Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Able Seaman R. Hatton, Royal Navy, who was Mentioned in Despatches for his services in H.M.S. Glasgow during Operation Neptune, the D-Day landings

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (J.114805 R. Hatton. A.B., H.M.S. Victory) very fine (6) £160-£200

M.I.D. London Gazette 28 November 1944.

The recommendation, originally for a D.S.M., states: ‘For outstanding zeal and devotion to duty during the operation and in the many experiences prior to the operation. He was at his post almost continuously for the first three days of the operation without relief. During this time he showed great fortitude, willingness, was always cheerful and carried out his duties in a most efficient manner.’

Richard Hatton, a fitters boy from Warwick, was born on 6 October 1909. Enlisting in the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 21 August 1925, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 28 February 1942, and served in H.M.S. Glasgow during Operation Neptune, the D-Day landings. Afterwards on 25 June, when in the company of several United States warships, Glasgow received hits from shore batteries during the naval bombardment of Cherbourg. For his gallantry during the landings he was recommended by Captain C. P. Clarke for an operational decoration(presumably the D.S.M.); this was subsequently downgraded to a Mention in Despatches. He was shore pensioned 30 November 1949.