Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce ‘Norway 1940’ D.S.M. group of four awarded to Able Seaman J. Mc C. Smith, Royal Navy, for attempting to save a life during an air-raid on Harstad, near Narvik

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (JX. 138633 J. Mc C. Smith. A.B. H.M.S. Delight.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal, contact marks, nearly very fine (4) £1200-1400

D.S.M. London Gazette 26 December 1940: ‘For services in Norway.’

The original recommendation states:

‘On the evening of Monday, May 20th, during an air-raid on Harstad, a splinter of a bomb killed the bowman of the Delight’s motor boat which was alongside the Balteako drawing provisions. Owing to being holed, the Balteako proceeded to beach herself and the motor boat went adrift. Able Seaman Smith, one of the Delight’s provision party, lowered himself by a rope into a skiff and followed by J. A. Smith, 2nd Class Steward of the Balteako, managed to reach the motor boat before the skiff - also damaged - sank. The raid was still in progress and the attempt at rescue made against the advice of Balteako’s officers. The man they were attempting to assist was found to be dead.’

During the Norwegian Campaign, Delight escorted the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Furious as she returned to Scapa Flow on 25 April to replenish her aircraft. On 1 May, she ferried troops to the light cruisers H.M.S. Manchester and H.M.S. Birmingham of the 18th Cruiser Squadron during the evacuation from Åndalsnes. Delight supported the Allied troops on 27–28 May as they recaptured Narvik before she was sent to Bodø the next day to investigate reports of a German amphibious landing. Over the next two nights, the ship and seven other destroyers evacuated British troops from Bodø. On 7–8 June, Delight escorted a troop convoy evacuating Allied troops from Narvik. Delight was sunk by JU 87s in the English Channel on 29 July 1940, with the loss of six men in the attack.

The S.S. Balteako belonged to the Anglo-Latvian Shipping Company of London. Assistant Steward J. A. Smith was subsequently awarded the British Empire Medal for his services on the same occasion.