70
A Second War anti-U-boat operations D.S.M. group of six awarded to Acting Leading Seaman G....
Your max bid
GBP
Place Bid
Auctioneer's estimate
800 GBP - 1,000 GBP
Additional fees apply
34.74% Inc.VAT/sales tax
Add to watch list
Watching
(1 watching)
Please confirm your bid
Bids do not include VAT, buyer’s premium or delivery.
By confirming your bid, you agree that you have read and accepted the-saleroom.com and the auctioneer's terms and conditions. Confirming your bid is a legally binding obligation to purchase and pay for the lot should your bid be successful.
Confirm bid removal
Your bid is off increment
Choose one of the quick bid options below:
Bids do not include VAT, buyer’s premium or delivery.
By confirming your bid, you agree that you have read and accepted the-saleroom.com and the auctioneer's terms and conditions. Confirming your bid is a legally binding obligation to purchase and pay for the lot should your bid be successful.
Description
A Second War anti-U-boat operations D.S.M. group of six awarded to Acting Leading Seaman G. E. B. H. Masters, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his vital role in H.M.S. Blankney at the destruction of the U-131 and U-434 in December 1941
Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (JX.226468 G. E. B. H. Masters. A/L.S.) impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted court-style for display, good very fine (6) £800-£1,000
---
Importation Duty
This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK
---
---
D.S.M. London Gazette 17 March 1942: ‘For skill and enterprise in action against enemy submarines,’
The original recommendation states:
‘As the Ship’s Higher Submarine Detector, Acting Leading Seaman Masters was operating the A./S. set during the actions of 17 and 18 December, which resulted in the sinking of the U-131 and U-434 respectively. On 17 December his operating was excellent and an attack made on a fair contact was most probably that which caused the U-131 to surface, enabling her to be sunk by gunfire. On 18 December his operating was again excellent and his coolness when the gyro-compass broke down and his skill in holding contact in spite of the disturbance caused by 22 depth charges, made it possible to carry out the attack which caused the U-434 to surface and subsequently to sink.’
George Edward Bucc Harvey Masters was awarded an immediate D.S.M. for the above cited deeds in December 1941. At the time Blankney was part of the 12th Escort Group, based at Derry in Northern Ireland, but she was ordered to reinforce Commander ‘Johnny’ Walker’s escorts for the homeward bound convoy HG 76 from Gibraltar.
On 17 December 1941, a Martlet from H.M.S. Avenger spotted a surfaced U-boat - the U-131 - and Walker ordered his convoy escorts to make haste to the reported position, Blankney being the first to arrive on the scene and carry out a depth charge attack. That attack was followed up by the Penstemon, with 10 depth charges set at 150-400 feet, and these latter had the desired effect, for at length the U-131 was compelled to surface. Her appearance was greeted by another Marlet from Avenger, which roared in and strafed her but the pilot was fatally wounded by return fire and crashed into the sea. Before long, however, five convoy escorts arrived on the scene and the U-boat skipper ordered his crew to scuttle and abandon ship. He, and 43 of his crew, were subsequently picked up, whilst Blankney recovered the body of the Martlet’s pilot.
The very next morning, at about 0900 hours, another surfaced U-boat was spotted and Blankney joined the Stanley in an attack, in her case firing a total of 12 depth charges on a strong sonar contact. Their damaged victim, the U-434, was forced to surface, following which, according to Blankney’s captain, they witnessed a gallant ‘last stand’ made by one of the U-boat’s officers:
‘The submarine’s crew, however, were clear of the conning tower before they could be prevented from emerging, and jumped overboard, except for one officer, who very courageously continued firing the gun. He was the only officer who was not rescued and is believed to have been the First Lieutenant. The U-boat swung stern on and unfortunately I was too late deciding not to ram, but to board, and caught her a glancing blow which damaged Blankney on the port side. It did, however, throw the officer in the U-boat off his aim and his last round went through my ensign instead of through the ship.’
Blankney lowered her whaler with a boarding party but demolition charges had already been set in the stricken U-boat and she blew up and sank, with a loss of four of her crew. The remainder were picked up by Blankney.
Masters received his D.S.M. at a Buckingham Palace investiture on 27 October 1942.
Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (JX.226468 G. E. B. H. Masters. A/L.S.) impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted court-style for display, good very fine (6) £800-£1,000
---
Importation Duty
This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK
---
---
D.S.M. London Gazette 17 March 1942: ‘For skill and enterprise in action against enemy submarines,’
The original recommendation states:
‘As the Ship’s Higher Submarine Detector, Acting Leading Seaman Masters was operating the A./S. set during the actions of 17 and 18 December, which resulted in the sinking of the U-131 and U-434 respectively. On 17 December his operating was excellent and an attack made on a fair contact was most probably that which caused the U-131 to surface, enabling her to be sunk by gunfire. On 18 December his operating was again excellent and his coolness when the gyro-compass broke down and his skill in holding contact in spite of the disturbance caused by 22 depth charges, made it possible to carry out the attack which caused the U-434 to surface and subsequently to sink.’
George Edward Bucc Harvey Masters was awarded an immediate D.S.M. for the above cited deeds in December 1941. At the time Blankney was part of the 12th Escort Group, based at Derry in Northern Ireland, but she was ordered to reinforce Commander ‘Johnny’ Walker’s escorts for the homeward bound convoy HG 76 from Gibraltar.
On 17 December 1941, a Martlet from H.M.S. Avenger spotted a surfaced U-boat - the U-131 - and Walker ordered his convoy escorts to make haste to the reported position, Blankney being the first to arrive on the scene and carry out a depth charge attack. That attack was followed up by the Penstemon, with 10 depth charges set at 150-400 feet, and these latter had the desired effect, for at length the U-131 was compelled to surface. Her appearance was greeted by another Marlet from Avenger, which roared in and strafed her but the pilot was fatally wounded by return fire and crashed into the sea. Before long, however, five convoy escorts arrived on the scene and the U-boat skipper ordered his crew to scuttle and abandon ship. He, and 43 of his crew, were subsequently picked up, whilst Blankney recovered the body of the Martlet’s pilot.
The very next morning, at about 0900 hours, another surfaced U-boat was spotted and Blankney joined the Stanley in an attack, in her case firing a total of 12 depth charges on a strong sonar contact. Their damaged victim, the U-434, was forced to surface, following which, according to Blankney’s captain, they witnessed a gallant ‘last stand’ made by one of the U-boat’s officers:
‘The submarine’s crew, however, were clear of the conning tower before they could be prevented from emerging, and jumped overboard, except for one officer, who very courageously continued firing the gun. He was the only officer who was not rescued and is believed to have been the First Lieutenant. The U-boat swung stern on and unfortunately I was too late deciding not to ram, but to board, and caught her a glancing blow which damaged Blankney on the port side. It did, however, throw the officer in the U-boat off his aim and his last round went through my ensign instead of through the ship.’
Blankney lowered her whaler with a boarding party but demolition charges had already been set in the stricken U-boat and she blew up and sank, with a loss of four of her crew. The remainder were picked up by Blankney.
Masters received his D.S.M. at a Buckingham Palace investiture on 27 October 1942.
Auction Details
Shipping
T&Cs & Important Info
Ask seller a question
A Second War anti-U-boat operations D.S.M. group of six awarded to Acting Leading Seaman G. E. B. H. Masters, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his vital role in H.M.S. Blankney at the destruction of the U-131 and U-434 in December 1941
Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (JX.226468 G. E. B. H. Masters. A/L.S.) impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted court-style for display, good very fine (6) £800-£1,000
---
Importation Duty
This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK
---
---
D.S.M. London Gazette 17 March 1942: ‘For skill and enterprise in action against enemy submarines,’
The original recommendation states:
‘As the Ship’s Higher Submarine Detector, Acting Leading Seaman Masters was operating the A./S. set during the actions of 17 and 18 December, which resulted in the sinking of the U-131 and U-434 respectively. On 17 December his operating was excellent and an attack made on a fair contact was most probably that which caused the U-131 to surface, enabling her to be sunk by gunfire. On 18 December his operating was again excellent and his coolness when the gyro-compass broke down and his skill in holding contact in spite of the disturbance caused by 22 depth charges, made it possible to carry out the attack which caused the U-434 to surface and subsequently to sink.’
George Edward Bucc Harvey Masters was awarded an immediate D.S.M. for the above cited deeds in December 1941. At the time Blankney was part of the 12th Escort Group, based at Derry in Northern Ireland, but she was ordered to reinforce Commander ‘Johnny’ Walker’s escorts for the homeward bound convoy HG 76 from Gibraltar.
On 17 December 1941, a Martlet from H.M.S. Avenger spotted a surfaced U-boat - the U-131 - and Walker ordered his convoy escorts to make haste to the reported position, Blankney being the first to arrive on the scene and carry out a depth charge attack. That attack was followed up by the Penstemon, with 10 depth charges set at 150-400 feet, and these latter had the desired effect, for at length the U-131 was compelled to surface. Her appearance was greeted by another Marlet from Avenger, which roared in and strafed her but the pilot was fatally wounded by return fire and crashed into the sea. Before long, however, five convoy escorts arrived on the scene and the U-boat skipper ordered his crew to scuttle and abandon ship. He, and 43 of his crew, were subsequently picked up, whilst Blankney recovered the body of the Martlet’s pilot.
The very next morning, at about 0900 hours, another surfaced U-boat was spotted and Blankney joined the Stanley in an attack, in her case firing a total of 12 depth charges on a strong sonar contact. Their damaged victim, the U-434, was forced to surface, following which, according to Blankney’s captain, they witnessed a gallant ‘last stand’ made by one of the U-boat’s officers:
‘The submarine’s crew, however, were clear of the conning tower before they could be prevented from emerging, and jumped overboard, except for one officer, who very courageously continued firing the gun. He was the only officer who was not rescued and is believed to have been the First Lieutenant. The U-boat swung stern on and unfortunately I was too late deciding not to ram, but to board, and caught her a glancing blow which damaged Blankney on the port side. It did, however, throw the officer in the U-boat off his aim and his last round went through my ensign instead of through the ship.’
Blankney lowered her whaler with a boarding party but demolition charges had already been set in the stricken U-boat and she blew up and sank, with a loss of four of her crew. The remainder were picked up by Blankney.
Masters received his D.S.M. at a Buckingham Palace investiture on 27 October 1942.
Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (JX.226468 G. E. B. H. Masters. A/L.S.) impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted court-style for display, good very fine (6) £800-£1,000
---
Importation Duty
This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK
---
---
D.S.M. London Gazette 17 March 1942: ‘For skill and enterprise in action against enemy submarines,’
The original recommendation states:
‘As the Ship’s Higher Submarine Detector, Acting Leading Seaman Masters was operating the A./S. set during the actions of 17 and 18 December, which resulted in the sinking of the U-131 and U-434 respectively. On 17 December his operating was excellent and an attack made on a fair contact was most probably that which caused the U-131 to surface, enabling her to be sunk by gunfire. On 18 December his operating was again excellent and his coolness when the gyro-compass broke down and his skill in holding contact in spite of the disturbance caused by 22 depth charges, made it possible to carry out the attack which caused the U-434 to surface and subsequently to sink.’
George Edward Bucc Harvey Masters was awarded an immediate D.S.M. for the above cited deeds in December 1941. At the time Blankney was part of the 12th Escort Group, based at Derry in Northern Ireland, but she was ordered to reinforce Commander ‘Johnny’ Walker’s escorts for the homeward bound convoy HG 76 from Gibraltar.
On 17 December 1941, a Martlet from H.M.S. Avenger spotted a surfaced U-boat - the U-131 - and Walker ordered his convoy escorts to make haste to the reported position, Blankney being the first to arrive on the scene and carry out a depth charge attack. That attack was followed up by the Penstemon, with 10 depth charges set at 150-400 feet, and these latter had the desired effect, for at length the U-131 was compelled to surface. Her appearance was greeted by another Marlet from Avenger, which roared in and strafed her but the pilot was fatally wounded by return fire and crashed into the sea. Before long, however, five convoy escorts arrived on the scene and the U-boat skipper ordered his crew to scuttle and abandon ship. He, and 43 of his crew, were subsequently picked up, whilst Blankney recovered the body of the Martlet’s pilot.
The very next morning, at about 0900 hours, another surfaced U-boat was spotted and Blankney joined the Stanley in an attack, in her case firing a total of 12 depth charges on a strong sonar contact. Their damaged victim, the U-434, was forced to surface, following which, according to Blankney’s captain, they witnessed a gallant ‘last stand’ made by one of the U-boat’s officers:
‘The submarine’s crew, however, were clear of the conning tower before they could be prevented from emerging, and jumped overboard, except for one officer, who very courageously continued firing the gun. He was the only officer who was not rescued and is believed to have been the First Lieutenant. The U-boat swung stern on and unfortunately I was too late deciding not to ram, but to board, and caught her a glancing blow which damaged Blankney on the port side. It did, however, throw the officer in the U-boat off his aim and his last round went through my ensign instead of through the ship.’
Blankney lowered her whaler with a boarding party but demolition charges had already been set in the stricken U-boat and she blew up and sank, with a loss of four of her crew. The remainder were picked up by Blankney.
Masters received his D.S.M. at a Buckingham Palace investiture on 27 October 1942.
Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria
Sale Date(s)
Venue Address
16 Bolton Street
London
W1J 8BQ
United Kingdom
General delivery information available from the auctioneer
If you are successful in purchasing lot/s being auctioned by us and opt for the item/s to be sent to you, we will use the following methods of shipment:
Within the UK
If you live within the UK, items will be despatched using Royal Mail Special Delivery. This service provides parcel tracking (via the Royal Mail website) and next weekday delivery (betwen 9am and 1pm). Items delivered within the UK are covered by our insurance company. Heavy and bulky lots will be sent by courier, in discussion with the client.
Outside of the UK
If the item/s being sent are worth under £1000 in total they are sent using Royal Mail’s Signed For International service. This ensures the item must be signed for when it is delivered.
If the item/s being sent are valued at over £1000 in total they will be sent using FedEx. This service allows next day delivery to customers in many parts of the US and parcels are fully trackable using the FedEx website.
Shipping Exceptions
Certain lots such as those containing glass or sharp implements, etc., may not be suitable for in-house shipping within or outside of the UK. Please contact Noonans with any queries.
Important Information
Auctioneer's Buyers Premium: 24% (+VAT)
There is an additional charge of 4.95% (+VAT/sales tax)
