Medals from the Collection of the late Eric Smith

Three: Cook Allison Ross, Merchant Navy, who was killed in action in the S.S. Black Osprey in February 1941

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, with original Minister of Transport condolence slip in the name of ‘Allison Ross’, extremely fine (3) £80-100

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of the late Eric Smith.

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Allison Ross was killed in action on 18 February 1941, while serving as a Cook in the S.S. Black Osprey. Bound from Halifax to Newport in convoy HX. 107, the ship fell behind as a result of engine trouble, and when her funnel subsequently caught fire, she was spotted by the U-96 - torpedoed and sunk, 25 of her original complement of 36 were killed. John Patterson, an Able Seaman in Black Osprey, was awarded the B.E.M. and Lloyd’s Bravery Medal on the same occasion, while U-96’s captain, Heinrich Lehmann-Willenbrock was awarded the Knight’s Cross at the end of the same month - to which he added Oak Leaves before the War’s end. Ross had no known grave and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial.