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Auction: 22133 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 994

Six: Lieutenant-Commander A. J. V. Clarke, Royal Navy, Fleet Air Arm, who saw service on as an R.N.A.S. Observer for the bulk of the war culminating in a position as Air Staff Officer on the Merchant Aircraft Carrier Ancylus

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, all privately engraved 'A. J. V. Clarke. R.N.', mounted as worn, very fine (6)

Albert John Verdun Clarke was born on 25 February 1916 at Blackwood, Monmouthshire and served with the Merchant Navy prior to the war. Here he entered as Second Mate on 20 July 1936, he undertook the Merchant Navy Defence Course in September 1938 and began to qualify as a Pilot in May 1939 at R.N.A.S. Ford.

Still there on the outbreak of war he was transferred to R.N.A.S. Bermuda later in 1939 to complete his training before being posted to H.M.S. Ocean in early 1940. At this time it was stationed at Bermuda and was still with them when they joined the Mediterranean Fleet in June 1940. Clarke's logbook shows an attempt to dive bomb a U-boat on 7 June 1940 and later that month a flight spotting for the British fleet at the bombardment of Bardia. Orion was present for the Battle of Calabria on 9 July 1940, however Clarke's logbook doesn't show any flying time during the battle suggesting that the Fairly Seafox was not used at the action.

Leaving Orion Clarke joined H.M.S. Eagle on 10 August 1940. He flew a number of missions with her most notably in November when he was engaged in attacking Italian shipping and submarines with torpedoes with No. 824 Squadron. Clarke shared in the sinking of the German blockade runner M.V. Elbe on 6 June 1941 and later spent time search for the Windhoek though it was not found. Regular sweeps for German and Italian Ships took the carrier through the coast of Africa and into the Atlantic although little was found. Posted to H.M.N.Z.S. Leander in early 1942 when that ship was stationed in the Pacific. Patrol throughout May 1942 proved successful if dangerous work with notes in Clarke's logbook referring to 45 minute duels with submarines and surface craft. Patrolling off Guadalcanal in September 1942 Clarke transferred to R.N.Z.A.F. Hobsonville on 15 November.

Returning to sea on 19 February 1943 after service at Hobsonville Clarke was appointed Air Staff Officer with 772 Squadron aboard the Merchant Aircraft Carrier Ancylus. He sailed with this vessel from its launch until 22 August 1945 when he became Air Staff Officer with H.M.S. Nabthorpe.

Clarke was the rest of the war out ashore, later serving as Operations Officer at the R.N.A.S. station at Eglinton on 5 May 1947. Promoted Lieutenant-Commander on 17 June 1949 he remained in the Royal Naval Air Service until 1954. Returning to the Merchant Navy he became Master of his own vessel on 21 July 1969 but retired later that year on 23 September 1969.

Sold together the following archive of original material comprising:

(i)
Flying Log books.

(ii)
Statements of service aboard various ships.

(iii)
Copied and original photographs.

(iv)
Merchant Navy Service Records.

(v)
Merchant Navy Master's Certificate.

(vi)
Merchant Navy Certificate of Discharge.

(vii)
R.N.A.S. and Merchant Navy armbands, pins, shoulder flashes and buttons.

(viii)
A Lifeboat Efficiency guide.

(ix)
Several maps.

(x)
Corresponding dress miniatures and riband bars.

(xi)
The recipient's original document of Commission.

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Sold for
£450

Starting price
£100