A Second World War Norway 1940 operations D.S.C. attributed to Sub. Lieutenant W. A. George, Royal Naval Reserve

Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1940’, hallmarks for London 1939, in its Garrard & Co. case of issue, extremely fine £600-700

D.S.C. London Gazette 26 September 1940:

‘For services in Norway.’

The original recommendation states:

‘On 8 May 1940, being landed with a party from the Northern Spray to examine a German troop-carrier down in Efjordan, the party was surprised and attacked by some 30 Germans, the late occupants of the plane, with machine-guns and grenades. After all their ammunition was expended, the party surrendered, except Skipper George, who, eluding his captors, made his way to the wrecked plane, in which he spent the night. He collected all books and papers he thought might be of value and, launching the india-rubber boat, crossed the fjord and eventually rejoined his ship.’

William Arthur George received his D.S.C. at a Buckingham Palace investiture held on 3 February 1942; sold with a photocopied image of a wartime family photograph, including George in R.N.R. officer’s uniform, the caption erroneously giving his first name as ‘Wilfred’ - only one R.N.R. officer received the D.S.C. in 1940, namely the above cited William Arthur George.