The medals awarded to Chief Petty Officer Frederick Guy Veal are included in the Charterhouse two day specialist auction of coins, medals, stamps toys and collector’s items at their Sherborne Salerooms on the 20th & 21st August.

“Chief Petty Officer Veal was a West Country lad with family from Bridgwater and Davenport who lad a long career in the Royal Navy and even survived the sinking of his ship in 1941.” Commented Richard Bromell.

The group of eight medals awarded Chief Petty Officer F G Veal chart his long service in the Royal Navy both before and during the Second World War.

He was serving on the battleship HMS Prince of Wales in the Far East on 10th December 1941, just two days after Pearl Harbour, when it came under attack from Japanese bombers and torpedo planes. Having been torpedoed and hit by a 1,100 lb bomb the order was given to abandon ship was given at 13.15 and HMS Prince of Wales sank just 5 minutes later with the loss of 327 crew from a compliment of 1,612.

Accompanying the medal group is a framed montage of the ten ships Veal served on and a telegram addressed to CPO Veal’s wife, sent 5 days after the sinking of HMS Prince of Wales, letting her know her husband had survived the sinking which would no doubt have been a huge relief after days of not knowing whether he survived or not.

Richard Bromell and the team at Charterhouse, The Long Street Salerooms, Sherborne are available for valuations on single items, collections and complete house contents on 01935 812277 or via rb@charterhouse-auction.com

The medals awarded to Chief Petty Officer Frederick Guy Veal in the Charterhouse two day auction 20th & 21st August £250-350