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Auction: 25001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 101

(x) The campaign group of four awarded to Chief Petty Officer Aircrewman B. J. Sandoe, Royal Navy, who served during the Falklands War with H.M.S. Intrepid, upon whose deck the Argentine surrender papers were signed

South Atlantic 1982, with rosette (AB (R) B J Sandoe D171525K HMS Intrepid); Gulf 1990-91 (LACMN B J Sandoe D171525K RN); N.A.T.O. Medal 1994, 1 clasp, Former Yugoslavia; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. (LACMN B J Sandoe D171525K RN), mounted as worn, light contact marks, very fine (4)

Barry John Sandoe was born on 10 October 1960 and worked as a bakery assistant prior to beginning his career with the Royal Navy on 9 May 1978, initially enrolling to complete a twelve-year period of engagement. He completed his seamanship and general training at H.M.S. Raleigh and then went on to H.M.S. Dryad for his radar training.

From January 1979 Sandoe was posted to patrol ship H.M.S. Orkney, patrolling the Iceland Faroes gap and the North Sea to protect fisheries. Orkney was involved in the arrest of two fishing boats for illegal nets and overfishing, the recovery and return of an oil rig buoy, and the destruction of a cargo container carrying cigarettes. His next posting was aboard Leander-class frigate H.M.S. Diomede from May 1979 until January 1981, and was promoted Able Seaman (Radar) with her.

After serving again with Dryad for a short time, Sandoe joined the assault-class H.M.S. Intrepid on 23 June 1981. She was being prepared for decommission when Argentina invaded the Falklands, bringing her back into action. Her engines were reattached and she went on to serve a key role in the Falklands campaign, where she was used as a headquarters for S.A.S. and at one point 14,000 Argentinian prisoners were taken onboard. Upon the end of the conflict, the Argentine surrender papers were signed on her deck.

Following the conclusion of the Falklands campaign, Sandoe was transferred in late September 1982 to the batch 2 county class destroyer H.M.S. Fife, with whom he returned to the Falklands for a six-month patrol. Sandoe was advanced Acting Leading Seaman (Radar) with her before relinquishing to Able Seaman (Radar) with H.M.S. Dryad from May 1984. He took and passed his aircrew aptitude training with H.M.S. Seahawk, and after passing his training was promoted Acting Leading Seaman (Radar) once again. Sandoe joined H.M.S. Edinburgh in July 1985 whilst awaiting his draft to the Aircrewman branch, during which time he was rated Leading Seaman (Radar) before joining the Fleet Air Arm training establishment at H.M.S. Daedalus in May 1986. Sandoe was drafted to the Aircrewman school to complete basic, advanced, and operational flying training courses at Seahawk, also known as Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose. Upon his successful completion of the course he was awarded his flying wings and promoted Leading Aircrewman.

He served with 820 Naval Air Squadron, flying in the SeaKing H.A.S. Mk V, and embarked on H.M.S. Ark Royal for an exercise trip known as Outback 88. In June 1989 Sandoe joined the 810 Naval Air Squadron, a training squadron, whereupon he became an Aircrew Instructor. He was there only briefly before rejoining 820 Naval Air Squadron in August 1990. Once again aboard Ark Royal, Sandoe served in the Gulf War on the Mediterranean side. While there, Sandoe was involved in dramatic episode in which he was in a helicopter that ditched into the sea due to a computer malfunction. The pilot overrode for manual control before the helicopter rolled over, making them the only crew at the time to have successfully carried out a water take-off in a real scenario.

Sandoe was returned to the 810 Naval Air training Squadron in November 1992 and was loaned to I.B.M. for a period to do a training analysis of their new helicopter. In 1994 he was finally promoted Petty Officer Aircrewman. Sandoe's last experience in a front-line squadron came upon his return to 820 Naval Air Squadron in April 1995, where he was posted to the Adriatic Sea conducting operations in the former Yugoslavia aboard the H.M.S. Illustrious.

He returned to Seahawk in December 1996 where he was involved in the development of the new software of the SeaKing. There, he was also promoted Chief Petty Officer Aircrewman. Despite Sandoe's desire to continue to serve at the front-line, he was transferred to a desk job at D.E.R.A. in Hampshire. Sandoe's fine naval career ended one day prior to his fortieth birthday on 9 October 2000.

Sold together with folder of copied and original research, including photographs and certificates, as well as flying wings and original flying logbook.

For the recipient's miniature medals, please see Lot 457.


Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£800 to £1,200

Starting price
£600