The Great War Albert Medal group of nine awarded to Leading Seaman C. D. Millar, Royal...

The Great War Albert Medal group of nine awarded to Leading Seaman C. D. Millar, Royal Navy, who was decorated for removing primers from depth charges in H.M. Motor Launch 483 when a fire broke out in June 1918 Albert Medal for Saving Life at Sea, 2nd Class, bronze and enamel, the reverse inscribed (Presented by His Majesty to Charles Davie Millar, Ldg. Sea., R.N., H.M.S. “P.C. 51”, in recognition of his Gallantry in removing primers from depth charges in H.M. Motor Launch No. 483 when a fire occurred on board on the 29th June 1918); 1914-15 Star (218811, C.D. Miller, A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (218811 C. D. Miller. L.S., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (218811 CH.B. 12974 C. D. Miller. L.S. R.F.R.) mounted as worn together with Messina Earthquake Medal 1908 to which he does not appear to be entitled, good very fine (10) £5,000-£7,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- A.M. London Gazette 9 October 1918: ‘On the 29 June 1918 an outbreak of fire occurred on board Motor Launch No. 483 whilst refuelling alongside the jetty at Pembroke Dock, the fire being caused by the ignition of an overflow of petrol from the hose. Leading Seaman Millar, H.M.S. PC. 51, who was walking up and down the forecastle of his ship, on seeing the flames break out on the upper deck of the motor launch, immediately slid over the bows of his craft on to the motor launch, rushed aft, and removed the primers of the depth charges. He then forced his way through the flames and kicked the hose overboard, getting his clothes ignited as he did so. Having extinguished his burning clothing by jumping overboard, he climbed inboard again and assisted in getting the motor launch in tow. This man displayed initiative and disregard of danger, and by his prompt action he probably averted a serious accident. Had the depth charges detonated, very great damage would have been done and lives undoubtedly lost.’ Charles Davie Millar was born in Dunfermline, Fife on 20 August 1886, and attended Inverkeithing school before entering the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in January 1902. An Able Seaman serving in the cruiser H.M.S. Euryalus by the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, he remained likewise employed until coming ashore in December 1916. In the interim, as flagship of Rear-Admiral Rosslyn Wemyss, Euryalus saw much action in the Dardanelles, not least in the landings at Cape Helles on 25 in April 1915. On that occasion, she transported three companies of the 1st Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers and a platoon of the Royal Naval Division. She also bombarded Turkish positions during the second battle of Krithia in early May 1915. Following his time in the Euryalus, Millar joined the patrol boat P.C. 51 in July 1917, and it was in that capacity that he was awarded his Albert Medal for boarding the blazing motor launch M.L. 483 at Pembroke Dock, Wales on 29 June 1918. Demobilised in March 1919, he found employment at Rosyth dockyard in the 1920s but thereafter little is known about him. He died at East Calder, West Lothian in 1970. Note: Albert Medal named ‘Millar’ as per London Gazette citation and record of service, all other medals named ‘Miller’ but with correct Official Number.