Description
Falklands War, South Atlantic Medal, 1982, with rosette, to Gerald Nolan, Financial Controller on the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 (G. J. Nolan); together with dress miniature and official letter of notification; a brooch-mounted set of dress miniatures of Nolan's World War II service medals, 1939-45, Atlantic, with rosette, Pacific and Italy Stars and War Medal; modern Operation Overlord / D-Day Medal. Extremely fine, scarce.
As Financial Controller Gerald Nolan (22/09/1923 - 17/11/2002) was a senior serving officer on the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2, and had served on the ship since her launch on the Clyde, having worked for Cunard for most of his life, following Naval service during World War II, which included the D-Day landings.
The RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 sailed for the South Atlantic on the 12th May 1982 with a volunteer crew of 650 under the command of Captain Peter Jackson and carried some 3000 soldiers of the Fifth Brigade. The ship had been rapidly refitted with three helicopter pads and painted a pale grey (except for the red Cunard funnel). Internally there were dormitories in the lounges, the carpets covered with plywood and a network of pipes were fitted for re-fuelling at sea. The troops were disembarked on the 27th May and survivors from HMS Ardent were taken on board and she departed within 24 hours. On her return on the 11th June she was greeted in Southampton Water by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, on board the Royal Yacht Britannia. Captain Jackson's response to her welcome was, "Please convey to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, our thanks for her kind message. Cunard's Queen Elizabeth 2 is proud to have been of service to Her Majesty's Forces". On the 2nd December the Queen Mother attended a ceremony on board and unveiled a commemorative plaque. Of 2000 medals to the Merchant Marine, 650 were to the crew of the RMS Queen Elizabeth 2.