Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War ‘anti-aircraft’ D.S.M. group of five awarded to Seaman F. R. Burgess, Royal Navy, who was decorated when H.M.T. Rinovia was attacked by air in the Western Channel in July 1940, and managed to shoot down one of her attackers

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (JX. 197294 F. R. Burgess. Smn. H.M.T. Rinovia.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 copy clasp, France & Germany; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; together with the recipient’s Patrol Service badge, surface scratches and edge bruises to first, generally very fine (5) £800-£1,200

D.S.M. London Gazette 4 October 1940:
‘For good services when attacked by enemy aircraft.’

Frederick Ronald Burgess served in Rinovia, a 429 ton Grimsby trawler, built in 1931 and requisitioned by the Royal Navy in August 1939 and fitted as a minesweeper. She was employed in sweeping mines in the western Channel. On 19 July 1940 she was the target of an air attack, but survived, shooting down one of her attackers, during which Burgess distinguished himself and was recognised with the D.S.M. On 2 November 1940 she detonated a mine when 2.9 miles south-south-east of St. Anthony Point, Falmouth and sank, with 14 casualties.