Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A unique Second War D.S.M. group of nine awarded to Acting Temporary Sub-Lieutenant R. E. Harris, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (JX.320955 R. E. Harris A.B.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France & Germany; Burma Star, 1 clasp, Pacific; Defence and War Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, S.E. Asia 1945-46 (P/JX.320955 R. E. Harris. D.S.M. Ldg. Smn. R.N.); Efficiency Medal, Territorial, G.VI.R., 2nd issue (JK 320955. A.B. R. E. Harris (D.S.M.) R.N.) minor official correction; France, Third Republic, Croix de Guerre 1939-1940, mounted as worn, good very fine

Dix Noonan Webb, March 2000.

D.S.M. London Gazette 24 February 1942: ‘For resource and devotion to duty.’ Seedies roll states for services aboard H.M.S. Royal Eagle when mined on 4 January 1942, and successfully brought to port.

Royal Eagle was a former Thames Paddle Steamer which had a distinguished war record, especially in the evacuation of troops from Dunkirk in 1940. Harris served aboard her from December 1941 to May 1942.

M.I.D. London Gazette 3 March 1943.

Efficiency Medal, Territorial, confirmed 27 February 1944. It is believed that only 26 were awarded to the Royal Navy, only Harris receiving the D.S.M. in addition.

Richard Ernest Harris was born at Dawdon, Durham, on 24 May 1918. He volunteered for service in the Royal Navy on 29 December 1941, at which time he was allowed to count 2 years 119 days former Army Service towards pension and badges. He was previously a fitter and draughtsman and served in the navy as a Radar specialist. He was commissioned Acting Temporary Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on 30 March 1946.

The group is sold with his original Certificate of Service which confirms all awards except the Croix de Guerre, various letters and documents, including one regarding his T.A. Efficiency Medal addressed to Captain Harris, and two French banknotes signed by the crew of ‘H.M.S. Waveny, D-Day, 6th June 1944, Bernieres sur Mer, 3rd Brigade, J2 Assault Group.’