Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Scarce Post-War Minesweeping B.E.M. awarded to Leading Stoker Mechanic W. G. Reynolds, Royal Navy

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 2nd issue (Ldg. Sto. Mech. William G. Reynolds, D/KX 90842) in Royal Mint case of issue, extremely fine £200-£240

B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1949:
‘In recognition of Operational Minesweeping service since the end of the War.’

William George Reynolds served during the Second World War and also post-War, being awarded the Naval General Service Medal 1915-62 with clasps ‘Minesweeping 1945-51’ (for which service he was awarded the B.E.M. for minesweeping work on H.M.S. Sylvia) and ‘Bomb & Mine Clearance Mediterranean’, the latter a very rare clasp which was issued in very small numbers for hazardous work in the Mediterranean.

Note: This B.E.M. is believed to be an official replacement that reflects the recipient’s correct rank of Leading Stoker Mechanic, as opposed to "L.S." (for Leading Stoker) which appeared on his originally-issued B.E.M. It was most likely sent to him once he had left the Royal Navy and hence was not swapped with the original one mounted in his group of medals. His full group of seven medals, with the erroneously named B.E.M. sold in these rooms in September 2004.