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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 292A

The campaign group of four awarded to Able Seaman R. C. Coleman, Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Reserve, who was Commended for Bravery and Coolness in Parachute Mine Disposal during the London Blitz and into 1941 - he was twice put forward for formal recognition for his bravery whilst working alongside Lieutenant H. R. Newgass, who won the George Cross for his part

British War Medal 1914-20 (J.27863 R. C. Coleman. A.B., R.N.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (J.27863 (Po.B.16304) R. C. Coleman A.B. R.F.R.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with 'Commendation' oak leaves, contact marks and slack suspension to the first, therefore good fine, the remainder better (2)

Commended for his ‘bravery and coolness’ London Gazette 9 June 1942 - Seedie’s records that this was for Mine Disposal. Coleman had already been put forward for the British Empire Medal (Military) for his work with Mine Disposal.

Robert Charles Coleman was born in Rainford, Essex, on 26 July 1896 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 29 October 1913. Advanced Able Seaman on 26 April 1915, he served throughout the Great War in a variety of ships and shore based establishments, including H.M.S. Royalist from 19 March 1915-30 September 1916, and Druid from 23 December 1916-31 July 1917. He was shore discharged on 25 July 1926, and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve the following day.

Recalled for service during the Second World War, he served the L.1. Mine Disposal Unit from 1 October 1940-25 August 1941 and was responsible in giving '...valuable help in the disposal of no less than seventeen mines...there should be a strong case for a B.E.M.'

He indeed assisted Lieutenant Harold Newgass - the recipient of a George Cross for similar work - in the operation of an unexploded parachute mine near Joyce Green Hospital, Dartford from 20 March 1941. The mine was buried some 24ft into wet, boggy ground and together with Newgass and Driver Groves, Coleman '...showed great courage, energy and cheerfulness' over several days, which resulted in the team deciding to counter-mine it. Coleman found his name twice put forward for higher laurels, for his work with Newgass, and was present in another action when a '...bomb fuze exploded as it was pulled clear of the mine on which he was working'; sold together with copied research and Recommendations.

The George Cross group to Newgass is held by the Imperial War Museum.

The Imperial War Museum also hold image HU 58432 which shows:

'A member of a team of conscientious objectors serving with a Royal Engineers Bomb Disposal Squad, and a Naval rating of Lieutenant Commander Newgass' Admiralty RMS (Rendering Mines Safe) Team, digging a hole to reach a mine found buried in the grounds of an isolation hospital at Dartford.'

That Naval rating is almost certainly Coleman, in the process of winning his Commendation.

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Sold for
£650

Starting price
£140