A confirmed 'Java Sea' casualty of the 'Pacific War' campaign against the Imperial Japanese Navy, serving aboard a Hong Kong Colony requisitioned ship of the China Navigation Company: Stoker Douglas Saunders Royal Navy, late H.M.S. Anking

The group comprises:

- The 1939-1945 Star
- The Pacific Star (entitled to clasp 'Burma')
- The War Medal

Killed-in-Action: P/K.60138 Stoker Douglas Saunders is confirmed having been presumed 'Killed-in-Action' on 4 March 1942, when the requisitioned Wireless Depot ship H.M.S. Anking was attacked, and sunk in the Java Sea

The life and supreme sacrifice of Stoker Douglas Saunders is commemorated in perpetuity by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission on a panel at the Portsmouth Naval Memorial

Stoker Douglas Saunders, son of Harry Saunders & Fanny Saunders (nee Hutchins), of Beenham, Berkshire, England, was a native of Tadley, Hampshire, England, where he was born on, 18 September 1904. At the time of his death, when the sea claimed his body, Douglas was 37 years of age, and had been serving in the Royal Navy since.10 November 1922. Prior to joining the Royal Navy Douglas had been employed as a 'Farm Labourer' Throughout his service Dougals had served 'below decks' as a Stoker, including years service aboard the battleship H.M.S. Malaya 1923-25. Douglas transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve on, 10 November 1934

Medals verification: All medals confirmed as entitled per the accompanying Admiralty Condolences & Medals Transmittal. The reverse of the letter marked to indicate that '4' medals and clasp issues. Each of the 3 x medals and single 'Burma' clasp is ticked in ink on the reverse of the Admiralty letter

- Original Admiralty Condolences & Medals Transmittal Condolences / Medal letter named to Douglas Saunders

Hong Kong Colony Allied Chinese Ships and Allied China Fleet: Including H.M.S. Anking, there was a total of 32 x vessels of the Hong Kong-based China Navigation Company (Swire Group) requisitioned for war service by the Royal Navy and the Royal Australian Navy during the Second World WarWorld War II. Following the fall of Singapore Colony on 15 February 1942, many of the requisitioned ships joined the Allied retreat to Australia. Six were acquired by the Royal Australian Navy; four of these were commissioned as auxiliary warships, while two served as Victualing Supply Issuing Ships.

Yarra Convoy Java Sea 4 March 1942: H.M.S. Anking, was a Scottish 'Clyde-Built' merchant ship that had been made for the Hong Kong based China Navigation Company, where it was based prior 1941. The 'Anking' was converted to a 3,470 tonne 'Base & Accommodation' or Depot Ship. On 4 March 1942, Anking was part of an allied convoy that had prior sailed from Tjilatjap, Netherlands East Indies for destination Freemantle in Western Australia. H.M.S. Anking was shelled and sunk in the Indian Ocean 300 nautical miles (560 km) south of Java, Netherlands East Indies, by Arashi, Atago, Maya, Nowaki, Takao (all Imperial Japanese Navy) with the loss of 40 of her 97 crew. Some of the survivors were rescued by Tawali (Netherlands), others reached Java and were taken as prisoners of war

The recipients Naval service sheet(s) are intact and accessible at The National Archives

A scarce Pacific War casualty to a requisitioned Hong Kong Colony, China Navigation Company ship

Condition: Medals EF

Code: 24131