Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Battle of Crete D.S.M. awarded to Able Seaman E. H. Spooner, a survivor from H.M.S. Calcutta when she was sunk in May 1941

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (C/LD/X.3473 A.B. H.M.S. Calcutta) extremely fine £600-700

D.S.M. London Gazette 8 January 1942: ‘Able Seaman Eric Harold Spooner. For outstanding gallantry, fortitude and resolution during the battle of Crete.’

The Immediate Recommendation for Decoration states: “For conspicuous devotion to duty and inspired leadership on the occasion of H.M.S. Calcutta being sunk by enemy action.”

Eric Harold Spooner was a pre-war R.N.V.R. rating and member of the London Division Anti-Aircraft unit, embarked in H.M.S. Calcutta on 25 August 1939. This anti-aircraft cruiser, commanded by Captain D. M. Lees, D.S.O., took part in the operations connected with the withdrawal of British and Greek forces from Crete in May 1941. The evacuation commenced on the night of the 29th, and on the two following nights, and was carried out by the Royal Navy, with very little loss considering the strength of the enemy air forces engaged. The distance between the Egyptian ports to which the troops were taken and Crete was 360 miles, and the number of troops evacuated was over 17,000. Calcutta, which carried a complement of 400, was bombed and sunk on the 29th, with the loss of two officers and 114 ratings, and two officers wounded.