O.B.E.MERCANTILE MARINE GROUP OF 8 TO LT COMMANDER MATSON -ROYAL NAVAL RESERVE-HAD A MIRACULOUS ESCAPE WHEN IN COMMAND OF A MINE-SWEEPER DURING WW2

O.B.E.(named to reverse of crown LT. CDR F.A.MATSON R.N.R.)
British War and Victory Medals named to: S.LT.F.A.MATSON.
Mercantile Marine War Medal, named to: FREDERICK A MATSON.
1939/45 Star, Atlantic Star, Defence and War Medals.
Medals about good very fine overall,mounted swing style on wearing bar-as worn.
Aso comes with original Mercantile Marine Identity and Service Certificate with photo of Batson,medal box for the 2nd War Medals, named to: Lt Cdr F.A.Matson,O.B.E.,R.N.R.,Fairway,Hull Road, Hedon, Hull.
Plus two newspaper cuttings, and copied Board of Trade Masters, Mates and Fishing certificates, Navy lists,copied papers, list of ships served on, London Gazette, etc.
Frederick Arthur Matson was born in Bradford in 1894.
From 30/03/1916 to 08/03/1918 he was serving with the Royal Indian Marine, then with the Royal Naval Reserve unitl his discharge on 26/06/1919.He was awarded his masters certifcate on 4th October, 1922 and was employed in the inter-war years with the Wilson Line and latterly with the D.P.& L Shipping Company,Hull.
Following the outbreak of of the Second World War,Matson wsa commissioned temporary Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve on 15th January 1941, and was subsequently advanced Acting Lieutenant Commander."During the heavy blitz at Hull in 1941,when the enemy was laying mines in the Humber,Lieutenant Commander Matson was in command of a Mine-sweeper.His valuable work made it possible to keep the Hull roads,dock entrances and the New Holland ferry-boat crossing clear of mines.Once he had a miraculous escape from death when his ship was mined during these operations.Blown from the bridge,he dropped on the lower fore-deck,injuring both legs,and fracturing several ribs.He sank with his ship, and was laid unconcious on the deck,but fortunately the cold water revived him, and being an expert swimmer,he managed to to get to the surface and was rescued by his old commander of the Humber Conservancy Board" (original newspaper cutting refers)For his services in the Second World War,Matson was created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire.
(London Gazette 2nd June,1943)
Another newspaper cutting reporting on his death,on 9th February 1961, states that his health had been affected for many years as a result of war wounds.
Interesting group, with a good story

Code: 53100