WW2 Cardiff Merchant Navy Casualty, SS-Empire Lake 1943. Sunk by U-181.

I purchase this group yesterday, after the family sold it to a local dealer, relating to a Cardiff man, Juan Rivas, who died during the sinking of the SS Empire Lake by U-181 in 1943, 250 miles east of Madagascar. Rivas was the ships Steward. As you see the group is complete with one anomaly using the British name John instead of Juan. There are only two Rivas on the CWGC website, one who was killed during WW1 and of course Juan. The medal slip is for merchant navy casualties and the back of the box also has details that relate to service by Merchant navy personnel. Rivas is an interesting surname being of Spanish origin and found all over South America and the Caribbean so research would be of interest im sure.

Code: 63032