The Ron Penhall Collection

The Second World War North Russia convoy operations O.B.E., Soviet Order of the Red Star group of six awarded to Chief Engineer Officer J. Mummery, Merchant Navy, who displayed great courage when his ship was bombed and set on fire by enemy aircraft off the Kola Inlet in July 1943

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45; Soviet Order of the Red Star, silver and enamel,the reverse officially numbered ‘364373’, complete with screw-back fitment, extremely fine (6) £1200-1500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Ron Penhall Collection.

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O.B.E. London Gazette 29 August 1944. The original recommendation states:

‘The ship has now returned from North Russia after a lengthy stay. She was attacked and heavily bombed by enemy aircraft which resulted in serious damage, and she subsequently caught fire. The ship was laden with timber at the time, and the fire reached such proportions that she had to be beached and flooded. Chief Engineer Officer Mummery ably assisted the Master in fire-fighting operations, the fire was subdued, the vessel refloated and temporarily repaired, thus enabling her return home. Throughout, Chief Engineer Officer Mummery displayed high qualities of courage, resource and seamanship.’

Soviet Order of the Red Star London Gazette 11 April 1944. The original recommendation states:

‘Mr. Mummery served as Chief Engineer Officer in the Llandaff in North Russian waters for a considerable period. He was outstanding when the vessel was set on fire by enemy aircraft. Fire-fighting was continued for three days, but the vessel had to be beached and flooded.’

One of just over 21 such awards to British personnel for the 1939-45 War, six of them to members of the Merchant Navy.

James Mummery, who was born at Goole, Yorkshire in March 1891, qualified for his Mercantile Marine 2nd class certificate in April 1917, his 1st class certificate in June 1921, and was appointed an Engineer in May 1922. He does not, however, appear to have qualified for any 1914-18 campaign awards.

In the 1939-45 War, he was among many Merchant seamen to find themselves “stranded” in the ports of North Russia following the suspension of further convoys in the summer of 1943, in his case aboard the Llandaff. It was a frustrating period that prompted the men to refer to themselves as the “The Forgotten Convoy”, and, more seriously, a period of great danger - for enemy aircraft were constantly on the prowl. So it was on 24 July 1943, when the Llnadaff was bombed 20 miles north-east of Kildin Island off the entrance to the Kola Inlet:

‘Bomb entered after main hatch through top sheer, port side. Vessel’s side blown out, deck set up, mast buckled and apparently extensive damage between decks and possibly No. 4-5 bulkhead. Cargo set on fire. Pipes in engine room and tunnel fractured. Derrick blown overside and cargo winch destroyed. Further report will be furnished when full extent of damage is known’ (Captain’s report refers).

Notwithstanding this serious damage, the Llandaff safely reached Loch Ewe in convoy RA. 54B in December 1943. Mummery, whose Soviet Red Star was supplied to the British authorities on 21 March 1944, remained in the Merchant Navy until 1960.

Sold with original letters from the Director-General, Ministry of War Transport, notifying the recipient of his award of the B.E.M., dated 28 August 1944; the Foreign Office notifying him that he had been granted permission to wear the Soviet Order of the Red Star, dated 17 April 1944; General Register and Record Office of Shipping and Seaman, Cardiff, communication, dated 19 May 1947, confirming the recipient’s entitlement to the above described campaign awards; and two Russian banknotes.