Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas (Part I)

The Mercantile Marine B.E.M. group of six awarded to Mr Rowland Goldman, Quartermaster in the S.S. Makalla when she was sunk by enemy action in August 1940

British Empire Medal (Civil) E.II.R. (Rowland Goldman); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45, together with commemorative medal issued by Thos. & Jno. Brocklebank Ltd., Liverpool, to the crew of the S.S. Makalla which was sunk by enemy action on 24 August 1940, silver and enamels, this last with damage to enamel, otherwise extremely fine and rare (7) £600-£800

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 14 June 1969: ‘Mr Rowland Goldman, Quartermaster, S.S. “Makrana”.’ The Cunard Brocklebank letter of congratulation states:

‘Your record since you joined the Company on the 11 Oct 1937 has been completely unblemished and you were serving as quartermaster in the ‘Makalla’ when in 1940 she was sunk by enemy action. This is a wonderful record and one of which you may justly feel very proud.’

Rowland Goldman served with the shipping company, Thos. & Jno. Brocklebank Limited, from 11 October 1937. He was Quartermaster aboard the S.S. Makalla when, on 24th August 1940, she was sunk by enemy aircraft soon after commencing her voyage from London to Calcutta with a general cargo of 2500 tons. The Makalla was a Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship armed with one 12-pounder, one 4.7 inch gun and a Hotchkiss gun, and carried a compliment of 87 officers and crew, including one naval gunner.

The lot is sold with the following original documentation: Award letter from Thos. & Jno. Brocklebank Ltd. (29 October 1940) for their commemorative medal; Award letter from Downing Street for the B.E.M. (10 June 1969); Letter of congratulations from Cunard Brocklebank (20 June 1969); Two Board of Trade letters regarding the investiture; named Buckingham Palace forwarding letter for the B.E.M.; and a copy of the report submitted by Captain A. S. Bain, Master of the S.S. Makalla.