Printed from Woolley & Wallis

Description

The Second World War lifeboat M.B.E. group of eight medals to Maurice John Case, Merchant Navy: The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, civil division, member's breast badge (M.B.E.), second type; British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal (MID. M. J. CASE. R.N.R.); 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Pacific Star, Italy Star, War Medal 1939-45; mounted for wearing, good very fine, [8]; together with a manuscript report by the recipient of the sinking of S.S. Rhexenor on the 2rd February 1943; a book: Captain S.W. Rosskill, R.N., 'A Merchant Fleet in War 1939:1945'; a presentation silver-plated salver, 'PRESENTED TO CAPTAIN M. J. CASE. "HELENUS", FROM HIS FRIENDS AT GILCHRIST WATT AND SANDERSON PTY LTD SYDNEY 1960'; a cased pair of binoculars with this officer's name inside the lid; and a framed photograph of S.S. Helenus.

(36mm diameter of rond medals)

Sold in these rooms, with other items, lot 240, 28th October 2009

M.B.E. London Gazette 23/11/1943

Maurice John Case was born on the 20th January 1901, and served in the Great War as a Midshipman R.N.R. (seniority from 5th April 1917). On the 3rd February 1943 he was Chief Officer in S.S. Rhexanor (Captain Leonard Eccles) sailing alone between Durban and the UK. At 06:45 she was struck by a tordepo launched by German submarine U-217 (Kapitanleutnant Kurt Reichenback-Klinke). The Captain gave the order to abandon the stricken vessel, as the U-Boat sank her with gunfire. Case was in command of the third lifeboat, which he brought to safety after a voyage of seventeen days, being picked up in sight of land. The citation for his M.B.E. states that this happy outcome was "mainly due to his outstanding courage, skill and example."