- £275.00
Malaya, (Singapore - Hawaii). 1940. Envelope addressed to 'Mr James Downing, (Gunner's Mate, First Class) 'U.S.S.' "West Virginia", Pearl Harbour, Honolulu' bearing Straits Settlements SG 285, 12c ultramarine tied by Singapore double ring '13th Sept 40' with brown censor tape tied by bold framed 'Passed By/ Censor 111/ Singapore' on face and reverse with small green 'Malaya Patriotic' label. routed via Hong Kong with 'Victoria/ Hong Kong' transit on reverse '24th Sept 40' and triangular 'Passed Censor/ Hong Kong/ 9' in violet on face.
The cover is addressed to James Downing who with his new wife rushed to 'U.S.S. "West Virginia" having learnt by radio of the attack by the Japanese.
The Japanese bombers had targeted her with nine torpedoes but the ship had not completely sunk, Downing assisted the injured crew and used a water hose to keep the ammunition from exploding.
In 2016 Downing wrote a book on his navel carrier and the events at Pearl Harbour.
On board the 'U.S.S. 'West Virginia" was a sailor Lester Spencer who had been mentored by the evangelist Dawson Trotman who founded 'The Navigators. 135 men on board became devote Christians including James Downing who on retirement from the Navy moved to Colorado Springs taking over the Navigators Glen Eyrie Branch from his now friend Dawson Trotman.
