Arthur Clayton John Hayes WW2 MULTI Rare SS Zaafaran Ship Hand Signed FDC

STB031 This is stunning collectors official limited Convoy PQ17 first day cover hand signed by Arthur Clayton DDSM 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. (it is also hand signed by Vice Admiral Sir John Hayes another warship hero of WW2)

British seaman Arthur E Clayton served aboard SS Copeland in North Atlantic, 1941; Defensively Equipped Merchant Ship (DEMS) gunner served aboard SS Zaafaran in North Atlantic and Arctic, 1941-1942 including sinking, 5/7/1942; served aboard MS Batory in Mediterranean, 1942-1943; served aboard SS Saroena in Indian Ocean, 1943

John Hayes joined the Royal Navy in 1927. He served in World War II as a Navigation Officer on HMS Repulse and survived her sinking by Japanese air attack in December 1941. He then became naval liaison officer to the 2nd Battalion, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and was present at the surrender of Singapore and in February 1942 and then saw the disintegration of Convoy PQ 17 on its way to Russia as 23 of its 36 ships were lost in July 1942