A rare Second World War Operation “Torch” D.S.M. group of five awarded to Gunner A. W. Bussey, 3rd Battery, Maritime A.A. Regiment (R.A.), late King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry, who was decorated for his gallantry aboard the S.S. Stanhill

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (4695905 A. W. Bussey, Gnr., 3rd Bty. Mar. A.A. Regt.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, mounted as worn, good very fine (5) £1200-1400

Just 51 Distinguished Service Medals were awarded to Gunners of the Royal Artillery for services in Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships in the 1939-45 War.

D.S.M. London Gazette 30 March 1943:

‘For bravery and coolness in action while serving in Defensively Equipped Merchant Ships during operations in North Africa.’

Arthur William Bussey was decorated for his services in the motor transport ship Stanhill, a vessel of the Stanhope Steam Ship Company Limited, during many air attacks off North Africa. Having departed the Clyde in Convoy KMS 1 in late October 1942, the Stanhill arrived off ‘B’ Beachhead, Algiers on 8 November, and afterwards participated in “Operation Perpetual”, the Allied Eastern Task Force landings at Bougie on the 11th, when she disembarked 32 personnel, 91 vehicles, 16 guns and 82 tons of fuel: during the course of this latter operation, the Luftwaffe and Regia Aeronautica launched a series of devastating raids, swarms of Ju. 88s, He. 111s and Italian torpedo bombers inflicting heavy loss and damage on our shipping - on the first day of the landings, the gunners of one merchantman alone expended 3204 rounds of Oerlikon, 216 rounds of Bofors and a further 715 rounds of .303 ammunition.

Bussey received his D.S.M. at a Buckingham Palace investiture held on 6 July 1943.