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Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 136

(x) A complete and poignant Korean War campaign group of four awarded to Able Seaman C. Skelton, Royal Navy, who was killed in action and posthumously 'mentioned' for his gallant service aboard Cockade whilst manning his gun in her night action of 30 November 1951 - aged just 20

Korea 1950-53, with two M.I.D. emblems (D/SSX. 836037 C. Skelton A.B. R.N.), mounted with the reverse on display as worn by the family; U.N. Korea 1950-54; Korea, Republic, War Service Medal, in its box of issue; Elizabeth Cross (AB C Skelton RN SSX 836037), silver, hallmarks to reverse, in its fitted case of issue, with corresponding miniature lapel pin, in outer named card box of issue, overall nearly extremely fine (4)

Provenance:
Spink, 21 July 2022, Lot 111.

M.I.D. (Posthumous) London Gazette 3 October 1952.

Clifford Skelton was born at Belfast on 31 August 1931 and had been working as a shop assistant upon joining the Royal Navy on 7 May 1947 as a Boy 2nd Class. He joined Impregnable on 14 June 1947 and was advanced Boy 1st Class on 25 October 1947. By the outbreak of the Korean War, Skelton was an Able Seaman and he joined the books of H.M.S. Cockade on 1 August 1951. Cockade was a C-class destroyer of 1,885 tonnes that was launched on 1 March 1944 and commissioned on 29 September 1945. She was operating out of Hong Kong as part of the 8th Destroyer Flotilla and saw much service during the Korean War.

She had already engaged the enemy with gunfire and assisted on operations by the time that Skelton went into action in late 1951, he having 'passed professionally' to become a Leading Seaman on 4 August. On the night of 30 November-1 December, Cockade was covering the evacuation of troops from the South Korean-held island of Taehwa-do on the Pansong Archipelago. She was suddenly and unexpectedly struck by fire from the gun batteries at Ka Do, west coast of Korea, which smashed into Y-gun turret, costing the life of Skelton, who was just 20.

The Skipper of Cockade penned a letter for his family the day after his death:

'You will have now heard of the tragic death of your son Clifford, the night before last.

It is on these occasions that a Commanding Officer usually sits down to pen a lot of sympathetic remarks to parents after much hard thought.

This time it is a difficult matter. Your son's death in action was a real blow, not only to you, but to us all. Why is it that the Great God takes such young and innocent lives, leaving...old...like myself to live on?

In writing to offer my heartfelt condolences of us all, I am giving you a few details of the catastrophe as I am sure you will want to know.

H.M.S. Cockade was in action from 10.30pm on 30th November until 3am the next morning. We were engaging several light craft in shallow waters and in the dark. I cannot give you the reason for the action, but I can say it was essential. By our...[section missing]...Our Surgeon was on the spot in a matter of seconds, but he re-assured me that Clifford could not have known a thing about it...[section missing]...articles of a private nature & these will be sent on to you. The remainder of his uniform and clothing will be sold by Auction tomorrow. This may sound callous to you, but it is in fact one of the ways in which the British sailor shows his respect for a dead messmate. The proceeds will reach you in due course.

I need not tell you how deeply I feel for you in the terrible loss. Do, please, write to me at any time if you feel I can be of service to you. Commander J. Kimpton R.N. H.M.S. Cockade [Signed]'

Skelton lost his life instantly when a shell which struck his turret passed directly through him, missed all his shipmates, and then ricocheted into the sea. He was buried at sea with full Naval honours at 1226hrs on 1 December 1951.

Sold together with the following archive of original material:

(i)
His waxed cloth Certificate of Service.

(ii)
The rather distressed letter from his CO.

(iii)
Leading Seaman's Examination Certificate.

(iv)
A selection of original photographs of Skelton in training, service and his burial at sea.

(v)
Various cloth Badges and cap tally.

(vi)
Related Cockade reunion photographs and menu cards, besides other material.

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

Estimate
£1,400 to £1,800

Starting price
£1200