Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Able Seaman E. G. Kenton, Royal Navy, who was among those lost on the occasion of the sinking of the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Courageous in September 1939

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, in original addressed card forwarding box to ‘Mrs. R. J. Dommett, 29 Holmbury View, Upper Clapton, London E.5’, together with Admiralty condolence slip in the name of ‘Eric Granville Kenton’, extremely fine (3) £140-160

Struck by two torpedoes from the U-29 south-west of Ireland on 17 September 1939, the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Courageous went down in about 20 minutes, taking with her 518 officers and ratings out of her original complement of 1200 men - Hitler was at Wilhelmshaven to personally congratulate and decorate the U-29’s crew on their return.

Eric Granville Kenton was 37 years of age, has no known grave, and is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. As verified by an accompanying ‘Residue of Naval Assets’ letter, dated 7 December 1939, the Admiralty’s Inspector of Wills approved the claim made by Kenton’s sister, Mrs. R. J. Drommett of Upper Clapton, London, to his assets, a claim no doubt approved by their parents, William and Jennie Kenton.