Orders, Decorations and Medals

Five: Leading Seaman J.J. Phelan, Royal Navy1939-45 STAR; ATLANTIC STAR; WAR MEDAL; ROYAL NAVAL L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R. (J.106536 A/L.S., H.M.S. Gloucester); ROYAL HUMANE SOCIETY, Bronze Medal (Unsuccessful), (A.B., Royal Navy 19th Oct. 1931) sold with original R.H.S. Certificate, H.M.S. Resolution bronze prize medal (Boy, 2nd B.S. Boxing 1925) and original certificate of service, very fine (6)

John Joseph Phelan was awarded the R.H.S. bronze medal while serving aboard H.M.S. Vidette in the Firth of Forth: 'Man fell overboard whilst hoisting out target for gunnery practise. Wind 25 mph, sea choppy. Tulloch swam with a line 40 yds windward of man who sank. Phelan swam to man and tried to tow him to lifebuoy but had to let go. Bronze Medal (Unsuccessful) to both.' Phelan was discharged dead from H.M.S. Gloucester on 11 January, 1941.