Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part II)

Seven: Ship’s Master H. Williams, Merchant Navy, late Royal Naval Reserve

British War and Victory Medals (Lieut., R.N.[R.]); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, the first two with erased ‘R.’ for Reserve, generally good very fine (7) £80-100

Harold Williams, who was born in Croydon in August 1885, qualified as a 2nd Mate in the Mercantile Marine in July 1906, was advanced to 1st Mate in July 1912 and to Master in September 1915. He was, however, also commissioned into the Royal Naval Reserve, attaining the rank of Temporary Acting Lieutenant in August 1917. Demobbed in February 1919, Williams returned to the Merchant Service and served as Master of the S.S. Strathaird from August 1941 until July 1945, a period that witnessed him winning entitlement to the above described campaign awards (official Board of Trade records refer).