Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 606

The Second Word War campaign and long service group of six awarded to Petty Officer Steward G. H. Morris, Royal Navy, who was present at the destruction of three U-Boats

Having opened his wartime career in H.M.S. Sikh in operations off Norway in 1940 - when she came under sustained enemy air attack - he removed to another destroyer, the Wrestler, and saw further action on the Malta run, not least in Operation "Pedestal"

He was also present in Wrestler at the destruction of the U-74 in May 1942 and the U-98 in November 1942, and added a third U-boat "kill" to his tally in the Wanderer in August 1943, when she destroyed the U-523

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (LX. 21066 G. H. Morris, P.O. Stwd., H.M.S. Bull), very fine and better (6)

George Henry Morris was born in Holborn, London on 9 August 1908 and entered the Royal Navy as an Officer's Steward 4th Class in October 1929.

Between January and June 1940, he served aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Sikh, including operations off Norway in which she came under sustained air attack at Nasmos and elsewhere.

His next seagoing appointment was in another destroyer - the Wrestler - from August 1941 until December 1942, in which period, under the command of Lieutenant R. W. B. Lacon, D.S.C., R.N., he witnessed action on the Malta run, not least as an escort in Operation "Pedestal".

Earlier, on 2 May 1942, with her consort Wishart, Wrestler accounted for the U-74 east of Cartagena. Wrestler used her Hedgehog mortar twice, in addition to carrying out two full pattern depth charge attacks, explosions being heard after both attacks. U-74 was lost with all hands.

And in mid-November 1942, a month before his transferral to the Wanderer, Morris was also present at the destruction of the U-98, west of Gibraltar. There were no survivors.

It was aboard the Wanderer that he was present at his third U-boat "kill", namely the destruction of the U-523 off Vigo, Spain on 28 August 1943, in company with the corvette Wallflower; on this occasion there were 37 survivors.

Morris's final wartime seagoing appointment was in the cruiser Caledon, from December 1943 until March 1944, following which he was employed at the Massewa naval base Bull until June 1945.

He was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in July 1944, while serving at the latter establishment, and finally came ashore in June 1953.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£110

Starting price
£80