Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War submariner’s D.S.M. group of five awarded to Petty Officer (Torpedo Gunner’s Mate) G. W. Butler, Royal Navy, for good services in H.M. Submarine Tribune during patrols in 1940, but more specifically on the occasion of her attack on U-56 in September 1940 when it was believed to have been sunk

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (J.110779 G. W. Butler. P.O. R.N.) impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45, these three all privately named ‘J.110779 P.O. George W. Butler D.S.M. R.N. H.M. Submarine’; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (J.110779 G. W. Butler. P.O. H.M.S. Forth.) mounted as worn, the last with an edge bruise, otherwise good very fine (5) £1,000-£1,400

D.S.M. London Gazette 12 November 1940: ‘For good service in recent patrols. - Petty Officer George William Butler.’

The recommendation states:

‘George William Butler, Petty Officer T.G.M. P/J.110779.
For promptness in bringing the torpedo armament to the ready and speed in carrying out the many changes of orders for the torpedoes necessitated by the nature of the attack.’

One of 4 D.S.M.’s awarded to Tribune on this occasion. The commanding officer Lieutenant E. F. Balston received the D.S.O., and Lieutenant J. C. Ogle the D.S.C., six ratings also being mentioned in despatches.

In his patrol report Lieutenant Balston describes the attack against a submerged U-boat on 6 September 1940, and is convinced of a successful ‘kill’:

‘0633 There was some evidence from adsics that we had been fired at, possibly three torpedoes, but these were never heard to detonate. Very loud water noises were heard close ahead in three distinct waves. The operator described these as ”rushes of water similar to that heard on firing torpedoes”. (In this connection I think the target, although knowing we were close, had no very exact idea of our whereabouts. This might account for him being as shallow as he was when we fired.) During this time TRIBUNE was stopped deep.
0637 Came up to 60ft, target right ahead range 1000yds. I was still trying to predict the movement of the target acrioss my bow and at 0638, range 700yds closing, this was 2º a minute from port to starboard.
0640 Fired two torpedoes at 4 second interval set to 44ft and 38ft, depth of submarine 70ft, using centre of asdic target as point of aim. Twenty five seconds after first torpedo there was a violent explosion and all H.E. immediately ceased. The second torpedo detonated eight minutes later having run off its range. Came to periscope depth after first explosion, nothing in sight.
0655 Surfaced to look for evidence. A considerable quantity of oil was visible on the surface and a sock and a glove and what may have been a coat were seen, but could not be found again after turning and it is doubtful if these could have been recovered as it was too rough to put a man over the side.
0715 Dived and carried out asdic search but nothing could be located.
0813 Surfaced to carry out further search. Oil on the surface was more widespread, long streaks tailing to leeward, and a patch of heavy brown sludge about six feet in diameter was seen to come to the surface close to the bow. The Engineer Officer stated this was what might be expected from the bottom of a fuel tank. I also saw a seagull soaked with oil trying to take off from the sea but obviously unable to do so.
0905 Abandoned search and proceeded.
Weather: Wind force 5 to 6 from west. Sea rough.’

In forwarding his recommendations for awards, Vice-Admiral Sir Max Horton emphasised to the Naval Secretary to First Lord of Admiralty, Rear-Admiral E.N. Syfret, ‘I have no doubt that the U-boat was sunk.’

However, it later transpired that according to German records the only U-boat operating in that area had been the U-56, but she reported no attack and survived until April 1945, when she was scuttled at Kiel after being damaged by U.S. bombs. It is now an accepted fact that Tribune did not sink a U-boat on this occasion and her early history should read as below.

H.M. Submarine Tribune was launched in December 1938 and completed in October 1939. Her first active service patrols took her to Norwegian waters where, on 6 January 1940, she fired 6 torpedoes against an enemy submarine in the Skagerrak, about 15 nautical miles east-north-east of Skagen, Denmark, but without success. On 22 June 1940, she made another torpedo attack on an enemy merchant vessel off Standlandet, Norway, but all torpedoes missed. On 6 September 1940, she attacked the German U-56 about 15 nautical miles north-east of St Kilda, Hebrides, but the two torpedoes fired both missed their target.

Sold with copied recommendations and patrol report.