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Auction: 26001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 148

(x) Six: Sub-Lieutenant R. A. Main, South African Naval Forces, who earned a scarce Volunteer Reserve L.S. & G.C.

1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Africa Service Medal 1939-45, all officially named '68485 R. A. Main'; Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, G.VI.R. (T/S/Lt. R. A. Main S.A.N.F. (V), mounted for wear, good very fine (6)

Roydon Alfred Main was born in Bird's River, Dordrecht District, South Africa on 27 July 1907, son of Alfred and Beatrice Main. Joining the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve from 14 December 1923 Main served as Ordinary Seaman, later Able Seaman, service number 3146 on board H.M.S. Wallflower. This was a recommissioned minesweeping sloop stationed at Simonstown for operations on the Africa Station. Main left the Royal Naval Reserve on 14 December 1927.

The outbreak of war saw him returning to service, enlisting with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (War Reserve South Africa) as Able Seaman on 10 February 1940. Simultaneously, he briefly served in the Union of South Africa Defence Force from 24 June-5 October 1940 as Corporal with the service number 41720, with the Instructional Corps at the S.A. Military College, Voortrekkerhoogte.

On 15 January 1941, he transferred from the War Reserve to Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve South African Division as Able Seaman with the Service Number 68485. He served ashore in South Africa for some time before being ordered to H.M.S. Lanka, the shore base at Ceylon in December 1941. From there he joined the Harbour Defence Motor Launch, H.D.M.L. 1098, also called Insizwa on 15 December. She served between Ceylon and South Africa, largely conducting anti-submarine patrols, at this time Main was appointed Leading Seaman on 20 August 1942.

Going back ashore in January 1943 he served with Assegai and Good Hope before being commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on 20 August 1943, serving with the Royal Navy. Returning to the South African Naval Forces on 11 July 1945 he was posted to Sonneblom. Later transferring to H.M.S.A.S. Cedarberg on 17 July both were anti-submarine vessels. Main joined the Reserve of Officers on 6 September 1945 he was released from service on 31 October 1945.

Settling back in South Africa Main died there in South Africa on 19 March 1963, he is listed on the Wall of Remembrance at Cambridge Cemetery and Crematorium, East London, Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa; sold together with copied service papers.

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

Estimate
£300 to £500

Starting price
£240