The John Goddard Collection of Important Naval Medals and Nelson Letters

The South Atlantic medal awarded to Submariner (SSM) M. Rigg, who served in H.M. Submarine Splendid during the Falklands War

South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (S (SSM) M Rigg D190965A HMS Splendid) mounted as worn, good very fine
£800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The John Goddard Collection of Important Naval Medals and Nelson Letters.

View
Collection

Provenance: Buckland Dix & Wood, June 1994.

S (SSM) is the abbreviation for Submariner (Sensors Submarines) in the Warfare Branch of the Submarine Service.

H.M.S. Splendid, a Swiftsure-class nuclear submarine, was one of the first submarines to reach the Falklands, arriving in mid-April 1982, after sailing from Faslane. Among other tasks, she shadowed the Argentine carrier 25 de Mayo, running within a mile outside the Argentine territorial line, just 12 miles off its Atlantic coast. With the approval of Downing Street to engage with her Mk. 8 torpedoes, her captain came very close indeed to attacking the enemy carrier, but he lost sight of his target through the periscope and was not immediately able to regain contact. Nonetheless, in company with her consorts the Conqueror and Courageous, she proved instrumental in keeping the Argentine Navy largely confined to port.