Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: First Radio Officer P. J. Darwin, Mercantile Marine, who was Commended for Brave Conduct when the S.S. Fort Norman was attacked by enemy U-boat 596 on route to Algiers, 9 March 1943

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted for wear, and housed in a hinged wooden and glazed display case, very fine (lot) £280-£340

King’s Commendation for Brave Conduct London Gazette 4 April 1944:
‘Those named below have been Commended for brave conduct when their ships encountered enemy ships, submarines, aircraft or mines.’

Philip John Darwin was born in London in February 1919, the son of Philip E. Darwin. He resided at 93 Powerscroft Road, Clapton Park, London, E5. Darwin joined the Merchant Navy as a Radio Officer in November 1939, and served throughout the War, including with the S.S. Fort Norman from 7 January to 17 August 1943. During this time, Fort Norman took part in convoy KMS-10, travelling between Faslane to Algiers. She suffered damage from a torpedo fired by the German U-boat 596 on 9 March 1943. It was for this action that Darwin received his Commendation. He was discharged from the Merchant Navy on 25 October 1946.

Sold with the following related documents: Commendation for Brave Conduct Certificate, dated 4 April 1944, this framed and glazed with a portrait photograph of recipient in Merchant Navy uniform; Continuous Certificate of Discharge; Certificate of Proficiency in Radiotelegraphy issued by the Postmaster-General, Second Class, dated 11 Ocotber 1939; Ministry of Transport campaign medal enclosure; Letter of congratulation from the Director General, Ministry of War Transport, dated 3 April 1944; Letter of congratulation from the Deputy Managing Director of The Marconi International Marine Communication Company Limited, dated 7 April 1944; Certificate of Discharge from Merchant Navy Service; Campaign Medal Enclosure from the General Register and Record Office of Shipping and Seamen, dated 6 December 1946, and other ephemera.

For the recipient’s father’s medals, see Lot 102.