Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas

The posthumous Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea group of four awarded to 16 year old Ordinary Seaman S. Anderson, who, although wounded, refused to leave his post at the ship’s gun, and was killed when it took a direct hit from the shellfire of an Italian submarine in January 1941

Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea (Ordinary Seaman Stanley Anderson, S.S. “Shakespear”, 5th January 1941); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted for display, edge nicks, otherwise good very fine and better (4) £2,000-£2,400

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

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Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea Lloyd’s List and Shipping Gazette 30 July 1941:

‘An enemy submarine opened fire at 6000 yards and the ship replied, her shells falling close to the submarine. After a spirited encounter lasting nearly two hours a shell from the submarine put the ship’s gun out of action and killed three of the crew. Fire was raging in the bridgehouse and holds and much damage was done to the ship. The master gave orders to abandon ship and the submarine continued firing until the vessel sank. Third Officer Jones [who was awarded the G.M.] was in charge of the gun’s crew and was wounded in the head and chest, but continued to use the gun until it was hit. Great courage and coolness was also shown by a boy of 16, Ordinary Seaman Anderson, who was on his first voyage. Though wounded early in the action he refused to leave his post at the gun and was killed when it was hit.’

King’s Commendation (Posthumous) London Gazette 9 July 1941.

The S.S. Shakespear was part of Convoy OB262, bound from Liverpool for North America, when engaged by the Italian submarine Cappellini.

A Dictionary of Disasters at Sea states:

‘The steamship Shakespear fought a protracted duel with an Italian submarine off Senegal, West Africa, on Monday 5 January 1941. The vessel, which carried a crew of 40 and two gunners, was armed with one small gun aft. With this she contrived to keep the submarine at bay for over two hours, refusing to surrender until her gun had been knocked out and 18 of her crew and both gunners killed. The survivors, including the captain, took to the boats and the Shakespear was then sunk by gunfire. The commander of the submarine, Lieutenant-Commander Salvatore Todaro, took the boats in tow until they came in sight of land and treated the survivors in a most humane manner. The losses on the submarine were two killed and several wounded.’