Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

A Second War M.B.E. group of eleven awarded to temporary Acting Chief Boom Skipper J. Evans, Royal Naval Reserve, late Royal Navy, who was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the French Croix de Guerre for his seamanship in the construction of an artificial harbour off the Normandy coast, June 1944; he had previously been awarded a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Vellum for saving the life of a seven year old boy at Bangor in 1917 The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1914-15 Star (J.18166. J. Evans, A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.18166. J. Evans. A.B. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (J.18166 J. Evans. L.S. H.M.S. Lucia.); France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre, bronze, reverse dated 1939-1945, mounted court-style for wear, the Great War trio heavily polished, therefore fair to fine, the rest good very fine and better (11) £500-£700 --- M.B.E. London Gazette 2 June 1943. M.I.D. London Gazette 28 November 1944. The original Recommendation states: ‘Barbain was outstandingly the best Boom Defence Vessel in the group, reflecting great credit on her Commanding Officer. Mr Evans displayed at all times zeal, initiative and excellent seamanlike qualities, and a thoroughly well organised ship.’ Croix de Guerre un-Gazetted. The original Recommendation states: ‘During the construction of an artificial harbour off the assault beach, coast of France, commencing 7 June 1944, Barbain was outstandingly the best Boom Defence Vessel in the group, reflecting great credit on her Commanding Officer. Mr Evans displayed at all times zeal, initiative and excellent seamanlike qualities, and a thoroughly well organised ship.’ John Evans was born in Swansea on 27 January 1897 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class in H.M.S. Ganges on 4 June 1912. He served during the Great War initially in H.M.S. Berwick, which captured the SS Spreewald in August 1914, and then in H.M. Ships Defiance and Vivid. He was promoted Able Seaman on 22 April 1915, and Leading Seaman on 30 March 1924, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 28 January 1931. Shore discharge, he subsequently joined the Royal Naval Reserve, and served during the Second World War as a Temporary Acting Chief Boom Skipper, commanding the Boom Defence Vessel Barbain during the Normandy landings. Evans was additionally awarded a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Vellum for saving the life of Benjamin Jones, a seven year old boy, who had fallen from the pier pontoon into deep water at Bangor on 22 August 1917 (R.H.S. Case no. 43,777). Sold with a duplicate Royal Humane Society Certificate .