Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘Arctic Convoy’ B.E.M. awarded to Petty Officer C. E. Searle, Royal Navy, a veteran of the Battle of Jutland

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (P.O. Charles E. Searle P/J.20278 R.N.) minor edge bruise, good very fine £300-£400

B.E.M. London Gazette 27 July 1943:
‘For bravery and devotion to duty in the face of the enemy, while serving in a defensively armed Merchant Vessel.’

Charles Edward Searle was born in Hastings, Sussex, on 28 October 1898, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 28 February 1914. He served during the Great War in H.M.S. Caroline, and was present in her at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916. Advanced Able Seaman on 25 October 1918, he was shore pensioned in this rate on 3 November 1938.

Recalled for service during the Second World War, Searle served as a temporary acting Petty Officer in the defensively armed British Cargo Tramp S.S. Dan-y-Bryn, and was awarded the British Empire Medal ‘for services in North Russian Convoy JW52 in January 1943, and returning in March 1943’ (Seedie’s Merchant Navy List refers). The Dan-y-Bryn ‘had had various adventures before her voyages to Murmansk and Archangel. She shot part of the wing from a Heinkel in the North Sea early in 1940, fought a six-hour battle with a submarine in the Caribbean the same year, and scored hits on a surface raider on the way home from Vancouver. During her voyages to Russia she shot down 18 enemy aircraft.’ (Merchantmen at War refers).

Sold with copied research, including a copy of the Dan-y-Bryn’s official Log Book for Convoy JW52.