Battle Of The River Plate Rodney Sturdee Benham WW2 Hand Signed FDC

STB08  This is stunning Benhams WW2 rare collectors official limited Battle Of The River Plate first day cover hand signed by Admiral Rodney Sturdee where the signature rests perfectly accompanying the special hand commemorative franks.  This comes with full lifetime COA as the signing has been officially certified by the publishers with full hallmarking and authenticity of the series further detailed in absolute brand new mint condition. You wont source better.

"....When Britain and France declared war on Germany in 1939, Sturdee was serving in the South Atlantic on the York-class cruiser HMS Exeter, which had been sent to help the survivors of an earthquake in Chile. His ship was conveniently placed to be sent to take part in the Battle of the River Plate of December 1939 and was badly damaged by enemy fire.   An obituary for Sturdee states that he was a 'spotting officer' in one of the eight in gun turrets, two of the three of which were knocked out of action, leaving him "lucky to be alive".  She then steamed for the Falkland Islands, where she stayed for several weeks to make repairs. On 29 February 1940, with Captain F. S. Bell and other officers and men of Exeter, Sturdee was given the Freedom of the City of Exeter, when they marched through the streets with the ships shell-torn White Ensign, welcomed by a crowd of 50,000. Sturdee was promoted to Sub-Lieutenant in January 1941, and Lieutenant a month later.  He was transferred to service in the Algerine-class minesweepers HMS Fly, St Kilda, Albacore, Squall, Waterwitch, Cadmus, Nimbus, Stornoway, Acute and Brave, and on 12 June 1945 was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his work in arduous minesweeping operations on the coasts of Italy. The citation read for skill, perseverance and great devotion to duty.... "