Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Master J. Meneely, Mercantile Marine, who attracted the wrath of a U-Boat commander on the occasion of the sinking of the S.S. Kilcoan in February 1915

British War and Mercantile Marine War Medals (James Meneely), in their Board of Trade envelopes, with related bullion / embroidered Torpedo Badge, Officer’s variety, in original envelope, good very fine and better (3) £100-120

James Meneely, who was born in Islandmagee, Co. Antrim in 1862, obtained his Master’s certificate in 1893. Employed by the Howdens, he was appointed to the command of the S.S. Kilcoan in 1906 and was similarly occupied at the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914.

On 30 January 1915, the Kilcoan was intercepted and stopped by the U-21, about 18 miles north-west of Liverpool, Meneely stating to the U-Boat’s commander that he had no ship’s papers. According to one contemporary newspaper report, the latter ‘became angry but calmed down when they were ultimately handed to him.’ The Kilcoan’s crew of eleven were then ordered into the ship’s lifeboats but declined an offer of some cigars and, after the Germans had undertaken a thorough search of the Kilcoan, she was sunk by an explosive charge. Meneely and his men eventually got back to Liverpool via Douglas. He died in Belfast in February 1943; sold with original certificates of authority to wear his Torpedo Badge and awards.