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Auction: 23001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 178

A Second World War group of five awarded to Petty Officer R. Bright, Royal Navy, who survived the loss of the cruiser H.M.S. Southampton to enemy aircraft south of Sicily in January 1941

He subsequently witnessed extensive service on the Arctic run and was awarded the C-in-C's commendation in 1945

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (JX. 125946 R. Bright, A.B., H.M.S. Cumberland), nearly extremely fine (5)

Richard Bright was born in Sunderland, Co. Durham, on 8 January 1910 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in January 1926.

By the outbreak of hostilities in September 1939, he was serving as an Able Seaman in the cruiser H.M.S. Southampton and he remained likewise employed until her loss; she had already suffered severe bomb damage off Norway in May 1940. Of events south of Sicily on 10 January 1941, The King's Cruisers, by Gordon Holman, takes up the story:

'It was to prove the Southampton's last see action. Whilst in the company with H.M.S. Gloucester, and about the time when the aircraft carrier Illustrious was fighting for her life against waves of Ju. 87s and 88s, twelve dive-bombers tore down out of the sun, and hits were scored on both cruisers. For an hour the Southampton struggled on, while her fire-fighting parties did their upmost to being an inferno in the ship under control. Fire raged in the engine-room, and one of the magazines was involved. The loss of the ship we could hardly afford; the loss of many trained personnel we could not afford at all. With the fires completely out of control, the C.-in-C. at last ordered the Southampton to be abandoned. Most of the crew were saved, being taken on board the cruiser Gloucester and the destroyer Diamond … '

In fact, 80 of Bright's shipmates were killed and many more wounded. And the blazing wreck of Southampton was finished off by our own torpedoes.

His next seagoing appointment was in the cruiser Cumberland from October 1941 until at least June 1943, in which period he witnessed extensive service on the Artic run. He was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in June 1942 and advanced to Petty Officer in June 1943.

As noted on his service record, Bright was also a recipient of a commendation from the C.-in-C. of the Home Fleet in July 1945. He was released 'Class A' at the end of the same year.

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Sold for
£130

Starting price
£80