Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Second World War destroyer operations D.S.M. and Bar, post-war B.E.M. group of seven awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer G. T. Foy, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his gallant services in the destroyer Nubian in the celebrated night action off Sfax in April 1941, and during the subsequent withdrawal from Crete operations when she had her stern blown off - but somehow made it back to Alexandria

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar (MX. 50866 G. T. Foy, E.R.A. 3, H.M.S. Nubian); British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 2nd issue (C.E.R.A. George T. Foy, D.S.M., P/MX. 50866); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue (MX. 50866 G. T. Foy, D.S.M., C.E.R.A., H.M.S. Victory), contact marks, generally very fine or better (7) £4000-5000

D.S.M. London Gazette 5 August 1941:

‘For coolness, skill and enterprise when an Italian convoy and its escorts were sunk between Sicily and Tripoli.’

The original recommendation states:

‘As senior Engine Room rating onboard, for his efficiency in handling his department.’

Bar to D.S.M. London Gazette 8 January 1942:

‘For outstanding gallantry, fortitude and resolution during the Battle of Crete.’

The original recommendation states:

‘For courage and initiative in assisting to extinguish a fire in the Wardroom, and investigating further damage in the after compartments. The ship was at the time being repeatedly bombed and the state of the magazines was not known.’

B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1952.

George Thompson Foy was born in Belfast in June 1912 and entered the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer 4th Class in August 1934. Transferring to the submarine branch in the same rate in October 1935, his subsequent appointments included the Oberon, but he reverted to general service prior to the outbreak of hostilities in September 1939.

Foy joined the destroyer Nubian in January 1940, and remained similarly employed until April 1942, in which period his ship saw extensive action, winning a remarkable tally of nine battle honours: Norway 1940, Calabria 1940, Mediterranean 1940-43, Libya 1940, Matapan 1941 Sfax 1941, Greece 1941, Crete 1941 and Malta Convoys 1941 - by the War’s end only two other ships had equalled the scale of Nubian’s battle honours.

But it was in particular for the action fought off Sfax and the Crete operations that Foy won his D.S.Ms, the former taking place on the night of 15-16 April 1941, when an Italian convoy was all but wiped out. His captain, Commander R. W. Ravenhill, R.N., reported:

‘0210: Opened fire on rear merchant vessel. This vessel was hit about third salvo, there was an explosion and a fire broke out aft. Shifted target to second from rear; and again to a small ship turning away to port. Both these ships were also repeatedly hit and were on fire. Checked fire to allow smoke to clear. Proceeded to head of convoy.

0223: Sighted one destroyer (Navigatori class) on opposite course, range about 1,000 yards on starboard beam.

0225: Increased speed and altered course towards and then away. Engaged destroyer with pom-pom, 0.5 M.G. and 4.7. Destroyer fired back and there was a short engagement which had to be terminated as Mohawk passed between Nubian and the enemy. Hits were definitely obtained under the bridge and on the hull aft.




0230: Crossed bow of leading merchant ship.

0236: Received V./S. signal from Mohawk (astern of Nubian about four cables). “Have been hit by torpedo.”

0237: Made signal to Captain (D.) 14 re. Mohawk. Sighted destroyer (one funnel) on port bow and engaged, several salvos were fired and she was repeatedly hit and caught fire. Turned and pursued merchant vessel making off to south westward. Engaged with 4.7 and hit, setting on fire. Turned to port and closed Mohawk.

0300: Stopped among Mohawk survivors.

0301: Proceeded 27 knots on report of sighting unknown vessel to the westward.

0307: Reported this unknown vessel to Captain (D.) 14. Turned to port and engaged unknown vessel, now identified as merchant ship. From subsequent information I consider this was probably an old wreck. Ceased fire when the vessel was seen to be on fire, and closed Mohawk. Janus closed merchant vessel to investigate.

0313 to 0405: Engine movements as required to pick up survivors.

0405: Proceeded 15 knots, increasing to 29 knots, course 080 degrees.’

Ravenhill recommended Foy for the D.S.M. his vital role in the Engine Room throughout the action.

In common with other destroyers of the 14th Destroyer Flotilla, Nubian was extensively employed in the subsequent operations leading to the withdrawal from Crete - hazardous operations that cost the Senior Service dearly. For her own part, Nubian was bombed and had her stern blown off on 26 May 1941, seven of her company being killed and another 12 wounded. Somehow, however, she crept back to Alexandria under escort, the Luftwaffe making further determined attacks on her but to no avail - this then the period in which Foy so gallantly fought flames and assessed damage in the after compartments, even though ‘the state of the magazines was unknown’.

He was recommended for the Bar to his D.S.M. on 2 June 1941.

On leaving Nubian, Foy was appointed an E.R.A. 2nd Class and held appointments in Drake and Victory prior to returning to sea in the period December 1942 to April 1944, when he served in the Nere out of Hartlepool and Londonderry. He next transferred, in the latter month, to the U.S.A. naval base Saker, and was advanced to Acting C.E.R.A. before removing to the frigate Tobago at the end of the year. His final wartime seagoing service was spent aboard the destroyer Zetland from February 1945.

Having then been released from the service in early 1946, he rejoined in March 1947, and was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in December 1949 and his B.E.M. while employed in the Reserve Fleet at Gareloch in 1952. Foy was finally pensioned ashore in December 1956.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including Buckingham Palace forwarding letter for his D.S.M. and Admiralty letter of notification for the award of his B.E.M., dated 1 January 1952; his Certificate of Service and Certificate of Trade and Engineering Experience (Engine Room Artificer); and a photograph of H.M. Submarine Oberon.