Medals from the Collection of the Late Eric Smith (Part II)

Eight: Air Mechanic 1st Class M. Parker, Fleet Air Arm

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue (FX. 80217 M. Parker, A. Mech. 1, H.M.S. Peregrine); together with a related Royal Lifesaving Society bronze award, named and dated, and the recipient’s original Certificate of Service, extremely fine (8) £140-160

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the late Eric Smith.

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Mark Parker was born in Yorkshire in June 1919 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in March 1935. Rated as an Air Mechanic (A.) by the renewal of hostilities in September 1940, he served in the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Eagle from October 1939 until March 1941, when he was present at Calabria, and at the R.N. Air Station Grebe at Dekheila, near Alexandria between March 1941 and January 1942, shortly after which he was advanced to Acting Petty Officer Air Mechanic (A.). In common with other members of the Fleet Air Arm, Parker went on to receive a wide assortment of postings, among them appointments at the Yeovilton R.N. Air Station Heron from October 1942 until June 1943, and in the escort carrier Striker from October 1943 until July 1944, in which latter period his ship served in the Arctic and off Norway. Returning to Grebe in July 1944, he also served at Takali on Malta prior to the end of hostilities, latterly in the rate of Chief Petty Officer Air Mechanic (A.). Having then been awarded the L.S. & G.C. Medal in June 1952, Parker was pensioned ashore as an Air Mechanic 1st Class in September 1958.