Orders, Decorations and Medals

Three: Temporary Midshipman M. H. P. Freeman, Royal Naval Reserve - serving on H.M.S. Hood, he was killed in action with the Bismarck in the battle of the Denmark Strait, 24 May 1941

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, these unnamed, extremely fine (3) £240-280

Temporary Midshipman Mark Hunter Parnell Freeman, R.N.R., serving on the battlecruiser H.M.S. Hood, was killed when his ship was destroyed in action with the German battleship Bismarck in the battle of the Denmark Strait, 24 May 1941. Aged 16 years at the time; he was the son of Charles Stephen Yorke Freeman and Elsie Freeman. Midshipman Freeman’s name is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial; Conway Chapel, Birkenhead Priory and Hood Chapel, Church of St. John the Baptist, Boldre, Hampshire. Prior to joining the Hood, he trained at H.M.S. Conway, 1938-40 and at H.M.S. King Alfred, early 1941.

The battle cruiser Hood, together with the battleship Prince of Wales were closing with the Bismarck and her cruiser consort, the Prinz Eugen, when the Hood was hit by shells from the Bismarck and exploded. Only three men of her compliment of 1,421 survived her catastrophic end.

Sold with named condolence slip ‘Temporary Midshipman Mark Hunter Parnell Freeman, R.N.R.’ Medals in forwarding box addressed to ‘Mrs Elsie Robson, 2 Parkholme, Meads Road, Eastbourne, Sussex.