Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Petty Officer W. E. Gillman, Royal Navy, who was killed in action when H.M.S. Dido sustained heavy damage during a German air attack whilst conveying troops from Crete to Alexandria on 29 May 1941

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with named Admiralty enclosure, good very fine (4) £70-£90

William Frederick Gillman enlisted into the Royal Navy and served during the Second World War aboard the cruiser H.M.S. Dido. During the Fall of Crete in May 1941, Dido, along with other Royal Navy ships, sailed for Heraklion to evacuate as many British and Commonwealth soldiers from the island as possible. This resulted in the rescue of 4,000 servicemen. During the journey from Crete to Alexandria, five Royal Navy ships were sunk with another three being damaged by constant air attack from German aircraft. On 29 May 1941, Dido and H.M.S. Orion were attacked by a squadron of Ju-87 ‘Stuka’ dive bombers. Dido was severely damaged by a direct hit on one of its gun turrets, killing all twelve of the gun crew and leaving a further 15 sailors and 19 soldiers dead below decks. A further 10 sailors and 28 soldiers were also wounded. Gillman was among the sailors killed and he is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.