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Auction: 23113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 627

The Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C. awarded to Able Seaman G. W. Courts, Royal Fleet Reserve, who was one of the survivors of Princess Victoria, which struck a German mine at the entrance to the Humber Estuary on 19 May 1940

Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R. (J.113402 (CH, D.111.) G. W. Courts. A.B. R.F.R.), extremely fine

George William Courts was born in Sheringham, Norfolk on 24 May 1908, prior to service he was a Labourer. He entered the Royal Navy as Boy 2nd Class aboard Impregnable on 25 March 1925. Rated Ordinary Seaman at Ganges on 24 May 1926, he joined Emperor of India on 3 December 1926, Tiger August 1927 where he was rated Able Seaman 1 June 1928. Continuing to serve ashore and afloat he was discharged on 16 June 1937 on completion of his first engagement and joined Chatham Royal Fleet Reserve.

He was mobilised on 31 August 1939 and joined Pembroke I and subsequently joined Royal Arthur on 15 September 1939, Princess Victoria on 2 November 1939 and survived the sinking of this ship on 16 May 1940, Pembroke I 20 May 1940, Shropshire on 12 July 1940, Pembroke 6 April 1943, Marlborough 24 April 1943, Pembroke 30 July 1943, Saker 28 August 1943, Gardiner 21 October 1943, Pembroke 11 April 1945, Cyclops 23 June 1945. He was advanced to Leading Seaman on 9 June 1944 and Acting Petty Officer 28 January 1945 and was released from service on 24 October 1945.

Princess Victoria was built as the first stern loading cross channel ferry, after two months service was requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to a Mine Layer. After laying a minefield off the Dutch coast she struck a German mine on the voyage home at the entrance to the Humber Estuary on 19 May 1940 and sank, 36 crew were lost and 85 rescued. During her short service she had laid 2,756 mines.

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