Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Seven: Lieutenant J. Shearer, Royal Naval Reserve and Mercantile Marine

1914-15 Star (Lieut, J. Shearer, R.N.R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (Lieut. J. Shearer. R.N.R.); Mercantile Marine War Medal 1914-18 (John Shearer); Victory Medal 1914-19 (Lieut. J. Shearer. R.N.R.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, nearly very fine and better (7) £100-£140

John Shearer was born in Ardrossan on 25 September 1888. A Steamship Master, he joined the Royal Naval Reserve in the summer of 1915 and was appointed Temporary Sub Lieutenant on 4 September 1915; Temporary Acting Lieutenant on 8 November 1915; and Temporary Lieutenant on 4 September 1917. His Service Record notes him as ‘level headed, quite up to av: mercantile deck officer, tactful, knows his work’. He served on a number of vessels during the Great War, but struggled with hyperthyroidism and was discharged in early 1920, returning home to Ardrossan to convalesce.

His health regained, Shearer spent the next 20 years plying the world’s oceans with the merchant fleet. Returned to service during the Second World War, he died on 2 October 1940 whilst aboard the S.S. Beverdale.

Sold with an original Ministry of Transport Campaign Stars, Clasps and Medals slip, named to the recipient, confirming WW2 entitlement, together with extensive copied research including an image of Shearer.