Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. GV coinage head (J.76143 W. McKenzie, A,B. H.M.S. Rodney)

H.M.S. Rodney: HMS Rodney was one of two Nelson-class battleships built for the Royal Navy in the mid-1920s. The ship entered service in 1928, and spent her peacetime career with the Atlantic and Home Fleets, sometimes serving as a flagship when her sister ship, Nelson, was being refitted. During the early stages of the Second World War, she searched for German commerce raiders, participated in the Norwegian Campaign, and escorted convoys in the Atlantic Ocean. Rodney played a major role in the sinking of the German battleship Bismarck in mid-1941

After a brief refit in the United States, she escorted convoys to Malta and supported the Allied invasion of French Algeria during Operation Torch in late 1942. The ship covered the invasions of Sicily (Operation Husky) and Italy (Operation Baytown) in mid-1943. During the Normandy landings in June 1944, Rodney provided naval gunfire support and continued to do so for several following offensives near the French city of Caen. The ship escorted one convoy through the Arctic to the Soviet Union in late 1944. In poor condition from extremely heavy use and a lack of refits, she was reduced to reserve in late 1945 and was scrapped in 1948

Medals verification: In addition to his LSGC, the recipient was also entitled to campaign medals for both World Wars. His Great War & LSGC medal roll references are:

- British War Medal. Silver issue: Ref adm 171/109
- Interallied Victory Medal: Ref adm 171/109
- Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal: Shown in recipients service sheet as 'Traced ', 25 May 1933

William McKenzie was born at Aberdeen, Scotland on, 15 May 1900, and enlisted with the rank of Boy Class II on 8 August 1917. Posted to the Training Ship Powerful, McKenzie was appointed Ordinary Seaman on 18 May 1918 while at H.M.S. Albion

Russia / Crimea service: Posted to the S-class destroyer H.M.S. Seraph on 24 December 1918 he was to serve with her for several years. Seraph was posted to the Black Sea in 1919 alongside the Speedy to support the White Russian Forces in their attack upon the city of Mariupol. Serving as a troopship for the White Army Seraph was later also used to aid their evacuation from the Crimea

After his time on Seraph McKenzie saw service on a variety of ships, including 'The Mighty Hood' - the Battleship H.M.S. Hood being the pride of the inter-war Royal Navy. He also served at least 3 x tours to H.M.S. Tamar, the Royal Navy's Hong Kong Colony Depot Ship, from where he had postings to the destroyers H.M.S. Witch & H.M.S. Decoy on the China Station. Earlier he had also mustered aboard H.M.S. Bryony which he left on 1 January 1931. With the outbreak of the Second World War he was with H.M.S. Drake I on 1 July 1939, with the rank of Able Seaman. Pensioned on 17 May 1940 he continued to serve as Able Seaman (Pensioner) on active service throughout the remainder of the Second World War until being demobilised on 12 September 1945

H.M.S. Ulster Queen: William mustered aboard the Ulster Queen (converted Merchantman that became an 'Anti-Aircraft Ship' from 25 July 1941 (the ship was commissioned the very next day). The Ulster Queen had an illustrious history, serving on several Arctic Convoys, Atlantic Convoys, Mediterranean and ended the war in the Far East!

Sold together with hard copy photocopy of the recipients 'service sheet'

Condition: About VF

Code: 22377