Description
A WW2 Convoy Casualty Group awarded to Leading Seaman Robert George Wynes, Royal Naval Reserve, Ocean Going Boarding Vessel H.M.S. Crispin, who was Killed in Action on 4th February 1941 when H.M.S. Crispin was sunk by U-107 comprising, 1939-45 Star, 1939-45 War Medal, unnamed as issued. Condolence/Bestowal slip, (Robert George Wynes), and Royal Navy postal box of issue, addressed to his wife Mrs Ann Elizabeth Wynes, Great Yarmouth. As issued.
Bestowal/Condolence slip confirms only two medals awarded.
C/X17757A Leading Seaman Robert George Wynes was Killed in Action on the 4th February 1941 at the age of 32 when British Ocean-Going Boarding Vessel H.M.S. Crispin was sunk by U-107 north-northeast of Rockall.
H.M.S. Crispin was originally completed in March 1935 as a steam merchant for Booth Steamship Company Ltd (Booth Line), Liverpool. In August 1940 she was requisitioned by the Admiralty and converted to the Ocean-Going Boarding Vessel H.M.S. Crispin, armed with two 6-in guns and some light anti-aircraft guns.
At 23.33 hours on 3 February 1941, H.M.S. Crispin (A/Cdr B. Moloney DSO, DSC, RNR) was hit in the engine room by one torpedo fired from U-107 north-west of Rockall. The ship was just detached from the dispersed convoy OB-280 together with H.M.S. Arbutus, the British armed yacht H.M.S. Philante and the British rescue ship Copeland to join the convoy SC-20 on the 4th February. H.M.S. Crispin was abandoned and foundered the following day. The commander, five officers and 14 ratings were lost. Eight survivors were picked up by the rescue ship and the remaining survivors by H.M.S. Harvester. The survivors were landed at Liverpool.
U-107 was a type IX B U-Boat that was eventually sunk on the 18th August 1944 in the Bay of Biscay by depth charges from a British Sunderland aircraft of 201 Squadron. The U-Boat was sunk with all hands.
At the time of the attack on H.M.S. Crispin U-107 was commanded by Gunther Hessler. Hessler sank 21 ships and was a recipient of the Knight’s Cross of the Iron Cross and the German Cross in Gold. He was also Admiral Donitz’s son-in-law. Hessler survived the war and died in 1968.
Leading Seaman Wynes is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial
Sold with CWGC entries, U-Boat information and a copy photograph of Crispin whilst in Merchant trade.
