*A Fine and Well-Documented WW2 and N.G.S. ‘Yangtze 1949’ Group of 4 awarded to Able Seaman Patrick William Linnane, who served aboard H.M.S. St. George during the majority of WW2, and later transferred to the cruiser H.M.S. London in June 1944. It was while aboard this ship that he was present during the ‘Yangtze Incident’ of April 1949, afterwards attending the Corporation of London luncheon given to ‘Yangtze’ participants at the Guildhall on 16 November 1949. He later served on the Staff of the Commander-In-Chief Mediterranean, Admiral Louis Mountbatten, 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, at Malta in 1954-55, from whom he received a framed, hand-signed photograph for his service, comprising: 1939-1945 Star; Burma Star, with ‘Pacific’ clasp upon ribbon; War Medal 1939-45; Naval General Service, 1909-62, single clasp, Yangtze 1949 (C/JX 371749 P.W. Linnane. A.B. R.N.); Group swing-mounted on bar as worn, also offered with original certificate of service, original menu from the ‘Yangtze’ lunch given at the Guildhall, and others from H.M.S. London on Christmas Day 1945 and 1947, photographs, Christmas cards sent from H.M. ships Centaur, St. Angelo and another from the Staff of the C-in-C Mediterranean, Report of Wound etc., various items of naval insignia, and a large, glazed portrait photograph of ‘Mountbatten of Burma’ and his wife Edwina, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, hand-signed in ink, good very fine (lot). Able Seaman Patrick William Linnane, R.N. was born at Aldershot, Hampshire, on 7 June 1926. After an initial period working as a Laboratory Assistant, he volunteered for service with the Royal Navy during WW2 as Boy 2nd Class at Chatham on 6 January 1943, serving aboard H.M.S. St. George. After his first year he was transferred to H.M.S. London on 27 January 1944, being promoted to Ordinary Seaman on 7 June 1944, and to Able Seaman 0n 7 December 1944. The ship was refitted in 1946, and was then sent for service on the China Station. Whilst still serving aboard the London Able Seaman Linnane was present during the famous ‘Amethyst Incident’ (or ‘Yangtze Incident’) of April 1949, when H.M.S. London (under Vice-Admiral Madden) and H.M.S. Black Swan were sent up the Yangtze River to assist the beleaguered H.M.S. Amethyst which had been damaged during heavy exchanges with Chinese Communist shore batteries whilst making her way from Nanking to Shanghai to relieve the guardship H.M.S. Consort, and had become grounded. The London was sent ‘up river’ as a show of strength, and did good work with her 8-inch and 4-inch guns against the attacking forces during its attempts to relieve the Amethyst, firing several hundred rounds, whilst also receiving significant damage in return. As a result, the London was forced to retreat to Hong Kong for repairs, and then to England where she was eventually scrapped. Leaving H.M.S. London, Linnane was soon after invited to and attended the Corporation of London’s Luncheon at the Guildhall on 16 November 1949 for the Officers and Men of H.M.S. Amethyst, London, Consort and Black Swan. He afterwards served aboard H.M. Ships Pembroke, Superb, Neptune and Centaur during the years 1949 to 1954 (fracturing his lower left fibula on 7 December 1950 whilst representing the Superb’s 1st XI in a football match), and latterly served as part of the Commander-in-Chief’s retinue aboard H.M.S. St. Angelo at Malta between 7 October 1954 and 27 December 1955, alongside the then Admiral Mountbatten of Burma. He retired from further service on 6 June 1956. Purchased by Frank Moore directly from the family, with note of confirmation.

Estimate: GBP 1000 - 1500