Description
Physical description
Jacket
Double-breasted jacket of blue-black cloth with two rows of our gilt crested RN buttons and double ring (wavy) gold wire lace, the upper with a decorative 'O'. Above the left breast are two medal ribbons: the 1939-1945 Star & the Atlantic Star (with rosette, signifying his
qualifying for the France and Germany Star although never actually awarded if in possession of the Atlantic Star).
Label
Temporary Lieutenant William Felix Lake, RNVR, was serving on HMS Hussar at the time of the Invasion. HMS Hussar was a fleet minesweeper and was one of eight similar craft of the 1st MSF (1st Mine Sweeper Flotilla), steaming ahead of the troop-carrying convoy to Normandy on the night of 5/6 June. Together with nine other flotillas they cleared a safe path through the Channel and only two ships of the Allied fleet reported damage caused by mines. Smaller wooden craft cleared the last stage of the journey, equipped for sweeping shallower waters, whilst battleships and cruisers engaged shore batteries. The Fleet sweepers however swept the anchorages of the larger vessels and later were employed as part of a line of protective defence some seven miles off of the French coast to ward off attacks from E-Boats. In the following three months seven minesweepers were sunk off Normandy and two were damaged beyond repair. Three craft from 1MSF were tragically hit by RAF Typhoons on 27 August close to Le Havre, including HMS Hussar, resulting in 78 killed and 149 wounded. Lake survived, losing only his personal possessions and weeks later was in Belfast to commission a newly-built Fleet minesweeper.
Included with the donation of uniform items area a pair of German binoculars, some photographs, and documents, including Lake's claim for lost property.
History note
Temporary Lieutenant William Felix Lake, RNVR, was serving on HMS Hussar at the time of the Invasion. HMS Hussar was a fleet minesweeper and was one of eight similar craft of the 1st MSF (1st Mine Sweeper Flotilla), steaming ahead of the troop-carrying convoy to Normandy on the night of 5/6 June. Together with nine other flotillas they cleared a safe path through the Channel and only two ships of the Allied fleet reported damage caused by mines. Smaller wooden craft cleared the last stage of the journey, equipped for sweeping shallower waters, whilst battleships and cruisers engaged shore batteries. The Fleet sweepers however swept the anchorages of the larger vessels and later were employed as part of a line of protective defence some seven miles off of the French coast to ward off attacks from E-Boats. In the following three months seven minesweepers were sunk off Normandy and two were damaged beyond repair. Three craft from 1MSF were tragically hit by RAF Typhoons on 27 August close to Le Havre, including HMS Hussar, resulting in 78 killed and 149 wounded. Lake survived, losing only his personal possessions and weeks later was in Belfast to commission a newly-built Fleet minesweeper.
Included with the donation of uniform items area a pair of German binoculars, some photographs, and documents, including Lake's claim for lost property.
Machined in black thread to a white label that is sewn to the inside right breast pocket.
MILLER, RAYNER & HAYSUM
LIMITED
LONDON LIVERPOOL
SOUTHAMPTON