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Auction: 19002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 166

The poignant group of four to Stoker 1st Class W. Oliphant, Royal Navy, who was killed in action during the St. Nazaire Raid on 28 March 1942 - the 'Greatest Raid of All'

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, extremely fine, each Medal contained in its original brown paper wrapper, in card box of issue addressed to 'John Oliphant, 19, Kemp Place, Glenogle, Edinburgh 4', with copy Admiralty condolence slip (4)


William Oliphant was born at Edinburgh in 1918, the son of John and Agnes Oliphant. He trained at the shore establishment H.M.S. Royal Arthur, in Class 39. Posted to the motor launch H.M.M.L. 267, he took part in the St. Nazaire Raid on 28 March 1942. Codenamed 'Operation Chariot', this raid aimed to destroy the old Normandie dry dock, thus denying it to German warships such as the Tirpitz and Bismarck. Part of the 20th Motor Launch flotilla, Oliphant's vessel transported a party of Commandos to the docks. Most of the Motor Launches were sunk by German gunfire, and Oliphant was killed in action. Of the 611 men who undertook the raid, 228 returned to Britain, 169 were killed and 215 became prisoners of war. Five Victoria Crosses were awarded on this famous occasion. Oliphant is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 68, Column 3; sold with Commonwealth War Graves certificate and an annotated photograph of Oliphant among fellow ratings of Class 39, H.M.S. Royal Arthur.

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Sold for
£1,100