Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An exceptional Second War Immediate D.S.M. group of five awarded to Leading Seaman Charles W. Urry for gallantry when H.M. Submarine Shark was sunk by enemy action in circumstances that the Admiralty considered “can hardly be equalled in the history of submarines”

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (L.S. C. W. Urry, P/J.101583) engraved naming; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (J101583 C. W. Urry. A.B. H.M.S. Shark) mounted for wear, extremely fine (5) £2,400-£2,800

Dix Noonan Webb, June 1998.

D.S.M. London Gazette 21 August 1945: ‘For gallantry and devotion to duty in His Majesty’s Submarine SHARK on 6th July 1940 when she was forced to surface through damage sustained in an air attack and then attacked continuously from the air for over three hours, until, all ammunition having been expended, she was scuttled to prevent capture by the enemy.’

The following details are taken from the recommendations for Honours and Awards to personnel ex H.M. Submarine Shark which was sunk by enemy action on 6 July 1940:

‘In heavy weather some 30 miles S.W. of Skudesness H.M. Submarine SHARK was surfaced to recharge her batteries nearly exhausted by the long dive during the drawn-out summer day. Half an hour later an enemy aircraft was sighted and the submarine was dived. The ensuing attack damaged one screw and the rudder, and caused a leak aft which eventually forced the submarine to surface. It was soon apparent that she could neither submerge nor steer a steady course and preparations were therefore made to fight it out whatever came along; aircraft being the expected opponents. All available H.E. ammunition was brought on deck, the 3” gun, Lewis gun and all available rifles brought up and kept ready for use.

At about midnight the expected attack began and for more than 3 hours the submarine was subjected to vicious attacks by sea-planes, bombers and fighters, culminating in 4 Me.109’s subjecting the personnel on bridge and casing to a devastating attack with cannon and machine gun fire which caused many casualties.

Despite fire below and rising water in the Engine Room, the ship’s company fought on and had the great satisfaction of seeing one aircraft retire from the fray in a badly damaged condition. Although realising that the situation was quite hopeless fire was maintained until all the ammunition was expended.

The gallantry and fortitude of this company in such bad conditions as were contended with during those hours [...] can hardly be equalled in the history of submarines, and the attached recommendations are most wholeheartedly concurred in.

“Leading Seaman Charles William Urry: Devotion to duty as a member of the gun’s crew. When the gunlayer went on to the bridge to man the Lewis gun, Urry took over the duties of gunlayer of the 3” gun and fired H.E. continuously throughout the night in an attempt to frighten the enemy aircraft.”’

The surviving crew of the Shark spent the remainder of the War in captivity, Leading Seaman Urry being held in Stalag IXC at Marlag. He was liberated on 2 May 1945, when the full story of the Shark’s ordeal became apparent in the report compiled by her skipper, Lieutenant-Commander P. N. Buckley. The resulting awards included the D.S.O. for the skipper, D.S.C.s for two officers, and six D.S.M.s.

Charles William Urry was born at Gosport, Hampshire, on 27 November 1905. He entered the Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Impregnable on 23 August 1920. He volunteered for submarines on 14 October 1936. Following training (for which he achieved 85.5%) and as additional crew at Dolphin Urry was lent to the submarine Otway on 10 November 1936 for nine days. After his appointment as additional crew at Dolphin, he returned to Otway on 20 November 1936 until 3 April 1937, when he was once more additional crew. On 1 July 1938, Urry joined H.M.S/m Shark and was presented with his L.S. & G.C. medal on 27 November 1938. Passing for Petty Officer in March 1940, he was taken prisoner of war after Shark was sunk by German sea and air craft in July 1940, being imprisoned at Stalag IXC at Marlag, Germany, for the duration of the war and eventually repatriated at Portsmouth on 18 August 1945

Sold with case of issue for D.S.M.; named card box of issue for Second War medals addressed to the recipient, with Admiralty enclosure; Admiralty letter announcing the award of the D.S.M.; photograph of the recipient on the conning tower of Shark; news cutting with photograph; two identity tags; Stalag IXC Prisoner of War camp identity tag; P.O.W. camp Christmas Cards for 1941 and 1942, both addressed to his wife, and two others. Together with copied research including full record of service, Submarine card, and accounts of the loss of the Shark by her skipper and other publications.