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This item SOLD at 2026 Jan 31 @ 13:34UTC-08:00 : PST/AKDT
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Preview: January 30th (10am - 5pm)
Pick ups: Feb 1st - Feb 3rd (10am - 5pm)
Preview and Pick up location: 27294 Fraser Hwy, Aldergrove, BC V4W 3P8
* Please read the IMPORTANT LOT! Placing your bid is your acceptance of all Terms and Conditions, Buyers Premium, Taxes, Shipping and Payment information.
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• ALL items are AS IS WHERE IS, NO EXCEPTIONS. Our Catalogues are used as a guideline ONLY! BRING ALL PACKING MATERIAL
The Ross of London "Officer of the Watch" telescope offered here is a personal instrument belonging to Captain G. H. Griffiths himself "an essential tool for a naval officer responsible for navigation, horizon scanning, and shipboard command. Officer" grade telescopes were not merely accessories; they were working instruments used during watch rotations, convoy escort duties, and ship-handling operations in some of the most treacherous waters of the war.
Ross of London was one of Britain's premier optical manufacturers, supplying high "quality naval and military optics throughout both World Wars. A personal telescope owned by a decorated RCN captain" especially one with direct service in the Battle of the Atlantic-represents a rare convergence of provenance, craftsmanship, and historical significance.
The inclusion of a Certificate of Authenticity further strengthens the provenance, making this an exceptional opportunity for collectors of naval history, Canadian military artifacts, WWII memorabilia, or fine maritime instruments.
Biography of Captain George Humphrey Griffiths, O.B.E., R.C.N.
Captain George Humphrey Griffiths, O.B.E. (1896-1981) stands among the distinguished naval officers who shaped Allied success in the Battle of the Atlantic. Born in Cambridge, England, on 5 June 1896, Griffiths entered naval life early, joining the Royal Navy during the First World War era. His formative years at sea established the disciplined seamanship, navigational precision, and leadership qualities that would define his long maritime career.
Following his initial service with the Royal Navy, Griffiths immigrated to Canada in the interwar period, settling in Nova Scotia-a region deeply tied to North Atlantic shipping and naval operations. When the Second World War erupted, he volunteered for duty with the Royal Canadian Navy, bringing with him decades of maritime experience at a time when seasoned officers were urgently needed to command escort vessels in the perilous North Atlantic convoy system.
During WWII, Griffiths rose to the rank of Captain (RCN) and became a key figure in the escort fleet responsible for safeguarding merchant convoys against German U-boats. He commanded multiple corvettes, including HMCS Drumheller and HMCS Woodstock, both of which served on the critical mid-]ocean escort routes. These small but vital ships formed the backbone of the RCN's wartime operations, and Griffiths' leadership placed him at the center of some of the most dangerous naval duties of the war.
His most notable action occurred on 31 August 1942, during Convoy SC-97, when the merchant vessel S.S. Capira was torpedoed in the North Atlantic. Under hazardous conditions, Griffiths led a rescue operation that successfully recovered 16 survivors from the frigid waters, an act of seamanship and courage that exemplified the professionalism of the RCN escort service. His wartime conduct earned him formal recognition, including appointment as an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) and a Mention in Despatches, honours reserved for officers whose actions demonstrated exceptional skill, bravery, and devotion to duty.
After the war, Captain Griffiths remained an influential figure within Canada's maritime community, respected for both his operational expertise and his contributions to the wartime expansion of the Royal Canadian Navy. He lived the remainder of his life in Nova Scotia, passing away in Berwick on 16 May 1981.
Auction Location:
27294 Fraser Hwy., Aldergrove, British Columbia, V4W 3P8, Canada
Previewing Details:
January 30th (10am - 5pm) in-person and video calls.
Previewing Address: 27294 Fraser Hwy, Aldergrove, BC V4W 3P8
Video calls & Facetime previews are available as well via appointment only. To book an appointment please email us at auction@directliquidation.ca with a time between 10am-5pm PDT.
International Shipping is available through 3rd party. See shipping details.
Items must be paid in full on the day of the sale.
Preview: January 30th (10am - 5pm)
Pick ups: Feb 1st - 3rd (10am - 5pm)
Preview and Pick up location: 27294 Fraser Hwy, Aldergrove, BC V4W 3P8
NOTE: ITEMS NOT PICKED UP BY FEBRUARY 3RD WILL BECOME THE PROPERTY OF DIRECT LIQUIDATION, AND NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED UNLESS ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE WITH US.
Applicable taxes GST 5% PST 7%
Please make sure to include your PST number if you have one.
Taxes:
| Tax | Rate | Desc. |
| GST |
5% |
GST |
| BPST |
7% |
BC PST |
| NFLD |
5% |
NewFoundland |
| NB |
5% |
New Brunswick |
| NS |
5% |
Nova Scotia |
| PEI |
5% |
Prince Edward Island |
| ON |
5% |
Ontario |
| AB |
5% |
Alberta |
| MB |
5% |
Manitoba |
| NWT |
5% |
Northwest Territories |
| NT |
5% |
Nunavut |
| QC |
5% |
Quebec |
| SK |
5% |
Saskatchewan |
| YK |
5% |
Yukon |
Buyer's Premiums:
| From (Incl.) | To (Excl.) | Premium |
| 0.00 |
Infinite |
18% |
Additional Fees:
Shipping Details:
All shipping operations will be managed through The UPS Store in Burnaby, located at:
4111 Hastings Street
Burnaby, BC
Contact Information:
Steve or Brian
Phone: 604.205.5888
Email: store325@theupsstore.ca
Should you have any questions or require assistance with shipping, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Steve or Brian directly at the contact number above.
Payment Details:
If your picking your items up, you can save 2% by paying cash or debit, NO discount for E-Transfer! All items not paid for within 48 hours of the conclusion of the auction, will be charged on your card. If items are being shipped, your card will be charged twice. Once for your items and again when shipping has been calculated.
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