A well-documented Second World War anti-U-boat operations D.S.M. group of four awarded to Acting Leading Seaman J. S. Greenway, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his work as an Asdic Operator in H.M.S. Redmill at the destruction of U-722 in the North Western Approaches in March 1945: when, four weeks later, Redmill was hit by a brace of “Gnats” and had 60 feet of her stern blown off, Greenway posted the following message in his A./S. cabinet - two minutes after impact: “Business as usual”

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (A./L.S. J. S. Greenway, D/JX. 254649), in its case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45, these last four in their original card forwarding box, extremely fine (4) £1800-2200

D.S.M. London Gazette 14 August 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘H.M.S. Redmill formed part of the 21st Escort Group which destroyed four German U-Boats in coastal waters between 27 March and 9 April 1945. This ship detected and delivered the mortal blow to one U-Boat. By this rating’s skill as A./S. Recorder Operator he materially assisted in the destruction of a U-Boat. His devotion to duty and cheerfulness throughout a long period of attacks, during which time he never left the A./S. cabinet, are worthy of high praise. At all times he has maintained his A./S. equipment at a very high standard.’

Jim Stanley Greenway was born in Belgrave, Leicestershire in March 1914 and entered the training establishment Raleigh as an Ordinary Seaman in March 1941. Having then attended Osprey, the A./S. School at Portland, he served in the cruiser H.M.S. Kenya from August 1941 to January 1943, in which period he would have seen action on the Arctic run. But it was during his subsequent appointment as A./S. Recorder Operator in the frigate Redmill, part of the 21st Escort Group, and commanded by Lieutenant John Denne, R.N., that he was awarded the D.S.M., namely for the destruction of the U-722 in the North Western Approaches, east of Eriksay, on 27 March 1945 - there were no survivors.

The very same fate nearly befell Redmill just one month later, when, on 27 April, she was hit by a brace of acoustic torpedoes delivered by the U-1105, under Kapitain Hans-Joachim Schwarz - the “Gnats” struck home in less than a minute, blew off 60 feet of her stern and killed 32 of the crew. Taken in tow by her fellow escorts, Redmill eventually reached Lough Foyle, where she was declared a total loss - an evocative photograph of the crippled Redmill, lying 25 miles north west of Blacksod Bay, is to be found on the website www.navsource.org.

In summing up events aboard his command that day, Lieutenant John Denne stated:

‘I am proud to report that the conduct of the ship’s company, as I had expected, was in the highest traditions of the Naval Service. I personally saw many officers and ratings doing outstanding work under difficult and dangerous conditions. Although I am forwarding the names of four men who carried out fine work far in excess of their duty, the credit as a whole must go to every man on board. The spirit of the ship is exemplified by a notice which appeared in the A./S. cabinet within two minutes of the attack, when power was restored and operating resumed: “Business as usual”. ’

U-1105 was a modified type VII-C submarine fitted with an experimental rubber skin designed to counter Allied sonar devices - one of 10 such U-Boats to enter service in the latter stages of the War. The modifications worked, U-1105 surviving to gain the sobriquet “Black Panther” - an artist’s impression of the animal, astride the Globe, was painted on her conning tower. She surrendered to ships from the 21st Escort Group at Loch Eriboll on 10 May 1945.

For his own part, following the spectacular ending of Redmill’s operational career, Greenway came ashore to an appointment in Drake in May 1945 and was finally released in January 1946.

Sold with a quantity of original documentation, including Buckingham Palace forwarding letter for the recipient’s D.S.M., together with related Admiralty letter of notification, dated 22 August 1945; his Certificate of Service and Submarine Detector History Sheet; National Registration Identity Card, dated 20 November 1945; an assortment of wartime photographs (approximately 15), with scenes from training days at Raleigh, through to H.M.S. Kenya and beyond; together with a presentation silver cigarette box from the employees of Messrs. N. Corah & Sons, ‘To L./S. J. S. Greenway, D.S.M. ... In recognition of the Award of the Distinguished Service Medal, 1945’; his wristwatch and identity disc, and an “H.M.S. Raleigh” cap tally and badge.