Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War D.S.C. group of nine awarded to Commander P. W. A. O’Rorke, Royal Navy, for his services as Anti-Submarine Control Officer on board H.M.S. Isis at the destruction of the U-562 in the Mediterranean on 19 February 1943

Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1943 and hallmarked London 1942, in its Garrard & Co. Ltd. case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Pacific Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Near East (Cdr. P. W. A. O’Rorke. R.N.) good very fine (9) £1,000-£1,400

D.S.C. London Gazette 6 July 1943: ‘For courage and skill in successful actions against enemy submarines, while serving in H.M. Ships Pathfinder, Isis and Hursley.’

The recommendation states: ‘Lieutenant Philip William Alexander O’Rorke, R.N., H.M.S. Isis.

This Officer acted as A/S Control Officer during an attack on a U-Boat by H.M. Ships “ISIS” and “HURSLEY” on Friday 19th February, 1943, and as such most ably controlled the Asdics in H.M.S. “ISIS” and held contact with the Enemy throughout the hunt which lasted for two hours until the Enemy was destroyed.’

The German submarine U-562 was sunk in the Mediterranean north-east of Benghazi by depth charges from the destroyer H.M.S. Isis and the escort destroyer H.M.S. Hursley on 19 February 1943, after being located by a Wellington aircraft of 38 Squadron R.A.F.

M.I.D. London Gazette 25 January 1946: ‘For bravery, endurance and marked devotion to duty whilst serving in H.M. Ships... Isis... during the withdrawal of troops from Sungai Punggor and in the harassing of the advancing Japanese in Malaya, December, 1941-January, 1942.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 11 June 1946: ‘For distinguished service during the War in the Far East.’ Lieutenant P. W. A. O’Rorke was serving aboard the carrier H.M.S. Formidable.

Philip William Alexander O’Rorke was born in Fulham, London, on 22 January 1921, and was appointed Acting Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Navy on 1 September 1940. He served subsequently aboard the Destroyer Flotilla Leader H.M.S. Isis, 1941-43; Escort Carrier H.M.S. Begum, November-December 1943; and the Fleet Aircraft Carrier H.M.S. Formidable, 1944-45. Promoted to Commander in December 1954, he served during the operations in the Near East in 1956-57 aboard the carrier Ark Royal. After a posting with the Naval Future Policy Staff, 1965-69, he retired in the rank of Commander (acting Captain). He died in London in December 1995, aged 74

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