A rare South African 'War Against Japan' medal group of 4 to a 'Springbok': Able Seaman Russell Kenderdine Beardmore, South African Naval Force attached Royal Navy, late H.M.S Nigella

- The 1939-1945 Star (586471 R.K. Beardmore)
- The Pacific Star (586471 R.K. Beardmore)
- War Medal (586471 R.K. Beardmore)
- Africa Service Medal. Silver (586471 R.K. Beardmore)

Note: All medals are officially impressed named medals as struck and issued by the Pretoria Mint

Very Scarce: Only an estimated 472 x Pacific Stars were awarded to South African personnel, from all branches and services (Ref South Africa and the War Against Japan 1941-1945 (Cdr W. E. Bisset, South African Naval Museum, Simons Town, published Scientia Militaria, South African Journal of Military Studies, Vol 25, Nr 2, 1995

Important: All medals are confirmed and enumerated on accompanying hard-copy service papers and original ephemera

Sold together with:

- Original O.H.M.S. registered letter addressed to Dr R.K. Beardmore, 55 Alexandra Rd, Pietermaritzburg, Natal

- Original 3 x marked manila paper envelopes of issues from the Pretoria Mint

- Original named and dated discharge certificate

- Photocopied hard set of service papers confirming all medals earned

Russell Kenderdine Beardmore, son of Ernest Beardmore K.C., B.A., L.L.B. Attorney General Orange Free State, was a native of Johannesburg, South Africa, where he was born on 26.8.1925. He attested for service in the South African Naval Force 24.1.1944. with rating of 'Ordinary Seaman', at Durban Detachment, and was promoted to Able Seaman on 24 July 1944. Russell was seconded for service with the British Royal Navy with which latter service he served from 10 October 1944. On transfer to the Royal Navy, the first vessel he was posted to was H.M.S. Nigella (Flower Class Corvette) serving in the East Indies as part of the Escort Force. During the time Russell was on the musters of H.M.S. Nigella, the ship provided escort service in the Indian Ocean to from Ceylon (Colombo & Trincomalee Ports), took part in Anti-Submarine operations and deployed on air-sea rescue service on the equator line and in Southern Indian Ocean covering the air-routes from Ceylon / India to Western Australia, including a voyage to the Cocos / Keeling Islands. The Nigella served in South East Asia through to the end of 1945. In 1947, H.M.S. Nigella was decommissioned from the Royal Navy and sold. After being converted into a freighter, and renamed the 'Nigelock' it plied the South China Seas, where she led a perilous life carrying cargoes. She was thrice attacked by Nationalist gun boats or junks and once had to be rescued from attack by a British Navy ship. On March 10th, 1955, on a voyage from Shanghai to Foochow with general cargo, she stranded and sank off Foochow.

Russell Beardmore's postings shown on his service records include:

- Durban Fort Detachment: 24 January 1944 to 25 January 1944
- Cape Town Detachment: 26 January 1944 to 31 March 1944
- Durban Detachment: 1 April 1944 to 9 October 1944
- Seconded to Royal Navy: With effect from 10 October 1944
- H.M.S. Assegai: 10 October 1944 to 17 October 1944
- H.M.S. Nigella (Escort Force): 18 October 1944 to 30 September 1945
- H.M.S. Mayina (Ceylon Shire Base): 1 October 1945 to 4 October 1945
- H.M.S. Rangani (for H.M.S. Assegai): 5 October 1945 to 9 November 1945
- Discharged / Demobilized from service 16 February 1946

A rare named 'War Against Japan' medal group to a South African who is confirmed as being awarded 'The Pacific Star'

Condition: Mostly about EF

Code: 20479