An exceptional Second World War D.S.M. and Bar group of seven awarded to Temporary Sub-Lieutenant A. J. Thomas, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, formerly Officer’s Steward, mentioned in despatches and decorated with the D.S.M. for gallantry during the withdrawals from Greece and Crete, awarded a bar to his D.S.M. and a second mention for gallantry whilst serving as a canoeist with Combined Operations Pilotage Parties on beach reconnaissance missions in Italy and the Far East

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar (P/SR. A. J. Thomas, So. Std.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Italy Star; War Medal, mounted as worn, good very fine and very rare (7) £3000-4000

M.I.D. London Gazette 11 November 1941: Officer’s Steward Alfred James Thomas, H.M.S. Salvia. ‘For gallantry and distinguished services in operations in Greek waters.’

D.S.M. London Gazette 8 January 1942: Officer’s Steward, H.M.S. Salvia. ‘For outstanding gallantry, fortitude and resolution during the Battle of Crete.’ The following citation is taken from Admiralty records: ‘This rating has continuously shown great devotion to duty, manning his guns during all attacks and was one of the two ratings who volunteered to remain and man the guns whilst the vessel was at the quay, permission having been given by the Naval Officer I/C Suda Bay for the remainder of the crew not necessary on board to go to shelters near the quay during machine gunning and bombing attacks.’

Bar to D.S.M. London Gazette 7 December 1943: Acting Temporary Leading Seaman, D.S.M. ‘For great bravery and enterprise.’ Seedies Roll states: ‘Pilotage Parties - Special Reconnaissance Sicily and Italy, May 1943.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 23 October 1945: Temporary Sub-Lieutenant, R.N.V.R., H.M.S. Copra (Naval Party 775 - COPP 3). Awarded for a clandestine beach reconnaissance during Operation ‘Confidence’ off the Malayan Coast 10 June to 22 August 1945. Four two-man canoes were launched from H.M. Submarine Seadog on the night of 9th/10th June, Sub-Lieutenant Thomas being in charge of the ‘Link’ canoe. Two of these canoe teams failed to rendezvous with either Thomas’s ‘Link’ canoe or the submarine but were later reported to be in safe hands. The following citation is taken from the official action report, copies of which accompany the group: ‘This officer was in charge of a canoe on a recent operation. He was responsible for maintaining contact with the submarine in addition to obtaining information and these duties he carried out efficiently under difficult circumstances. Throughout the operation he displayed a high degree of courage.’

Originally termed Beach Reconnaissance Assault Pilotage Parties (Commandos), these units, because of the highly secret nature of their work, were designated Combined Operations Pilotage Parties, or COPPs. The officer responsible for their inception was Captain Nigel Clogstoun-Willmot, D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N., who, after twice volunteering for special service, was appointed Navigating Officer to the Force Commander of an assault force assigned to carry out a raid on the island of Rhodes in the spring of 1941. In his own words, ‘despite air reconnaissance it was plain that disaster was on the cards since no one could tell what the beaches were like (bars etc) and the charts differed in places by a mile from one another. I felt that someone who knew what he was about should have a look-see and draw up sailing directions, sketches etc. The Army also were keen to know about exits and to be landed accurately. Most landing craft being armoured had not even got an accurate compass.’

Approximately 150 Bars were awarded to the D.S.M. during the Second World War, together with 3 second Bars and one third Bar.