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Auction: 22103 - Orders, Decorations and Medals VII - e-Auction
Lot: 599

The explosion occurred while some of the men were cleaning a gun. Fire immediately followed despite prompt measures by the remaining members of the crew who worked heroically to recover the injured. Assistance was procured from the shore and three doctors were taken out to the vessel.
Meanwhile arrangements had been made on shore for docking the ship and the mobile medical unit was in attendance together with a strong contingent of the N.F.S.

Three: Able Seaman S. A. Hansen, Merchant Navy, a Danish national who was killed in the destruction of the S.S. Soburg off Barry

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named slip of issue and named and addressed O.H.M.S. box of issue, minor contact wear, very fine (3)

Svend Aage Hansen was born at Holsted on 21 February 1920. He served aboard the Danish Steamer Soburg out of Glasgow and was aboard on 6 April 1942 was an ammunition explosion resulted in a fire aboard. In order to preserve the remaining ammunition and prevent a much larger explosion the Captain made for shore and Cardiff firefighters went aboard to try and stem the blaze. A three hour battle with the flames ensued which resulted in Section-leader Walter Stark being awarded the B.E.M. for his bravery. Also present was Leading-Seaman Norman Bigood O.B.E., later Chief Fire Officer of Cardiff. The flames were eventually stifled but not before six Danish and two British seamen lost their lives. Hansen was amongst those killed and is commemorated at Barry (Merthyr Dyfan) Burial Ground where the Danish Ambassador Count E. Reventlow unveiled a memorial headstone for the six Danish nationals; sold together with original photographs of the recipient's memorial and copied research including Commonwealth War Graves details, Medal rolls and an extract from the Soburg's log as well as extracts from the Barry and District News and Western Mail & South Wales News.

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Sold for
£85

Starting price
£60