Description
Physical description
Jacket
Dark blue double-breasted jacket with two rows of gilt metal buttons, the buttons bearing the crest of a Crown above a fouled anchor. There are two open slash pockets, one to each side of the lower skirt. To the cuffs are sewn the gold wire rank braid of Lieutenant Commader (in the form of waves). To the left chest, above an open slanted breast pocket, are sewn the medal ribbons of: Distinguished Service Cross; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence Medal; 1939-45 War Medal (with Mention in Despatches oak leaf emblem attached).
Label
James ('Jimmy') Basil Colegate Lumsden (1905-1980) was born in Clapton but grew up near Westcliffe, Southend. Prior to war service he was a commercial traveller with R & R MacLoad Ltd, London and joined the RNVR in 1940, commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant. Appointed CO of HM ML 291 in 1941, he and his motor launch participated in Operation Jubilee (the Dieppe Raid) on 19 August 1942, gaining a Mention in Despatches and a Distinguished Service Cross. It is believed that ML 291 steered through a minefield to successfully pick up soldiers from Green Beach (extracts from HMML 291's log suggest that they opened fire on an enemy trawler and later collected survivors and enemy airmen, transferring them to HMS Berkeley and Allbrighton, before searching for further aircrew). His First Lieutenant was wounded in this action.
In 1943 Lumsden was invalided ashore with a lung complaint and later appointed a Berthing Officer at HMS Hornet, Gosport, before being appointed as First Lieutenant to RNAS Wingfield, South Africa, before being posted to HMS Malagas (near Capetown). Lumsden went on to serve in the RNVR for a further 20 years as well as running a Public House near Hitchin.
History note
James ('Jimmy') Basil Colegate Lumsden (1905-1980) was born in Clapton but grew up near Westcliffe, Southend. Prior to war service he was a commercial traveller with R & R MacLoad Ltd, London and joined the RNVR in 1940, commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant. Appointed CO of HM ML 291 in 1941, he and his motor launch participated in Operation Jubilee (the Dieppe Raid) on 19 August 1942, gaining a Mention in Despatches and a Distinguished Service Cross. It is believed that ML 291 steered through a minefield to successfully pick up soldiers from Green Beach (extracts from HMML 291's log suggest that they opened fire on an enemy trawler and later collected survivors and enemy airmen, transferring them to HMS Berkeley and Allbrighton, before searching for further aircrew). His First Lieutenant was wounded in this action.
In 1943 Lumsden was invalided ashore with a lung complaint and later appointed a Berthing Officer at HMS Hornet, Gosport, before being appointed as First Lieutenant to RNAS Wingfield, South Africa, before being posted to HMS Malagas (near Capetown). Lumsden went on to serve in the RNVR for a further 20 years as well as running a Public House near Hitchin.
NOTE:- See file held in DEAF office for photographs of Lumsden and HM ML 291.
Machined in white on black to cloth label that is sewn to the inside right breast.
118-132 NEW OXFORD STREET
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