The James Fox Collection of Naval Awards

A superb Second War 1944 Coastal Force ‘Dog Boat’ D.S.M. group of five awarded to Leading Seaman D. Falk, Royal Navy: wounded and forced to abandon ship after an action with 11 enemy E-Boats off Le Havre on 9 July 1944, he swam 600 yards, despite shrapnel wounds to both his shoulder and thigh, to tow a life raft back to five of his crewmates; after 4 hours in the water they were rescued, but despite Falk’s efforts two of them died of their wounds later that night

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (A.B., D. Falk. C/JX. 366014); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted for wear, nearly extremely fine (5) £1,800-£2,200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The James Fox Collection of Naval Awards.

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D.S.M. London Gazette 5 December 1944:
‘For great bravery in fire-fighting when a Light Craft was set on fire in action.’

Donald Falk served during the Second War manning the twin Vickers machine guns on Motor Torpedo Boat 434, for the duration of its life - from her completion in January 1943 as MGB 115 (later re-designated MTB 434, under the command of Sub-Lieutenant E. A. Archer) to 9 July 1944; on the latter date, as part of the 1st MTB Flotilla, Falk’s crew set off for Le Havre which was still in enemy hands.

‘On the way over the Skipper told us “E” Boats would be coming out “10 at a time”. We were only 2 MTBs. We reached Le Havre at 10:00 a.m. and we had not long to wait. Eleven “E” Boats came out and we immediately attacked them. Eleven to two we did not stand much chance. The gun fire was furious, and we were hit repeatedly. Our boat caught fire. The Skipper shouted “Abandon Ship”. Our other MTB picked up a few of our survivors from the sea. The “E” Boats were still firing on them and they had to leave five of us behind in the water’ (recipient’s account refers).

Wounded by enemy shrapnel in the left thigh and shoulder, Falk was one of the five left behind in the sea. ‘After a short while we spotted a life raft in the water approximately 600 yards away. As I was the only swimmer out of the five of us I was the only one with a chance to swim for it. I had no life jacket - the last one had been taken by a non-swimmer. I reached the raft and managed to tow it back to the others - at least then they had something to cling to. We were in the sea for approximately 4 hours before we were picked up by a Canadian MTB’ (ibid).

Arriving back in base the five sailors, four of whom were wounded, were put on board a hospital ship, although two would die that night as a result of their wounds. Falk survived and was awarded the D.S.M. for his gallantry during this action, prior to being discharged at the end of the War.

Sold with the recipient’s Certificate of Wounds and Hurts, and a hand-written personal account of the D.S.M. action.

M.I.D. unconfirmed.