Three: Stoker 1st Class J. Kay, Royal Navy, who was killed in action when H.M.S. Exeter was struck by a shell during the Battle of the Java Sea, 27 February 1942, the first Royal Navy casualties of the Pacific Theatre

1939-45 Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Admiralty enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mr. James Kay, 161 Rochdale Road, Bury, Lancashire’, nearly extremely fine (3) £140-180

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Second World War Casualties.

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James Kay served during the Second World War as a Stoker 1st Class in the York-class heavy cruiser H.M.S. Exeter, that had fought against the German pocket battleship Graf Spee at the Battle of the River Plate in 1939. After an extensive re-fit she was sent to the East Indies and took part in the Battle of the Java Sea. On 27 February 1942 she was damaged in the battle when she received an 8-inch shell hit to the boiler room, which killed fourteen crew, the first Royal Navy casualties of the Pacific Theatre. After putting in at Surabaya, she was attempting to reach the Sunda Strait when she was intercepted on 1 March by the Japanese heavy cruisers Nachi, Haguro, Myoko, and Ashigara; and the destroyers Akebono, Inazuma, Yamakaze, and Kawakaze. The Second Battle of the Java Sea ensued, and Exeter was soon badly damaged by gunfire, one hit causing the loss of all power to the ship. Scuttling charges were set and she soon began sinking, finished off by two torpedoes fired from the destroyer Inazuma. Approximately 800 Allied sailors, including Exeter’s commanding officer, Captain Oliver Gordon, were picked up by the Japanese and became prisoners of war.

Kay was amongst those killed in the initial explosion. He is buried in Jakata War Cemetery, Indonesia. His medals were sent to his father James Kay.