A rare Second World War Malta convoy D.S.M. pair awarded to Petty Officer (A.) W. E. Cuttriss, Fleet Air Arm, who fought a gallant action against superior numbers of Italian aircraft during “Operation Substance” on 25 July 1941, his Fulmar eventually being shot down - the pilot of the other Fulmar engaged in the action was recommended for a posthumous V.C

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (FAA/F. 55045 W. E. Cuttriss, P.O. Air, H.M.S. Ark Royal); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (J. 97570 W. E. Cuttriss, A./P.O. Tel., H.M.S. Glorious), minor official correction to ship on the last, good very fine (2) £4000-4500

D.S.M. London Gazette 25 November 1941. The original recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘As Air Gunner in Lieutenant Cockburn’s aircraft, P.O. Airman Cuttriss used his Thompson sub-machine gun to good effect, damaging one of the enemy bombers as his aircraft passed under it at 50 yards range. He showed consummate coolness throughout the action and by his observations helped his pilot achieve the success that we won.’

Worthy of inclusion is the related recommendation for an immediate D.S.O. to his pilot, Lieutenant (A.) Richard Cockburn, R.N.V.R., a veteran of the Battle of Britain:

‘In company with another pilot, the late Lieutenant A. T. J. Kindersley, R.N., this officer, whilst patrolling over the Fleet on 25 July 1941, intercepted a formation of twelve S. 79 aircraft. The two Fulmars attacked immediately and forced the formation to turn away. They shot down two of the enemy for certain and probably a third, and severely damaged another which was later shot down by another Fulmar. They made attack after attack until they expended their ammunition, but before this occurred they forced many of the enemy to jettison their bombs and finally broke up the attack. Both Fulmars were finally shot down, Lieutenant Cockburn being picked up by one of our destroyers.’

Lieutenant Alistair Kindersley, who had also flown in the Battle of Britain, and his T.A.G., Acting Petty Officer (A.) Frederick Barnes, were both killed, the subsequent recommendations for “Operation Substance” prompting the Second Sea Lord to observe:

‘I am not sure that there is a strong enough case for giving Kindersley a posthumous V.C.

Kindersley and Cockburn in company achieved the same success in the face of heavy odds: Cockburn survives and is recommended for a D.S.O., Kindersley is killed and it is proposed to award a posthumous V.C. There is no saying that Cockburn was not the more valiant of the two. It is also observed that the F.O.H. puts Lieutenant Lewin, another Ark Royal pilot, ahead of Kindersley in his order of merit.

I feel, therefore, that a Mention for Kindersley would be more equitable unless it is particularly desired to give the Fleet Air Arm a V.C.’

And so it proved, posthumous “mentions” to Kindersley and Barnes appearing in the same London Gazette as the D.S.O. to Cockburn and the D.S.M. to Cuttriss.

William Edwin Cuttriss attended Telegraphist Air Gunner (T.A.G.) courses at R.A.F. Eastchurch and Gosport 1929-30, and served in the carriers Hermes and Glorious prior to the outbreak of hostilities in September 1939, when he was based in Dekelia, Egypt with 823 Squadron. Joining 808 Squadron in the Ark Royal in the following year, he took up a shore appointment on Gibraltar after being shot down in the above cited action in “Operation Substance” on 25 July 1941 - 807 and 808 Squadrons lost 12 out of their 24 aircraft during this famous Malta convoy. Curttiss latterly served at the R.N. Air Station Goshawk in Trinidad, and at a training establishment for would-be Avenger pilots at Lewiston, Maine. He received his D.S.M. at an investiture held on 28 April 1942, Cockburn receiving his D.S.O. on the same occasion.