Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Fireman, Trimmer and Donkeyman J. H. Cumberbatch, Merchant Navy

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Near East (J. H. Cumberbatch), extremely fine (5) £160-180

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Awards to Merchant Seamen and D.E.M.S. Gunners.

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Joseph Henry Cumberbatch, who was born in Trinidad in April 1903, was actively employed in the 1939-45 War, including service off North Africa in the Empire Cabot and Empire Nerissa, appointments that also gained him entitlement to the ‘North Africa 1942-43’ clasp. But he did not apply for his campaign awards until November 1958, in which year he was awarded the Naval General Service Medal for his services in the Rivercrest during operations in the Near East in August-December 1956. He finally came ashore in January 1969; sold with original Ministry of Transport letter regarding his Naval General Service Medal, dated 13 August 1958, and the registered envelope in which it was sent to him at Liverpool, together with a file of research.