Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Lieutenant P. J. Sparkes, Royal Navy

Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (D/SSX. 857022 P. J. Sparkes Tel. R.N.); U.N. Korea 1950-54; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Near East (D/JX. 857022 P. J. Sparkes. L. Tel. R.N.); General Service 1962-2007, 1 clasp, Malay Peninsula (S/Lt P J Sparkes RN); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.II.R., 2nd issue (A/Sub Lt P J Sparkes RN) mounted on board for display together with bullion R.N. badge and Submarine Service gilt and enamel badge, light contact marks, otherwise good very fine or better (5) £400-£500

This lot is to be sold as part of a special collection, A Fine Collection of Medals, the Property of a Lady.

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Phillip John Sparkes was born in Honiton, Devon, on 19 October 1932, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Telegraphist at St Vincent on 9 November 1948. Following further training at Ganges and Drake, he joined the cruiser Jamaica in February 1950 for service in Korea. He next served in the destroyer Cockade from December 1950, returning to Drake in September 1951, and then Lochinvar minesweeping school July 1953 to July 1954. Now rated A/Leading Telegraphist he passed through Drake briefly before joining the submarine base Dolphin in August 1954. In October 1959 he was posted to the submarine Sidon but had fortunately left the boat 4 days before Sidon sank in Portland Harbour, Dorset, on 16 June 1955, after an experimental hydrogen peroxide-powered torpedo catastrophically exploded inside the hull. The blast and subsequent flooding claimed the lives of 13 crew. Sparkes continued in submarines and saw service in Tudor and Trenchant, the latter in the Near East, before joining Seneschal in May 1957 as Acting P.O. Telegraphist. There followed several appointments to various land establishments including Drake and the signals school Mercury, January 1959 to January 1966, during which period he was advanced to Radio Operator 1, Leading R.O., and Radio Supervisor. He was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on 2 January 1966, and served aboard the coastal minesweeper Invermoriston in the Malay Peninsula later that year. He was promoted to Lieutenant in April 1971 and, following a stint at the R.N. Gunnery School Excellent, retired in 1974.

Sold with original Certificate of Service.