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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 530

(x) Eight: Able Seaman H. C. Park, Royal Navy, who survived the loss of the Breconshire during a Malta run in 1942

British War and Victory Medals (J.83711 H. C. Park. Ord. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Imperial Service Medal, E.R.II. (Henry Charles Park); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (J. 83711 [Ch. B. 21580] H. C. Park. A.B. R.F.R.); recently remounted for wear, minor wear, overall very fine (8)

Henry Charles Park was born at Tottenham, London on 18 September 1900 and worked as a Machinist prior to enlisting with the Royal Navy on 9 June 1918. Posted first to the training establishment Impregnable I he joined Temeraire on 27 March 1918, reaching his majority with her on 18 September 1918. This vessel was part of the British force which occupied Constantinople after the end of the Great War and later operated in the Black Sea in support of White Russian Forces.

Between the wars Park was to serve with a number of vessels including the armed trawler Thomas Jervis, Vimiera and Royal Oak. He joined the Royal Fleet Reserve on 5 June 1930 and was still in service there on the outbreak of the Second World War.

Mobilised on 24 August 1939 as Able Seaman Park was posted first to Delhi before going ashore on 31 January 1940. His next posting was the trawler Breconshire, which had been taken over by the Royal Navy and pressed into service transporting fuel.

She was to feature heavily during the Siege of Malta, making frequent runs to and from the island. During Operation MG 1, Breconshire joined convoy MW 10 making its way from Alexandria to Malta. Intercepted by an Italian Fleet in what became the Second Battle of Sirte on 22 March 1942 the Convoy was delayed by the fighting. While they were able to halt the Italian attack, constant assaults by air soon took their toll. Breconshire was hit by a bomb and taken under tow, managing to reach Marsaxlokk Harbour on 25 March. She was a sitting duck in the harbour however and was sung by German bombs the next day.

Park survived the desperate fighting, although there is no record of where he went after the Breconshire sank. He was demobilised from Pembroke on 13 September 1945; sold together with copied service papers.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£200

Starting price
£100