The James Fox Collection of Naval Awards

A Second War 1942 Malta ‘Immediate’ D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Stoker Petty Officer A. A. Gill, Royal Navy, for his gallantry during the bombing and sinking of H.M.S. Maori in the Grand Harbour, Valetta, on 12 February 1942

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (K.63381 A.A. Gill S.P.O.); 1939-1945 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (K.63381 A. A. Gill. S.P.O. H.M.S. Defiance.) mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (7) £2,000-£2,400

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 12 May 1942.

The original Recommendation, dated 20 February 1942, states: ‘When His Majesty’s Ship Maori was hit by a bomb at about 0115 on 12 February 1942, this rating was in charge of one of the Fire Parties under Chief Stoker Worrall. He showed great determination and courage in his efforts to check the spread of fire. When it became evident that further efforts in this direction were useless, he assisted in the shutting of water-tight doors and the lowering of boats. He was one of the last to leave the ship. He conducted himself throughout with exceptional zeal and devotion to duty and showed no regard for his personal safety when in great danger of being hit by splinters from exploding ready-use ammunition, thereby setting a fine example in accordance with the highest traditions of the Service.’

H.M.S. Maori (destroyer) served during the Second World War as part of the Mediterranean Fleet; she had been earlier involved in the pursuit and destruction of the German battleship Bismarck in May 1941, and served with the 14th Destroyer Flotilla during the Battle of Cape Bon in December 1941.

The Maori (Commander R. E. Courage, RN) was attacked by German aircraft and sank at her moorings in the Malta Grand Harbour on 12 February 1942; the commanding officer’s report adding the following:
‘H.M.S. Maori, while lying at No. 3 Buoy, Grand Harbour, was hit by a bomb in the Engine Room and Gearing Room... The attack was unexpected as the aircraft was not engaged by any ship or shore battery, with the result that nearly all the Officers and Ship’s Company were asleep at the time. A large fire developed rapidly in the vicinity of the Gearing Room, separating the Officers, who were all in the after part of the ship, from the Ship’s Company; and this fire grew and spread to the ready use ammunition lockers on the after superstructure, causing continuous explosions with flying splinters as round after round of ammunition exploded. Finally, a large explosion took place, probably caused by the Depth Charges in the War Head Magazine... The fact that the Officers were aft and the Ships Company forward, threw the responsibility of initiating the fighting of the fire onto the senior ratings. Chief Stoker C. J. Worrall... and Stoker Petty Officer A. Gill... showed outstanding efficiency and zeal and courage in organising and carrying out this duty.’

Miraculously, despite the loss of the ship, only one of the crew was killed. Maori was raised and scuttled off Malta on 15 July 1945; located a few hundred metres off the shore of Valletta, she is now a popular dive site.

Sold with a contemporary H.M.S. Maori Christmas Card, inscribed ‘To My Darling Wife, Your Loving Hubby, with the Seasons Compliments, xxx’; and copied research.