Five: 2nd Officer C. Ingham, Merchant Navy, who was taken P.O.W. when the tanker Lustrous was sunk by the Scharnhorst in February 1941 - he was subsequently mentioned in despatches for his time in captivity

British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals 1914-18 (Cecil Ingham); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, good very fine and better (5) £150-200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to Merchant Seamen and D.E.M.S. Gunners.

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Cecil Ingham, who was born in Liverpool in June 1902, first witnessed active service as a Cadet in the Mercantile Marine during the Great War. Having remained similarly employed between the Wars, and gained his 2nd Mate’s certificate, he was serving in the tanker Lustrous by early 1941.

Departing London in February of that year, the Lustrous proceeded to Loch Ewe where she joined a westbound convoy. However, owing to reports of the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau being in the vicinity of Newfoundland, the convoy was dispersed, shortly after which, on the 22nd, no less than five merchantmen were sent to the bottom by the enemy battle cruisers. Lustrous, who was en route to Curacao in ballast, was the fourth victim, falling to the Scharnhorst, but she was the luckiest victim in view of the fact all of her crew were picked up and taken prisoner.

In common with other Merchant Navy P.O.Ws, Ingham was incarcerated at Milag und Nord, and he was mentioned in despatches ‘for services as a P.O.W. in Germany in May 1945’ (London Gazette 20 November 1945 refers). Interestingly, too, official records refer to the fact he was awarded a 20% disability allowance; sold with a file of research.