Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas

The rare post-War Bomb and Mine Clearance B.E.M. group of seven awarded to Leading Seaman W. G. Reynolds, Royal Navy, Mediterranean Fleet Clearance Diving Team


British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (D/KX.90842 W. G. Reynolds L.S., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Naval General Service 1915-62, 2 clasps, Minesweeping 1945-51, B. & M. Clearance Mediterranean (D/KX.90842 W. G. Reynolds. B.E.M., L.S.M., R.N.) good very fine and better, the last clasp extremely rare (7) £3,000-£4,000

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

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B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1949; ‘In recognition of Operational Minesweeping service since the end of the War.’

Seedies roll confirms William George Reynolds was serving aboard H.M.S. Sylvia while clearing mines in the Mediterranean.

Approximately 60 ‘B. & M. Clearance Mediterranean’ clasps issued to men of the Fleet Clearance Diving Team and men of the seaman branch employed in the removal of recovered bombs and mines. The clasp was awarded for six months’ consecutive work in the disposal of bombs and mines during the period of 1 January 1953 to 31 December 1960. The majority of the work centred around Malta and, in particular, the main harbour of Valletta where large quantities of bombs were recovered from a number of merchant vessels that had been sunk by air attack during the Second War, such as the motor vessels Talbot and Pampas.

A replacement B.E.M. G.VI.R 2nd issue is known to have been issued to this recipient.