A superb confirmed 'Arctic Convoys / Russia MID' and pre-war Yangtze River, 'China River Gunboat' service medal group of 9: Chief Engine Room Artificer Charles George Mills, B.E.M., Royal Navy, late H.M.S. Hazard and H.M.S. Scarab

- British Empire Medal (Military). GVI 2nd issue (C.E.R.A. Charles G. Mills, C/MX.768900)
- British War Medal. Silver issue (M. 33266 C. G. Mills. B. Art. R.N.)
- The 1939-45 Star
- The Atlantic Star
- The Africa Star
- The Italy Star
- Defence Medal
- War Medal. With bronze 'Oakleaf' emblem (Mention-in-Despatches)
- Naval Long Service 7 Good Conduct Medal. GV 'coinage head' issue with 2nd award bar (M. 33266 C. G. Mills. A/C.E.R.A. 2. H.M.S. Scarab.)

B.E.M. London Gazette 7 June 1951.

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1943.

The 'Chatham News' issue of, 14 September 1951 contained the below following article pertaining to Chief Petty Officer Mills:

Quote,

GOOD SERVICE

Medal And Clasp For

C.E.R.A.

A British Empire Medal for long and meritorious service, and a clasp to the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, for 30 years' unblemished service were on Monday awarded to Chief Engine-room Artificer Charles George Mills, of the Royal Naval Barracks, Chatham.

The investiture which took place at, Admiralty House, Gillingham, was carried out by the Commander-in-Chief, The Nore, Admiral Sir Cecil Harcourt, who said to the recipient: "This is the first time I have ever pinned the bar on a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, and I am pleased to see you looking as young and fit as you are."

Chief E.R.A. Mills, whose home is at 15, Trinity-road, Gillingham, first joined the Royal Navy at the age of 15 in July, at Portsmouth, and later served on the old coal-burning vessels.

He was mentioned in despatches in 1942 whilst serving with Russian convoys, in H.M.S. Hazard. He also saw action in North Africa and was at the invasion of Sicily.

He is vice-president of his Mess.

Amongst those present at the investiture was his mess-president C.E.R.A. R.W Atkinson of Castle-road, Chatham, who told a "Chatham News" reporter: "We have been together on and off for the last 24 years." C.E.R.A Atkinson needs only three years' service to qualify for the clasp himself.

Other mess-mates present were C.E.R.A. T. Isherwood, the mess caterer, C.E.R.A. L. Seymour and C.E.R.A. S. Gladwin.

Mrs. Atkinson, Miss. G. Wright. and Miss. M. Samson - both friends of C.E.R.A. Mills - were the only ladies at the ceremony

Apart from the Commander-in-Chiefs staff, officers present were Rear-Admiral. (E) H.J.B. Moore, Commodore. G.V. Gladstone (Commodore for the Royal Naval Barracks), Comdr. (E) H.B. Samways and Lt. (E) V.G. Dennis

Unquote.

Charles George Mills was born in Walworth, London, in September 1902. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Artificer in 1918, and served at H.M.S. Fisgard, July 1918 - January 1923. Having advanced to Engine Room Artificer 4th Class, he served with H.M.S. Hood - the 'Mighty Hood', and the pride of the inter-war Royal Navy - when she took part in the “Empire Cruise” 27 November 1923 - 28 September 1924. Other between the war's postings included in H.M. ships Constance and Colombo, both on the North America and West Indies station.

Mills was serving in H.M.S. Scarab (river gunboat) on the China station in 1935; she was subsequently employed on the Yangtze River when Japan invaded China in 1937. Service during the Second War included long and hazardous service on the Arctic Convoys, as a member of H.M.S. Hazard (minesweeper), which ship was deployed on Arctic Convoy escort duty, and for which he was specifically awarded a 'Mention-in-Despatches' for his service in Russia 1941-42. He sailed for the Mediterranean in 1942, where he took part in 'Operation Husky' (Invasion of Sicily). Post war service included in H.M.S. Phoebe (light cruiser).

Charles George Mills married Mabel Samson (who had attended his B.E.M. investiture in 1951) at, Chatham, Kent, during the first quarter of 1952. Prior to his death at, All Saints Hospital, Chatham, Kent, on, 19 August 1963, Charles had been resident at, 25 Hawthorne Avenue, Rainham Mark, Gillingham, Kent. At death, his effects and estate were bequeathed to his widow, Mabel Mills

Mills was awarded the Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., 18 November 1935, and the Second Award Bar, 31 August 1951.

The medals mounted as-worn by the recipient in the swing-style, suspended from their original silk ribands. The reverse of the mounting-bar retaining its long-hinged pin and clasp fittings

Sold together with some hard-copy research, including a copy of the recipient's 'first' service sheet

An extremely scarce and desirable Naval campaign and long service medal group representing service on the 'Yangtze River' in the 1930's, and a confirmed award of the 'Mention-in-Despatches', for services in Russia while deployed on Arctic Convoy duty

Condition: Mostly about GVF

Code: 23231