A Second War 'North Atlantic Convoys' O.B.E. and Mentioned in Despatches group of ten...

A Second War ‘North Atlantic Convoys’ O.B.E. and Mentioned in Despatches group of ten awarded to Captain G. H. Griffiths, Royal Canadian Navy, late Royal Navy, who further distinguished himself in the rescue of 16 survivors of the merchant ship S.S. Capira, part of Allied convoy SC-97, after she had been torpedoed and sunk in the North Atlantic on 31 August 1942 The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E., (Military) Officer’s 2nd type, breast badge, silver-gilt, in Royal Mint case of issue; 1914-15 Star (Mid. G. H. Griffiths. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. G. H. Griffiths. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, with M.I.D. oak leaf, the last nine mounted as worn; together with the related miniature awards for the nine campaign medals (the 1914-15 Stat a 1914 Star, ands the Africa Star with rosette on riband but not the clasp), these mounted for wear on two pins (one for each War); and the recipient’s Royal Life Saving Society Proficiency Medal, bronze, reverse engraved ‘G. H. Griffiths Oct. 1913’, in case of issue, good very fine (11) £360-£440 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- O.B.E. London Gazette 12 June 1943. The original Recommendation states: ‘This retired Royal Navy Officer, who joined the Royal Canadian Navy on the outbreak of hostilities, has been in command of His Majesty’s Canadian corvettes in the North Atlantic for a considerable period, during which time his loyalty and enthusiasm have been an inspiration to those serving under him.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1943. The original Recommendation states: ‘Throughout his service in H.M.C. Corvettes in the North Atlantic, this officer has displayed outstanding zeal, leadership, and wholehearted devotion to duty.’ George Humphry Griffiths was born on 5 June 1896 and passed into the Royal Naval College Osborne as a Naval Cadet in May 1909. Appointed Midshipman in January 1914, he served during the Great War in a variety of ships and shore based establishments, most notably in H.M.S. Wistaria, H.M.S. Marne, and H.M.S. Temeraire, employed in the latter ship as assistant to the Torpedo Officer; serving in Temerarie in the Black Sea, Griffiths used his knowledge of German to translate the German signals and acted as an Interpreter whilst in South Russia. Promoted Sub-Lieutenant in January 1916, he was seriously injured at Constantinople in February 1919 when the ship’s cable parted whilst anchoring the ship and truck him on the right foot. Subsequently placed on the sick list, he was invalided out of the service and placed on the Retired List in June 1920. Emigrating to Nova Scotia, Canada, in order to take up farming in 1926, following the outbreak of the Second World War Griffiths was commissioned into the Royal Canadian Navy as a Lieutenant-Commander on 2 September 1939, and was posted to H.M.C. Dockyard, Halifax. He served during the Second World War afloat in the armed patrol ship H.M.C.S. Beaver from 17 March to 31 July 1941, and then as Acting Commander in H.M.C.S. Drumheller from 13 September 1941 to 15 October 1942, employed on the North Atlantic Convoys. On 31 August 1942 Griffiths and his crew rescued 16 survivors of the merchant ship S.S. Capira, part of Allied convoy SC-97, after the Capira had been torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine U-609. Promoted Commander on 19 October 1942, Griffiths next took command of H.M.C.S. Woodstock, and served with the North African and Mediterranean Convoys as part of Operation Torch. Mentioned in Despatches and appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire, Griffiths subsequently held various shore-based staff jobs, latterly as Captain and Chief of Staff, H.M.C.S. Avalon, before transferring to the Retired List with the rank of Captain on 4 March 1946. An active member in later life of the Royal Canadian Legion, he died in Nova Scotia in 1981, aged 85. Sold with the recipient’s original Record and Certificates of Service as Naval Cadet, Midshipman, and Acting Sub-Lieutenant; original paperwork relating to the issue of his M.I.D. oak leaf; card box of issue for his 1939-45 Star; two portrait photographs of the recipient; and a précis of his Naval service.