Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas

The Second War and post-War bomb and mine clearance operations O.B.E. group of six awarded to Lieutenant-Commander F. G. Gregory, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who dealt with over 40 UXBs within the Port of London authority

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Bomb & Mine Clearance 1945-53, E.II.R., 1st issue (Lt. Cdr. F. G. Gregory. O.B.E. R.N.V.R.) mounted for display, extremely fine (6) £2,400-£2,800

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas.

View
Collection

Alan Hall Collection, June 2000.

Approximately 145 Naval General Service Medals, or clasps, were issued for six months’ consecutive work in bomb and mine disposal duties in different parts of the world. The Medal was issued with three obverse types, viz. G.VI.R., 2nd issue, and E.II.R., 1st and 2nd issues.

O.B.E. London Gazette 13 October 1944: ‘For gallantry devotion to duty.’

The original recommendation states:

‘During the last three years, Lieutenant-Commander F. G. Greogry, R.N.V.R., has been the officer attached to the Port of London for Bomb Disposal duties. During that period he, assisted by Lieutenant R. G. Peacock, R.N.V.R., has disposed of over 40 enemy bombs, including several of 1,000 kg. weight. Many of the operations have involved lengthy and hazardous pit sinking in order that recovery might be affected, and the bombs, by reason of their age and partially corroded condition, had, at all times, to be regarded as being dangerous condition.’

Information held in ADM 1/30159 reveals a number of devices dealt with by Gregory in the period leading up to August 1944, most of them UXBs discovered around St. Katherine, Millwall, Surrey Commercial, Royal Victoria and the West Indies Docks. But he dealt with devices elsewhere, at Barnes, Beckton gas works and, in January 1944, at Hammersmith Bridge, where the bomb had come to a rest 20 feet below the tow path: ‘In spite if an enormous ingress of water, the bomb was successfully recovered and removed for disposal.’

Frank Gordon Gregory joined the Sussex Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in January 1937 and was commissioned as a Sub. Lieutenant on graduating from the Hove training establishment King Alfred shortly after the outbreak of war. Having then served in small craft in home waters, including the armed yachts Aarla and Amalfi, he volunteered in November 1941 for duty outside the Admiralty in the Department of the Director of Unexploded Bomb Disposal.

Gregory remained likewise employed until December 1945, an unusually long tour of duty for bomb and mine disposal operations, a tour rewarded by his promotion to Lieutenant-Commander in July 1943 and the O.B.E. in October 1944. He received the latter distinction from the King at Buckingham Palace in October 1945, following his services as ‘a Bomb Safety Officer for Rendering Mines Safe’ in port clearance duties with Naval Party 1137 in Germany in the period April-September 1945.

Gregory transferred to the London Division of the R.N.V.R. on being demobilised at the end of 1945 and, having been granted a special extension from the Admiral Commanding Reserves, remained actively employed until 1961, when aged 60. In that period, he attended assorted refresher courses, including a month-long attachment from Vernon to the Headquarters of the R.E. Bomb Disposal Unit U.K. in 1953. And, as cited by accompanying research, ‘he was on a number of occasions called upon by military and police authorities to render safe unexploded bombs and land mines that were unearthed during site clearance and building work in and around London.’