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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 597

(x) A sinking of the S.S. West Wales casualty's group of three awarded to Chief Officer J. McIntosh, Merchant Navy who died when the vessel was tragically torpedoed on 29 January 1941

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, sold together with slip of issue named in pen as common for the Navy, good very fine (3)

John McIntosh was born at Port St Mary, Rushen, Isle of Man in 1892, the son of Neil Angus and Elizabeth McIntosh. His father was a Lighthouse Keeper and moved the family to Orkey such that by 1901 they were living at Ness Roads Lighthouse Station. The younger McIntosh however did not follow his father into this profession, instead preferring the life of a Merchant Seaman.

To this end he achieved his certificate of competency as First Mate on 2 July 1915. He may as such have seen Great War service although there is no immediate evidence for this. What is certain is that by the outbreak of the Second World War McIntosh was serving as Chief Officer on the S.S. West Wales out of Cardiff.

This vessel formed part of Convoy SC-19 making the run between Canada and Liverpool. The convoy was targeted by a wolfpack from the 7th U-boat Flotilla on 29 January 1941 while still in the Atlantic. Their escort of nine warships proved unable to protect them and the convoy scattered with several being picked off as a result.

West Wales was one of those that straggled behind and at 06.18 she was torpedoed amidships by U-94. Fortunately for the crew a destroyer minding the slower ships swept in to hammer the U-boat with fire and force her to dive. Many of the survivors were then taken off however McIntosh was not among them, though whether he died in the initial attack or the subsequent sinking is unclear.

He is commemorated upon the Tower Hill Memorial, London; sold together with copied research including census data and Commonwealth War Graves certificate.

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

Sold for
£100

Starting price
£100