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

Six: Chief Engine Room Artificer J. Blaylock, Royal Navy

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (MX. 47950 J. Blaylock, C.E.R.A., H.M.S. Gambia), mounted as worn, minor official correction to rate, generally good very fine (6) £100-120

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

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John Blaylock was born in Portsmouth in July 1914 and entered the Royal Navy as an Engine Room Artificer Apprentice in December 1929. Based at the shore establishment Drake on the renewal of hostilities in September 1939, he joined the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Illustrious in April 1940, in which capacity he remained employed until briefly returning to Drake in May 1943 - a period that witnessed him sharing in her Battle Honours for Mediterranean 1940-41, Malta Convoys 1941 and Diego Suarez 1942. In the following month, he joined the minelayer Ariadne as an Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class, and remained in her until the War’s end, latterly in the rate of Temporary C.E.R.A.

Awarded his L.S. & G.C. in October 1947, while serving in the cruiser Gambia, Blaylock was finally pensioned ashore from an appointment in the Merseyside “Wavy Navy” in March 1960; sold with the recipient’s original Certificate of Service, together with a coloured photograph of the Illustrious, and several photocopied pages taken from a photograph album, including a portrait image in uniform.