder but the remainder had to take to the ship's boats and Carley floats. Akam was among them and, on reaching the Tunisian coast, they were interned by the Vichy French.

Following his eventual repatriation, Akam was called to the resultant Court Martial held at Admiralty House, Portsmouth, in February 1943; a copy of his extensive submission is included. He was, as stated, in position in the 6-inch main armament spotting office in the D.C.T., and recalled how his guns engaged the Italian MAS boats:

'The next thing that occurred was an 'Alarm' given on a bearing on the Port side. Our searchlight was switched on soon after Kenya switched on hers.

When the Director and searchlights got on the bearing, an E Boat was illuminated. This target was immediately engaged with all 6-inch armament, and the Port 4-inch gun.

Later on, another E Boat was illuminated and turned away. The 6-inch armament engaged the first target throughout. The first E Boat continued a parallel course, made smoke and we still continued engaging it until we got an 'Alarm' on the Starboard side.

The ship continued on her course so far as I could see. 'Check Fire' was ordered, and the main armament was trained round to the new bearing. I could not see anything at first, but soon afterwards an E Boat, at very short range, was picked up by the searchlights on the Starboard side.

This boat was engaged with the main armament as soon as we got on target. Almost immediately after this target was engaged, I saw the track of a torpedo approaching at very close range which hit the ship on the Starboard side somewhere aft … '

Akam now had the responsibility of evacuating his R.M. detachment and of recovering the ship's Confidential Books. The latter had to be brought up on deck from down below and, as a consequence, he was unable to join those who got aboard the Pathfinder. He continues:

'About a quarter of an hour after the Pathfinder had left, it was piped round the ship for everybody to muster on the Flight Deck. The Captain came down and spoke to the men.

The Commander then issued orders as to abandoning ship in the Carley floats. Soon afterwards, the cranes were brought into use, as they were still working, and the power boats were hoisted out.

I gave orders for the chests containing the Confidential Books to be put over the side, and saw myself this was done, and reported to the Captain that I had done so.

I was on board about an hour after this, generally assisting. Eventually, I went over the side on one of the Wardroom cushions and picked up a Carley float afterwards.'

Following his appearance at the Court Martial, Akam returned to normal duties and he ended the war as an Acting Major in 32nd R.M. Battalion.

Post-war - Malaya - Commando

A stint in the 34th Amphibious Support Regiment having ensued in India, Akam returned home to more leisurely pursuits. He represented the R.N. at Lords in the summer of 1947, in their annual contest against the R.A.F., and took two wickets and scored 25 runs.

In April 1950, however, he joined H.Q. No. 3 Commando Brigade aboard the carrier Ocean, bound for Malaya. On his arrival he undertook a jungle training course with No. 45 Commando and remained on active service in the same theatre of war until returning home in 1952.

He finally retired in April 1958, when he took up a teaching post at Boundary Oak Prep School at Fareham, Hampshire, and he was still running the school's cricket team in the mid-80s. He died at his home in Southsea in November 1997.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including the recipient's commission warrant for the rank of 2nd Lieutenant, R.M., dated 1 July 1937; a Certificate of Qualification as a Small Arms Instructor, dated 19 April 1943; his Naval Pay and Identity Books (2); a War Gratuity Form, for services in the period September 1939 to August 1946; and Admiralty retirement letter, dated 14 April 1958; together with a good selection of photographs relevant to his active service in Malaya, including scenes ashore.



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Sold for
£850