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Auction: 19003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 204

(x) Family group:

Four: Leading Stoker W. H. R. Rhodes, Royal Fleet Reserve, late Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (K. 16623, W. H. R. Rhodes, Sto.1. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (K. 16623 W. H. R. Rhodes. Sto.1. R.N.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (K. 16623 (CH. B. 14757) W. H. R. Rhodes. L.Sto. R.F.R.), good very fine

Five: Flight Sergeant C. G. Rhodes, Royal Air Force, who was killed in action on a mission to bomb the Ploiesti oil refineries, as part of the campaign to deny petroleum-based fuel to the Axis following Operation 'Tidal Wave'

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, unnamed as issued, in waxed paper packets of issue, together with O.H.M.S. box of issue addressed to 'W. H. R. Rhodes, Esq., "Kemble", 10 Selsdon Park Road, South Croydon, Surrey.', condolence slip in the name of 'Flight Sergeant C. G. Rhodes.', and medal entitlement slip to '1167735 F/Sgt Rhodes', nearly extremely fine

Four: Warrant Officer W. F. Rhodes, Royal Air Force

1939-45 Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, unnamed as issued, in waxed paper packets of issue, together with O.H.M.S. box of issue addressed to 'W. F. Rhodes Esq., 155 Addington Road, Selsdon, Surrey', and part entitlement slip '1335083 W/O', extremely fine (13)

William Henry Reuben Rhodes was born on 7 July 1892 at Croydon, Surrey, the son of William Edward Rhodes, a blacksmith of 34 Siddons Road, Croydon. A fitters mate by trade, he joined the Royal Navy on 9 October 1912 and served aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Martin from 15 November 1915-3 March 1916. Promoted Acting Stoker aboard Newcastle in December 1916, later Leading Stoker, he joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 6 February 1920. Having moved to Selsdon Park Road, Addingdon, Surrey, Rhodes worked as a general engineer and died on 17 March 1950, his wife May Elizabeth living a further 30 years.

Cecil George Rhodes was born on 28 May 1920 at Croydon, Surrey, and educated at Archbishop Tennison School. In 1939 he lived at 'Cooralie', London Road, Bagshot and worked as a clerk, later joining the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve in 1942. On the night of 6-7 May 1944 Rhodes was killed on a bombing mission to the Ploiesti oil refinery, Bucharest whilst serving as a Wireless Operator and Air Gunner in Liberator EW341 of No.178 Squadron. He is buried in the Church of St. Nicholai, Gardestri, Teleorman, Romania, his effects totalling £331 14s. 3d. being bequeathed to his father.

William Frosdick Rhodes was born on 10 August 1921 at Croydon, Surrey, and lived in 1939 at 16 Jarvis Road, South Croydon. He joined the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve on 11 September 1941, serving as Navigator with No. 684 Squadron in Ceylon from 1944-45. He was later posted to the Photo Reconnaissance Development Unit in India, being demobilised on 20 April 1946. Returning to live at 21 Farnborough Crescent, Croydon, Rhodes died on 9 June 2012 at Croydon; sold with copied research.


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Sold for
£420

Starting price
£170