Catalogue Auction Information

Fine Militaria Auction (19) 15/07/20 10:30 AM Closed

Starts Ending 15/07/20 10:30 AM BST

Auction Info
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Lot 25George VI Regular Army Long Service Good Conduct Medal Awarded to Serjeant Sidney Charles Royal Engineers Who Was Taken Prisoner of War at the Fall of Hong Kong and Killed When Being Transported to Japan on the SS Lisbon Maru which was Sunk by US Submarine USS Grouper in 1942

George VI Regular Army Long Service Good Conduct Medal Awarded to Serjeant Sidney Charles Royal Engineers Who Was Taken Prisoner of War at the Fall of Hong Kong and Killed When Being Transported to Japan on the SS Lisbon Maru which was Sunk by US Submarine USS Grouper in 1942
George VI Regular Army Long Service Good Conduct Medal Awarded to Serjeant Sidney Charles Royal Engineers Who Was Taken Prisoner of War at the Fall of Hong Kong and Killed When Being Transported to Japan on the SS Lisbon Maru which was Sunk by US Submarine USS Grouper in 1942, George VI Army Long Service Good Conduct medal with Regular Army bar, named in the correct style to “1862399 SJT S CHARLES R.E.” The medal is housed in its original forwarding box. Accompanying the medal is photocopied research and a copy of the book “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru – Britain’s Forgotten Wartime Tragedy” by Tony Banham. Sidney Charles was born on 13th April 1900 in Gillingham, Kent. His civilian trade is listed as Shipwright. He enlisted in the Royal Engineers in at Chatham on 9th June 1922. He served with various units of the Royal Engineers before being posted to 40th Fortress Company Royal Engineers in Hong Kong. He was reported missing and prisoner of war of the Japanese on Christmas day 1941. Charles along with 1,815 other British and Canadian prisoners, taken at the fall of Hong Kong were loaded onto the transport ship SS Lisbon Maru, and was on its way to Japan when it was attacked and sunk by the US Submarine USS Grouper with the loss of over 800 passengers, it was stated that some prisoners were shot by Japanese soldiers as they tried to escape the sinking ship. The Japanese did not mark the ship detailing that Prisoners of War were being transported so allied submarines had no clue as to the cargo on board. The book accompanying this medal details the event, it tells the story of many of the prisoners struggles with the Japanese soldiers who had no intention in trying to help them at first, it states that Sidney Charles was one of those men who managed to escape the ship but was eventually overcome by the water, “As Royal Engineer Sergeant Sidney Charles, born in Gillingham Kent on 13th April 1900, drifted away from his companions, he must have eventually realised that he would never see his wife, Alice, whom he had married in 1931, and son, David again.” Categories: Medals
Estimate:
Lot closed - Winning bid:£620 (14 bids)
Estimate: £400 - £600

 

  • George VI Regular Army Long Service Good Conduct Medal Awarded to Serjeant Sidney Charles Royal Engineers Who Was Taken Prisoner of War at the Fall of Hong Kong and Killed When Being Transported to Japan on the SS Lisbon Maru which was Sunk by US Submarin
  • George VI Regular Army Long Service Good Conduct Medal Awarded to Serjeant Sidney Charles Royal Engineers Who Was Taken Prisoner of War at the Fall of Hong Kong and Killed When Being Transported to Japan on the SS Lisbon Maru which was Sunk by US Submarin - 2
  • George VI Regular Army Long Service Good Conduct Medal Awarded to Serjeant Sidney Charles Royal Engineers Who Was Taken Prisoner of War at the Fall of Hong Kong and Killed When Being Transported to Japan on the SS Lisbon Maru which was Sunk by US Submarin - 3
  • George VI Regular Army Long Service Good Conduct Medal Awarded to Serjeant Sidney Charles Royal Engineers Who Was Taken Prisoner of War at the Fall of Hong Kong and Killed When Being Transported to Japan on the SS Lisbon Maru which was Sunk by US Submarin - 4
  • George VI Regular Army Long Service Good Conduct Medal Awarded to Serjeant Sidney Charles Royal Engineers Who Was Taken Prisoner of War at the Fall of Hong Kong and Killed When Being Transported to Japan on the SS Lisbon Maru which was Sunk by US Submarin - 5
  • George VI Regular Army Long Service Good Conduct Medal Awarded to Serjeant Sidney Charles Royal Engineers Who Was Taken Prisoner of War at the Fall of Hong Kong and Killed When Being Transported to Japan on the SS Lisbon Maru which was Sunk by US Submarin - 6
  • George VI Regular Army Long Service Good Conduct Medal Awarded to Serjeant Sidney Charles Royal Engineers Who Was Taken Prisoner of War at the Fall of Hong Kong and Killed When Being Transported to Japan on the SS Lisbon Maru which was Sunk by US Submarin - 7
  • George VI Regular Army Long Service Good Conduct Medal Awarded to Serjeant Sidney Charles Royal Engineers Who Was Taken Prisoner of War at the Fall of Hong Kong and Killed When Being Transported to Japan on the SS Lisbon Maru which was Sunk by US Submarin - 8
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