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Auction: 19001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 495

H.M.S. Black Swan

21 April 1949

Casualties: 12 wounded

The Naval General Service Medal awarded to Stoker Mechanic S. Pepper, Royal Navy, who served aboard H.M.S. Black Swan

Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Yangtze 1949 (D/SKX. 771800 S. Pepper, Sto. Mech., R.N.), edge bruise, good very fine

With the perilous plight of Amethyst painfully apparent, the cruiser H.M.S. London (Captain P. G. L. Cazelet, R.N.), and the frigate Black Swan (Captain A. D. H. Jay, D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N.), were ordered to proceed up river to her assistance. The attempt was made on 21 April but so severe was the fire from the Communist-held shore batteries that the anticipated rescue had to be abandoned. Just how severe may be gleaned from the resultant casualties, namely 15 killed and 17 wounded in the London, in addition to 12 wounded in Black Swan; both ships suffered severe damage to their superstructure.

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Sold for
£800