Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria to coincide with the OMRS Convention

A Second World War Submariner’s D.S.M. group of nine awarded to Leading Stoker J. H. King, Royal Navy, who served aboard H.M. Submarines Trident and Sportsman

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (K.52800 J. H. King, L. Sto. H.M.S. Trident); British War and Victory Medals (K.52800 Sto.2 R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal; Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (L.Sto. R.F.R.) together with original Certificate of Service, Buckingham Palace invitation and investiture tickets, and several copied photographs, including one of Sportsman signed by the Captain, nearly extremely fine (9) £1200-1400

D.S.M. London Gazette 27 January 1942: ‘For bravery, coolness and skill in successful submarine patrols. Leading Stoker James Henry King, H.M.S. Trident.’ Seedies Roll states ‘War Patrols from August to November 1941. Sank UJ-1201 off Soroysund, Norway, on 27 September 1941, and UJ-1213 off the north coast of Norway on 3 November 1941.’

The recommendation for awards to H.M.S/M.’s Tigris and Trident states: ‘These two submarines were the first to open up the North Russian patrol and they have each carried out three patrols. They have on no occasion come back empty handed and between the months of August and November they have sunk a total of eight ships, probably sinking another 6 or at the very least inflicting upon them serious damage. The success which has attended these patrols is doubly important since it has profoundly impressed the Russians and has spurred them on to even greater efforts themselves, the S.B.N.O. North Russia reporting that these submarines have received the warm approbation of the Commander in Chief, Northern Fleet.’

James Henry King was born at Brentford, Middlesex, on 18 July 1900. He volunteered for the Royal Navy on 30 July 1918, just in time to qualify for his Great War medals. He volunteered for service in submarines in July 1928, and served in Trident from 13 November 1939 to 10 October 1942. During this period he took part in numerous War Patrols and, in addition to the successes for wish he won the D.S.M., took part in an attack on a U-boat on 8 October 1940, and in the attacks on the Admiral Scheer and Prinz Eugen off Norway on 23 February 1942, during which Trident torpedoed and damaged the Prinz Eugen. From March to May 1942, Trident acted as submarine escort to Murmansk convoys.

From October 1942 he served on the P.229, and on 30 March 1943 he joined the Sportsman which had an active career in the Mediterranean. He left Sportsman in August 1944 and remained ashore until his release from the service on 12 September 1945. Sold with further research, including a recent letter from the wartime captain of Sportsman, Lieutenant Richard Gatehouse, D.S.C., Royal Navy.