A WW2 naval hero’s medal group including the coveted Distinguished Service Medal are to appear at auction on 27th April. The Distinguished Service Medal was awarded to Petty Officers and ratings of the Royal Navy, (amongst others) for acts of bravery in the face of the enemy.
The group of seven medals were awarded to Petty Officer William Allanson. Allanson was born in Islington London on 16th November 1919. He enlisted as a boy in 1934 spending most of his war service in submarines. At the outbreak of WW2 he was serving with the China submarine Flotilla of the far eastern fleet on H.M Submarine Rainbow. He also served amongst others H.M. Submarine Phoenix, Perseus, Tetrach, Rorqual and Sickle. He was mentioned in the London Gazette supplement 27th July 1943 for the part he played in the hazardous and successful patrol of H.M. Submarine Sickle in the Mediterranean. On the 12th June 1944 Acting Chief Petty Officer Allanson was in hospital recuperating from injuries when Sickle was presumed sunk by mines in the Antikithera Channel with no survivors.
The group includes photocopies of service, original documentation confirming the DSM and attending the presentation of medals at Buckingham Palace. A photograph album shows many of the submarines in which he served. He was invalided out of service 1st November 1945.
Discovered on a valuation day when the local vendor brought them in, the group carries a £1,200-1,500 estimate at Richard Winterton’s Collectors Sale on 27th April. Free medal valuation days are held at the Lichfield Auction Centre on Tuesdays from 10am to 12midday. Phone 01543 251081 for further information.
www.richardwinterton.co.uk