Orders, Decorations and Medals

A ‘Sinking of the Scharnhorst’ D.S.M. group of ten awarded to Mechanician A. H. Mortimore, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Mech., D/K.30327); British War and Victory Medals (K.30327 Sto.1 R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; War Medal; Jubilee 1935; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue with fixed suspension (K.30327 A/Mech. H.M.S. Norfolk) together with a good quantity of original documents, including Certificatew of Service, various Trade and Qualification Certificates and a large coloured portrait photograph, the Great War pair worn through polishing, otherwise nearly very fine or better (10) £1000-1200

D.S.M. London Gazette 7 March 1944: ‘For gallantry, distinguished service and devotion to duty in H.M. Ships... Duke of York... during the action in which the Scharnhorst was engaged and sunk.’

In December 1943, as Flagship of Admiral Fraser, the Duke of York intercepted the Scharnhorst which was being engaged by the cruisers Belfast, Jamaica and Norfolk and escorting destroyers. During a night action the Scharnhorst received at least four torpedo hits when under fire from the Duke of York, and was sunk. She sailed for Japan after the surrender of Germany and was Flagship of Admiral Fraser in Tokyo Bay for the surrender of Japan.

Albert Henry Mortimore was born at Calstock, Gunnislake, Cornwall, on 1 January 1898, a tin miner before he joined the Royal Navy in January 1916. During the Great War he served aboard H.M.S. Active, and at the outbreak of the Second War he was serving in Defiance which he left in April 1940 to join the carrier Illustrious. He was granted a Hurt Certificate for wounds received in action on 10 January 1941, when Illustrious received six heavy bomb hits during heavy German and Italian air attacks. After recovering from his wounds and a spell ashore, Mortimore joined the Duke of York in March 1942 and served aboard her until February 1944, taking part in the action against the Scharnhorst on 26 December 1943.