Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An inter-War ‘Naval Review’ M.B.E. group of nine awarded to Engineer Lieutenant E. S. Stribley, Royal Navy, who was killed in action during the evacuation from Dunkirk

The Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) 2nd type breast badge; 1914-15 Star (271973, E. S. Stribley, E.R.A.3, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (271973 E. S. Stribley. C.E.R.A.2 R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45; Coronation 1937; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue with fixed suspension (271973 E. S. Stribley. C.E.R.A.2 H.M.S. Hood) very fine or better (9) £500-£700

M.B.E. London Gazette 3 June 1937: ‘For services during the Naval Review at Spithead during the ceremonies attendant to the Coronation of King George VI.’

Ernest Stanley Stribley entered the Royal Navy as a Boy Artificer and progressed through the rates during the Great War to Chief Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class. He was appointed Warrant Engineer in October 1923; Commissioned Engineer in October 1933; and Lieutenant (E) in August 1938. Between the Wars he served aboard H.M.S. Bruce on the China Station, H.M.S. Penzance on the Red Sea Patrol, and with the Home Fleet on Sabre and Stronghold.

In August 1939, Stribley was appointed to the destroyer Havant and served in that ship during her short career on operations to Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and finally four successful trips from Dunkirk to Dover, full of troops. He was killed in action on 1 June 1940 when Havant was attacked by German dive bombers. Commander Burnell-Nugent later wrote: ‘…we got sunk on the 5th trip. June 1st was the last day of the evacuation and I think only one or two destroyers made trips after we were sunk. Lieut (E) E. S. Stribley was the Engineer Officer of the ship and I knew him well. He was killed instantly - literally blown to pieces - when a bomb from a German dive bomber hit above the engine room. I personally saw his body - or what was left of him. Badly damaged in the attack, Havant was finally sunk by gunfire from H.M.S. Saltash, as the ship was by then a total loss.’

Sold with named Admiralty condolence slip (Lieutenant (E) Ernest Stanley Stribley. M.B.E. R.N.), case of issue for M.B.E., and a letter from his commanding officer giving the above quoted details of his death.