Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second War ‘Malta Convoy’ D.S.M. group of six awarded to Chief Stoker C. E. Hughes, Royal Navy, for his gallantry during the Second Battle of Sirte on 22 March 1942 when H.M.S. Kingston was hit by a 15-inch shell whilst escorting convoy MW10 from Alexandria to Malta; arriving in Malta he was wounded when the stricken Kingston was hit during an air raid on the Grand Harbour on 4 April 1942 and later sank; he had previously been recommended for the D.S.M. for his services in the same ship, for which he was ultimately Mentioned in Despatches

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (K.58629 W. C. Hughes. Ch. Sto.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, nearly extremely fine (6) £1,400-£1,800

D.S.M. London Gazette 8 September 1942:
‘For gallantry, skill and seamanship in H.M. Ships... Kingston... in a brilliant action against strong enemy forces which were driven off and severely damaged. This action resulted in the safe passage to Malta of an important convoy.’

The original Recommendation states: ‘For fine leadership, initiative and devotion to duty as senior rating of damage control parties when the ship was hit by a 15” shell. Through his efforts and organising ability a fire which might have proved serious was extinguished before it had a chance to get out of control.’

In his report to the Admiralty, Commander Philip Sommerville, D.S.O, D.S.C., R.N., records: ‘I have the honour to report my proceedings during and after the action between the convoy escort and enemy surface forces during the passage of convoy MW10 from Alexandria to Malta. A Divisional torpedo attack was launched at an enemy battleship accompanied by three cruisers. These forces engaged the division with main and secondary armaments. At 18:46 on 22 March Kingston was hit by a 15-inch shell which passed through the whaler on the starboard side, through No. 2 Boiler Room intake and the S.R.E. Room, and exploded under the port Oerlikon platform. Shortly after managing a turn to fire our torpedoes the ship stopped. Before the enemy battleship passed out of view she was seen to be on fire forward and the explosion of one torpedo was observed. The widespread damage to Kingston was quickly got under control by prompt and resourceful action by all hands. The fire in the S.R.E. Room was extinguished remarkably quickly. Nearly all the torpedo tubes crew were killed or wounded and on the 4-inch gun deck no one escaped injury. Casualties were also sustained on the Oerlikon and searchlight platforms and at ‘X’ gun. One officer and fourteen ratings were killed and one officer and twenty ratings wounded. By 19:05 the Kingston was able to proceed on the starboard engine at 16 knots which later increased to 20 knots. I proceeded independently to Malta. I entered Malta Harbour at 08:38 on 23 March.’

M.ID. London Gazette 11 June 1942:
‘For services aboard H.M.S. Kingston’ (downgraded D.S.M. recommendation).

Edward Charles Hughes was born in Hackney, London, on 21 January 1902 and entered the Royal Navy as a Stoker Second Class in H.M.S. Victory on 24 March 1920. Advanced Stoker Petty Officer on 290 December 1928, he was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 22 June 1935, and having been advanced Chief Stoker joined H.M.S. Kingston on 15 September 1939, serving in her during the first three years of the Second World War.

Hughes was awarded the D.S.M. for his gallantry during a convoy to Malta on 22 March 1942, and having arrived safely in the Grand Harbour was wounded during an air raid on Malta on 4 April 1942; Commander Philip Somerville, the Captain of H.M.S. Kingston, was killed in this raid, along with one other officer and ten ratings. Kingston was hit again by a bomb on 8 April, and three days later, on 11 April 1942, she received another direct hit which broke her back and she sank.

Hughes’s D.S.M. was announced in September 1942, in the same London Gazette that the operational awards for Operation Pedestal were announced, and he was subsequently congratulated by Lieutenant G. J. Kirkby, D.S.C., formerly of H.M.S. Kingston, on 29 October 1942:
‘Dear Hughes, I was delighted to read your name among those in the recent list of awards for our action in March. Please accept my heartiest congratulations. It is a shame we are not still all happily together to celebrate in the old style in the Wardroom. I could then thank you personally for the splendid work you did on that occasion, and for your continuous hard work and efficiency and unfailing loyalty to all of us throughout all that grand commission. Are you recovered from the injuries you received in April? It nearly broke my heart to lose the Captain and so many friends, and to think of the old ship being so remorsely attacked during that unhappy period. I have been out of Destroyers since that time, but hope to go back very soon. Again let me congratulate you and wish you good luck.’

Hughes was invalided out of the Royal Navy on 16 March 1943.

Sold with the recipient’s original M.I.D. certificate, dated 11 June 1942, and original letter to Hughes from Lieutenant Kirkby, as quoted above; together with copied record of service and other research.