Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas (Part I)

The unique and poignant Second War bomb and mine disposal G.C., D.S.C. group of ten awarded to Lieutenant-Commander W. E. Hiscock, Royal Navy

In his capacity as Controlled Mining Officer at H.M.S. St. Angelo, Malta, he dealt with no fewer than 125 ‘incidents’ at the height of the island’s siege, among them an ‘Italian torpedo machine’ and other unknown types of ordnance: in dismantling the former, which contained a 650lb. high explosive charge fitted with four firing devices and a time fuse, the clock mechanism whirred into action, but Hiscock calmly neutralised the device nonetheless

Tragically, he and his wife were killed in a bombing raid on Valetta in February 1942, just a few days after the announcement of his award of the G.C.


George Cross (Lieut. (Acting Lieut. Commander) William Ewart Hiscock, D.S.C. R.N. 3rd February 1942); Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse hallamrked London 1940 and officially dated ‘1941’; 1914-15 Star (Act. Gnr. W. E. Hiscock, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Gnr. W. E. Hiscock, R.N,.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Jubilee Medal 1935, mounted court-style for display, good very fine and better (10) £80,000-£120,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas.

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G.C. London Gazette 3 February 1942:

‘For great gallantry and undaunted devotion to duty.’

The original recommendation states:

‘Lieutenant (Act. Lt.-Commander) Hiscock was in charge of the salvage, rendering safe and stripping of an Italian Torpedo Machine, which was recovered from 15 feet of water off St. George’s Bay, Malta. The operation of salvaging itself was one of great danger as, apart from the possibility of booby-trapping, no information was available as to the technical mechanism of the explosive head, whilst its behaviour when parted from the body was a matter of complete uncertainty. Rendering safe and stripping of the explosive head after salvage had been carried out personally by Hiscock, helped by Le Bargy [Petty Officer C., awarded the D.S.M., and later still the G.M.]. During the course of the operation the clock mechanism started and it was only cool determination and skill in the face of extreme danger which allowed of a successful conclusion. The machine contained a 650 lb charge of high explosive, fitted with four firing devices, including impact and hydrostatic types.’

Further notes appear in the Honours & Awards File ADM 516/41:

‘Total of all incidents - 125. Two specifically detailed:

1.
While dismantling a one-man submarine recovered off Malta and rendering it safe, a special spanner (made in the Dockyard) slipped and started the clock mechanism. The lighter was then alongside N.A.D. but he tackled the mechanism again and succeeded in stopping the clock and withdrawing the detonator.

2.
A new type German mine was recently encountered and rendered safe, regardless of the danger of its detonating on the rocks, he had what can only be described as an “all in wrestling match” when it washed to and fro in the heavy scend.’

His calm tackling of these highly dangerous jobs without fuss and with unfailing cheerfulness is, I consider, the highest form of courage and worthy of a very high award.’
D.S.C. London Gazette 14 January 1941: ‘For courage, enterprise and devotion to duty in contact with the enemy.’
William Ewart Hiscock was born in Dorchester, Dorset on 13 January 1886 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in July 1901. Subsequently appointed an Acting Gunner, R.N., in August 1914, his wartime appointments included H.M. Ships Kale, from November 1914, Medea, from June 1915 and Tribune, from June 1918, and he was mentioned in despatches for ‘services in action with enemy submarines’ (London Gazette 20 September 1918, refers).
In August 1924, he was appointed a Commissioned Gunner, and, following further seagoing appointments, he joined the Admiralty’s Torpedo and Mining Department in late 1931. Advanced to Lieutenant in March 1934, he was placed on the Retired List in January 1936.
Recalled shortly before the renewal of hostilities, Hiscock was posted to the Malta base St. Angelo, where he was appointed Officer in Charge of Controlled Minefields and Parties, and it was in this capacity that he dealt with no less than 125 devices in 1940-42. Awarded the D.S.C. in January 1941, for his ‘courage, enterprise and devotion to duty in contact with the enemy,’ he was also advanced to Acting Lieutenant-Commander.
As alluded to in the recommendation for his subsequent award of the George Cross (G.C.), Hiscock’s gallant work extended to all manner of ordnance. A case in point would be the parachute mine that fell in the gardens of Lady Bernard’s Nursing Home in the Villa Portelli. The patients were quickly evacuated to the Blue Sisters Hospital and Hiscock, after gently lowering the mine to the ground - its parachute had got caught up on a wall and a tree - defused it.
Tragically, as confirmed by his service record, he and his wife, Alice, were killed in an air raid on 15th February 1942, just 12 days after his G.C. was gazetted. A local newspaper report stated that their home in the married quarters in St. George’s Barracks, St. Julian’s, just north of Valetta, received a direct hit. They were buried in Capuccini Naval Cemetery.
Hiscock’s G.C. was presented to one of his daughters by King George VI at Buckingham Palace on 23 June 1942.