Description
Arctic Star, KX125116 C.R. Tilney, in original MOD plastic box, with label providing attribution and original medal issue slip.
Label on bottom of the box reads: “ARCTIC STAR C R TILNEY KX125116”
A guaranteed original striking and issue of the Arctic Star.
From the label we can gather that Mr Tilney was likely to be a Royal Navy Sailor who served as a Stoker.
During the War, many “Arctic Convoys” took place the various ships taking part needing to be accompanied by Royal Navy vessels in order to not be struck down by German ships and submarines lying in wait.
It took literally decades for this service to be recognised, leading to the establishment of this star during late 2012, it first being awarded during 2013.
Royal Navy and Merchant Navy personnel to qualify for the award must have served anywhere at sea north of the Arctic Circle. This service included those who sailed in support of convoy to North Russia aka the famous and treacherous “Arctic Convoys”.
There is fortunately one man who lived at the time who held these initials who was:
Cecil Robert Tilney, Born 1905 in Bungay, Suffolk.
Son of a local Postman, Robert and Margaret he was raised in Suffolk and worked for a Farmer as of 1921.
In the lead up to the war he worked as a Builder’s Labourer in Bungay.
During the war Cecil married Winifred Maggie Knights during late 1943.
He lived to 1982 before he died aged 77 in Great Fransham, Norfolk.
