A Collection of Medals to Second World War Casualties

Five: Steward R. G. Quigley, Royal Navy, killed in action following Operation Torch- the invasion of North Africa- when H.M.S. Avenger was torpedoed by the German U-boat U-155 off the Western Straits of Gibraltar with the loss of over 500 Officers and crew on 15 November 1942- the heaviest Naval loss connected with the North African landings

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star; War Medal 1939-45, with named Admiralty enclosure, in card box of issue, addressed to ‘Mrs. Margaret Weir, 14 Cross Street, Galston, Ayrshire, Scotland’, extremely fine (5) £100-140

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals to Second World War Casualties.

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Roland Gilmore Quigley served during the Second World War in the escort carrier H.M.S. Avenger, and took part in Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. On 14 November 1942 Avenger left Algiers harbour with the convoy MFK 1, heading home for the Clyde. At 3:05 a.m. the following morning she was torpedoed off the Western Straits of Gibraltar by the German U-boat U-155 under the command of Adolf Piening. Hit on the port side amidships, which in turn ignited her bomb room, her centre was blown away, and her bow and stern sections rose in the air. She sank in two minutes, leaving only 12 survivors, with the loss of 67 officers and 438 ratings, the heaviest British naval loss connected with the North African landings.

Quigley was amongst those killed, aged 20. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Medals issued to the recipient’s sister, Margaret Weir, née Quigley.