Royal Naval Officer's full dress cocked hat and full dress gold bullion epaulettes in japanned box - SHEEN - DSC winner, WW2 Battle of the Atlantic

Gieves Ltd japanned metal box containing full dress cocked hat and full dress gold bullion epaulettes for wear by an officer of the executive branch with the rank of Mate (Sub-Lt) or Lieutenant, R.N. Name painted on outside is “C.E. Sheen, R.N.”. Box spotted with rust but with various labels attached to the outside. Inside red velvet lined. Circa 1939. Property of the late Lt.-Cdr Charles Edward Sheen, D.S.C., R.N.

This is a post 1902 Naval Officer’s cocked hat and epaulettes. Cocked hat of regulation pattern by Gieves Ltd., embellished with gold purl twist KC button and gold purl end pieces. The full dress epaulettes are of standard pattern the straps bearing a fouled anchor, the whole contained in a japanned metal carrying case with stencilled details of owner. Very good overall condition.

The owner served on various ships in the war against the U Boat and won the Distinguished Service Cross.

The following website has some basic biographical details on his naval career:

http://uboat.net/allies/commanders/2254.html

Which, in summary, are:
1st January 1935 Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.
1st July 1936, Lieutenant, R.N.
1st June 1944, Lieutenant-Commander, R.N.
Retired, 23rd August 1957

Decorations:
Distinguished Service Cross ( DSC ), London Gazette: 9th March 1943. See following link:

www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35931/supplements/1135/page.pdf

Warship Commands listed for Charles Edward Sheen, RN


HMS Vanessa (D 29) Lt. Destroyer 31 Mar 1942 to 21 Feb 1944
HMS Watchman (D 26) Lt. Destroyer 14 Mar 1944 to 27 May 1944
HMS Pelican (L 86 / U 86) Lt. Sloop May 1944 to Oct 1945 ?

Events related to this officer:

Destroyer HMS Vanessa (D 29)

26 Dec 1942
German U-boat U-357 was sunk in the North Atlantic north-west of Ireland, in position 57°10'N, 15°40'W by the British destroyers HMS Hesperus (Cdr. D.G.F.W. MacIntyre, DSO, RN) and HMS Vanessa (Lt. C.E. Sheen, RN). U-357 was forced to the surface by depth charges and was rammed by HMS Hesperus.

MacIntrye was the renowned sub killer and Sheen was obviously part of his very successful hunting pack on this occasion.

Some very light moth to underside of hat, but in excellent fresh condition. Gilt and gold bullion on epaulettes is simply stunning. Some of velvet lining has lifted.

Given weight and size of this item I regret we can only post within UK.

Code: 56263