MERCANTILE MARINE MEDAL PAIR-WITH MEMORIAL PLAQUE-TO LEONARD CHARLES HARE-DIED 30TH JULY 1917 WIRELESS OPERATOR "SHIMOSA"-A BANK MANAGER WHO WAS SUSPECTED OF ROBBING HIS OWN BANK!

British War and Mercantile Marine War Medal,named to: LEONARD C.HARE
Bronze Memorial Plaque named to: LEONARD CHARLES HARE.
Wireless Operator Leonard Charles Hare "Shimosa" Liverpool,Mercantile Marine, who died on 20 July 1917 Age 50 (Served as Jackson). Son of the late Charles and Maria Hare: husband of Alice Mary Hare of 49,Weymouth St., Portland Place, London.Born at Taunton.He is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial.
The S S "Shimosa" was torpedoed and sunk by the U46 in the Atlantic,3 miles S.W.from Eagle Island,and 3 miles S.W from Erris Head,Co.Mayo,whilst on passage from Le Havre to Montreal in ballast.17 of her crew were lost including the Master.
Medals and Plaque extremely fine, or better.
Leonard Charles Hare was born in Taunton, in 1859 according to his Mercantile Marine Record, but his birth is recorded as 1856.
He worked as a Bank Manager.
The New South Wales Police Gazette carried a report that: "A warrant had been issued at Bath, England for the arrest of Leonard Charles Hare,charged with stealing the sum of £75.7s on the 3rd July 1900
Offender is 53 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches high,rather stout built,fresh complexion,brown hair and heavy drooping moustache,both of which are turning grey.Offender was manager at Lloyd's Bank,Bath,and the total defalcations amount to several thousand pounds.A reward will be paid for the arrest and conviction of Hare by the directors of Lloyd's Bank,,No 71,Lombard St.,London.Photo filed in Office of Inspector-GeneralI.If located, report to be furnished before arresting"
It would appear that Hare was still on the run when he enlisted in the Mercantile Marine, as he enlisted in the name of Jackson,and is not found on the 1911 census.
Scarce to the Mercantile Marine, and an interesting story!
Worthy of further research.
Sold with copied census returns, research etc.

Code: 52255