A good Second World War Mediterranean operations D.S.M. group of six awarded to Leading Seaman C. D. Jacobs, Royal Navy, for a brilliant night action off Cape Spartivento in June 1943

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (SSX. 25221 C. D. Jacobs, L. Smn.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, extremely fine (6) £800-1000

D.S.M. London Gazette 20 August 1943:

‘For courage, resolution and skill in successful attacks on an enemy convoy whilst serving in H.M.S. Jervis.’

The original recommendation states:

‘On the occasion when H.M.S. Jervis and H.H.M.S. Queen Olga destroyed an enemy convoy off the Italian coast, Leading Seaman Jacobs was captain of No. 1 mounting during the action. This rating controlled the gun’s crew with most commendable skill and efficiency in spite of the noise and confusion of a close range night engagement.’

Cecil Dennis Jacobs, a pre-war regular and a native of Woodbridge, Suffolk, was decorated for his services on the night of 1-2 June 1943, when the destroyer Jervis, under the command of Captain J. S. Crawford, D.S.O., and in the company of the Greek destroyer Queen Olga, sunk the Italian torpedo boat Castore in a brilliant action off Cape Spartivento - the enemy convoy was engaged from 2,000 yards with the assistance of flares dropped by Allied aircraft, and two merchantmen were also damaged in the ensuing action. An indication of just how busy Jacobs and his fellow gunners were kept may be derived from the fact that the Jervis expended 142 rounds of 4.7-inch, 138 rounds of 2-pounder H.E. and tracer, and 90 rounds from her 20mm. Oerlikon.

Jacobs, who received his award at an investiture held in March 1945, was probably still aboard the Jervis on the occasion she was damaged by a German glider-bomb off Anzio - see The Kelly’s, British J, K & N Class Destoyers of World War II, by Christopher Langtree for further details; sold with a photocopy of a local wartime newspaper cutting, including a portrait photograph of the recipient.