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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 644

A 1942 Mediterranean D.S.M. group of nine awarded to Petty Officer J. R. Bulgen, Royal Navy - who was likely decorated for services on convoys to the besieged island of Malta

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (J.16650 J. R. Bulgen. P.O.); 1914-15 Star (J.16650. J. R. Bulgen, A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.16650 J. R. Bulgen. A.B. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (J.16650 J. R. Bulgen. P.O. H.M.S. Thracian.); Marine Society Reward of Merit, silver (John R. Bulgen 4. March 1919), contact marks and wear to Great War awards, good fine, the first good very fine (9)

D.S.M. London Gazette 20 October 1942.

John Richard Bulgen was born on 24 August 1895 at Croydon, Surrey, and enlisted at Chatham for the Royal Navy on 24 August 1913. Serving as Boy 1st class at the shore establishment Ganges, Bulgen was posted to the armoured cruiser Donegal from 3 October 1912-9 January 1913. Promoted Ordinary Seaman, he served aboard Acorn from 6 June 1915-13 July 1917, which was then part of the 5th Destroyer Flotilla of the Mediterranean Fleet and stationed at Malta.

Following the cessation of hostilities, Bulgen served aboard a wide variety of ships and shore bases including the sloop Snapdragon, the light cruiser Curlew and the destroyer Tumult. Appointed Petty Officer aboard the latter, he was awarded the L.S. & G.C. on 28 October 1928. He continued to serve throughout the 1930s and was pensioned on 6 September 1935 following two months aboard the super-dreadnought Ramillies.

Recalled for service on 24 August 1939, Bulgen was sent to President III at Bristol which was re-established to train those allocated for service on Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships (D.E.M.S.). He was later awarded the D.S.M. whilst serving aboard the M.V. Ajax - believed for heaving an unexploded shell overboard during the Malta convoys - the Medal being presented at an Investiture held at Buckingham Palace on 30 March 1943. Released Class 'A' on 14 August 1945, Bulgen likely returned home to his wife Jessie at Plaistow.


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Sold for
£950

Starting price
£420