The extremely rare post-war Mediterranean Mine Clearance operations 1949 British Empire Medal and “Bomb & Mine Clearance Mediterranean” group awarded to Leading Seaman Mechanic W.G. Reynolds, B.E.M., Royal Navy. Having originally seen service during the Second World War in the Battle of the Atlantic, Mediterranean and in support of the operations in North West Europe, he may well have been a qualified clearance diver, as he went on to be involved in minesweeping duties in the Mediterranean aboard the minesweeper H.M.S Sylvia, and for his distinguished and meritorious service, he was awarded the British Empire Medal in January 1949. He however then became one of approximately 65 recipients of the “Bomb & Mine Clearance Mediterranean” clasp, for his services with the Mediterranean Fleet Diving Team. Qualifying service was six months active involvement in bomb and mine clearance. The majority of the work centred around Malta and, in particular, the main harbour of Valetta where large quantities of bombs were recovered from a number of merchant vessels that had been sunk by air attack during the Second World War.
Group of 7: British Empire Medal, GVI 1st type cypher, Military Division; (D/KX.90842. W.G. REYNOLDS. L.S. R.N.); 1939-1945 Star; Atlantic Star with France and Germany Clasp (though clasp is mounted on another medal); Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal; Naval General Service Medal 1909-1962, GV 2nd type bust, 2 Clasps: Minesweeping 1945-51, Bomb & Mine Clearance Mediterranean; (D/KX.90842 W.G. REYNOLDS. B.E.M. L.S.M. R.N.), mounted swing style for wear.
Condition: Nearly Extremely Fine.
William George Reynolds originally saw service during the Second World War in Royal Navy, being present in the Battle of the Atlantic, Mediterranean and in support of the operations in North West Europe, and then found himself extensively involved in minesweeping duties in the aftermath of the Second World War, as a result of which he qualified for the first clasp to his Naval General Service Medal 1909-1962, namely the clasp for ‘Minesweeping 1945-51’, that was awarded for six months service afloat on minesweeping duties between 3 September 1945 and 30 September 1951. Approximately 4,800 clasps were awarded.
In this period he was rated as a Leading Seaman (No.D/KX.90842), and was involved in minesweeping duties in the Mediterranean aboard the minesweeper H.M.S Sylvia. The qualification for the clasp ‘Minesweeping 1945-51’ in the Mediterranean, with the exception of operations in Greek Waters, came to an end on 15 August 1947, but those in Greek Waters continued until 30 September 1951, when the qualification for the clasp expired. Therefore it seems likely that Reynolds was employed for a period in the Greek Waters, this being deduced owing to the award of the British Empire Medal, awarded for his distinguished services on minesweeping aboard Sylvia in the Mediterranean area, and announced in the New Years Honours List as published in the London Gazette for 1 January 1949. Reynolds award is the only one for these operations published in the third gazette, and a minesweeping British Empire Medal for Mediterranean operations is of the highest rarity.
It is quite possible, but not guaranteed, that Reynolds was employed as a naval clearance diver, as he then continued in mine clearance duties at some stage in the Mediterranean in the period from 1 January 1953 through to 31 December 1960, though operations work considered entitled only began from 1 July 1955.
As a Leading Seaman Mechanic he saw service with the Mediterranean Fleet Diving Team, that was engaged in further bomb and mine disposal operations as arduous and dangerous as those which had earned the previous clasp. Qualifying service was again six months active involvement in bomb and mine clearance. The majority of the work centred around Malta and, in particular, the main harbour of Valetta where large quantities of bombs were recovered from a number of merchant vessels that had been sunk by air attack during the Second World War, such as the motor vessels Talbot and Pampas. There is a general believe that all those who qualified were divers, however, this is incorrect as a number of men of the seamen branch were employed in small craft in the movement of the recovered bombs to a safe place and in their final disposal. Because of rigid adherence to the rules governing eligibility only a small number of officers and men qualified. About 65 clasps were issued.
In a letter from the Admiral and Commander in Chief of the Mediterranean at Malta, and written in January 1958, he wrote to the Mediterranean Fleet that ‘I wish to draw attention of the Fleet to the work carried out during the past year by the Mediterranean Fleet Clearance Diving Team, which has involved some 50 separate operations to render safe, often underwater, and dispose of, over 900 missiles of various kinds. These have included the disposal of a live magnetic-acoustic mine containing 1,536 lbs. of high explosive, and a bomb containing 2,120 lbs. of high explosive. 18 bombs have been found to contain a particularly sensitive trembler type anti-disturbance fuze.’
As can be seen these operations were not confined to Malta. The Admiral further wrote: ‘The operation concerning the mine mentioned above was probably the highlight of the year’s endeavours. The mine, a German type C, which was found lodged against a jetty in Benghazi harbour, was rendered safe after 2 1/2 hours work underwater and subsequently lifted and ditched in deep water. Examination of parts removed from the mine showed that, despite 16 years’ immersion, it was still in working and lethal condition. Expressions of gratitude for this operation have been received from consular and local government authorities at Benghazi.’
A replacement British Empire Medal with the G.VI.R 2nd issue bust is known to have been issued to this recipient, however the above medal is his original one. The whereabouts of the replacement medal are no known, and in all probability is was returned to the Mint after the safe location of the original medal.
