1939-45 Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45; Efficiency Medal bar Militia (4436495 SPR. R.C. GAGEN. R.E.)
Ralph Carr Gagen was born in Sunderland, Durham on 13 March 1898. Although old enough to have served in WWI no trace of him could be found.
In 1921 he was an Apprentice Pattern Maker employed at the Docks in Sunderland and living with his parents at 29 Hendon Valley Road, Sunderland. His father was a Master Mariner.
He made an appearance in the Sunderland Daily Echo of 24 December 1926 for the wrong reason - "Ralph Gagen (29) of 6 Finkle Terrace, Sunderland, was charged with having the identification plate of a motor car obscured at Seaham Harbour on December 16. Const Bottomley stated that he saw the car in Green St. the front identification plate was obscured by mud. On the mud being rubbed off it was found that one of the numerals was indistinguishable through rust. The defendant explained that a broken spring bent the number plate and knocked off the paint. The rust was caused by a leak from the radiator. A fine of 10s was imposed."
He enlisted with the Royal Engineers on 3.5.1938 at the age 40 and was transferred to the BEF on 19.9.39 with No 1 Engineering Base Workshop. He was discharged in 1945
Gagen's medals were sent to him on 12 December 1958 to 36 Jubilee Grove, Billingham, Co. Durham. He died in Darlington, Durham in January 1981.
Sold with some research. Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated.
