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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 603

The campaign group of five awarded to Stoker Petty Officer F. Hadfield, Royal Navy, who was aboard the Kipling which came to the rescue of the survivors from the downed Kelly and Kashmir; despite continuous dive bombing by they fished out some 279 officers and men, including Lord Louis Mountbatten

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France & Germany; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R, 1st issue (KX. 79300 F.Hadfield S.P.O. H.M.S. Resource), very fine (5)

Fred Hadfield was born at Blackburn on 22 November 1906 and was a bleach works labourer when he enlisted in the Royal Navy. He serving initially aboard Repulse as Stoker 2nd Class on 1 January 1929. Advancement and other vessels followed until 20 December 1939 when Hadfield joined Kipling and was confirmed in the rate of Stoker Petty Officer on 1 August 1939. She was named after the author and poet Rudyard Kipling, was laid down by Yarrow, Scotstoun on 20 October 1937, launched on 19 January 1939, by Kipling's daughter, and commissioned on 12 December 1939.

On 11 October 1940, Kipling, along with another six destroyers, escorted the battleship Renown to bombard the French port of Cherbourg.

At dawn on 23 May 1941, Kelly and Kashmir were retiring at full speed round the west of Crete. After surviving two heavy air attacks they were overtaken at 0755hrs by a formation of twenty-four dive-bombers. Both ships were quickly sunk, with a loss of 210 lives. Fortunately, the destroyer Kipling was nearby, and, despite continuous bombing, rescued from the sea 279 officers and men, including Lord Louis Mountbatten, while she herself remained unscathed. Next morning, while still fifty miles away from Alexandria, and crowded from stem to stern with men, she ran completely out of fuel, but was safely met and towed in. It should be noted that the actons of the Kellly inspired the fictional Torrin and Captain Kinross (Mountbatten), portrayed by Noel Coward, in the movie In Which We Serve.

Fortunately for Hadfield he was removed and was serving on Resource when Kipling was herself destroyed on 11 May 1942.

Hadfield was pensioned ashore on 26 June 1950 having received his L.S. & G.C. Medal on 8 September 1943; sold together with copy service record and Second World War Medal and clasp entitlement certificate.


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Sold for
£140

Starting price
£110