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Auction: 6007 - Orders, Decorations, Campaign Medals & Militaria
Lot: 634

Naval General Service 1915-62, G.VI.R., one clasp, Yangtze 1949 (D/JX 836312 K.J. Morton. Boy. R.N.), extremely fine, in named card box of issue Estimate £ 800-1,000Kenneth John Morton (1931-2005); joined the Royal Navy at H.M.S. Ganges July 1947, subsequently serving aboard H.M.S. Norfolk, transferring to H.M.S. Amethyst 1.4.1949. He was serving aboard Amethyst as a Boy Seaman when the Chinese Communists fired on the ship on her way up the Yangtze to Nanking 20.4.1949, killing 19. Morton was one of 59 of the ship´s ratings who was subsequently evacuated, and after swimming across from Rose Island, where Amethyst lay aground, they made their way cross-country to Shanghai. On arrival Boy Seaman Morton was admitted to hospital with a complaint believed to have been contracted during his time in the water of the Yangtze river. He was subsequently repatriated to Hong Kong, rejoining the ship there after its famous escape down the Yangtze 30.7.1949. Back in London, Morton took part in the subsequent celebrations, marching through the streets of the capital, and attended the official dinner held at the Dorchester Hotel 16.11.1949. He retired from the Royal Navy 11.3.1957.

Sold for
£2,500