An Unusual Great War Mercantile Marine 'P.O.W' Pair and Plaque awarded to Fireman Daniel Hanlon, Merchant Navy, who was aboard the S.S. Brecknockshire when she was sunk the S.M.S. Mowe on 15 February 1917, and subsequently died at sea while a prisoner of war, comprising: Mercantile Marine War Medal, 1914-1918 (Daniel Hanlon); Victory Medal, 1914-1919 (D. Hanlon. Fmn. M.F.A.); Memorial Plaque, in original folding card case (Daniel Hanlon); Group loose, B.W.M. absent, some verdigris and corrosion to pair, plaque better, almost very fine thus (3) Fireman Daniel Hanlon (1885-1917) was born in Bootle, near Liverpool, in 1885, the son of Michael and Mary Hanlon. The son of a dock worker, Daniel initially took up similar work but later served with the Merchant Navy as part of the crew of the S.S. Brecknockshire, departing for Brazil on 22 January 1917. His ship was captured and sunk in the Atlantic Ocean by the S.M.S. Moewe on 15 February 1917, with the crew taken aboard as prisoners of war, however on the return journey to Germany Daniel Hanlon died of Tuberculosis on 21 March 1917, being buried at sea. The remainder of the crew were disembarked at Bremerhaven on 22 March 1917. Interestingly, the Bootle Times, who reported his death, states that Hanlon had been ‘twice captured by the Germans’, although this has not been confirmed thus far. His name is recorded on the Tower Hill Memorial.

Estimate: GBP 150 - 200