Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An Immediate Second World War ‘evacuation from Greece and Crete’ D.S.M. group of nine awarded to Petty Officer Grig Buckler, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (P/233715 G. Buckler, P.O. H.M.S. Glenroy) impressed naming; 1914-15 Star (233715 G. Buckler. A.B. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (233715 G. Buckler. P.O. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals, mounted for wear, nearly very fine or better (9)
£1400-1600

Provenance: The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals, Part 1, Dix Noonan Webb, October 1996.

D.S.M. London Gazette 8 January 1942: ‘For outstanding gallantry, fortitude and resolution during the Battle of Crete.’

The following recommendation was extracted from Admiralty records:

‘(a) Greece. Was P.O. of Glenroy’s beach party at Magara on 24th April when about 100 nurses and 3500 troops including many wounded were embarked in S.S. Thurland Castle.

(b) Crete. After the evacuation from Greece, Glenroy’s boats and beach party remained in Crete under the orders of S.N.O.I.C. Suda Bay and were used in the evacuation of Crete. Prior to the evacuation they were employed in water transport of stores and troops chiefly at Suda Bay often under very difficult conditions due to enemy air raids. Throughout this time P.O. Buckler took charge of the regulating and the organisation of this work including the supervision of beach parties on piers and beaches.

Though a pensioner and therefore comparatively old, P.O. Buckler was throughout an outstanding example of cheerfulness and work. His conduct has been specially noted and reported to me by my Senior Boat Officer and also my R.N.V.R. boat officers.’

The Distinguished Service Medal was presented by King George VI at Buckingham Palace on 20 July 1943. Accompanying research includes relevant photocopied items including a photograph of H.M.S. Glenroy.