A post-Second World War ‘Mine Clearance’ B.E.M. group of five awarded to Engine Room Artificer 5th Class Theodore Stewart De’ath Farley, Royal Navy

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (E.R.A. 5Cl. Theodore S. D. Faley C/MX.507228 R.N.) official correction to initials; 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, these unnamed, extremely fine (5) £350-400

B.E.M. London Gazette 6 November 1945. ‘For outstanding bravery, determination and endurance whilst serving in H.M.S. Arcturus, when severe damage from the explosion of a mine was sustained in the engine room.’

The recommendation expands on this: ‘During minesweeping operations in the Northern Adriatic, in establishing a channel to Venice, Farley was E.R.A. of the watch when severe damage was sustained in the engine room of his ship when she was near-missed by a ground mine. Although he had had barely a year’s experience in a seagoing ship, Farley acted with great presence of mind in very trying and alarming conditions. In an engine room devoid of lighting, filling with live steam from an unknown source, with displaced floor plates rendering movement difficult in the darkness, and in spite of a blow on the head from an emergency lamp, Farley took immediate steps to minimise the further risk of damage to the ship’s machinery and equipment being caused by a smashed main circulating pump and the escaping steam. He at once notified the bridge by telegraphs and he stopped the engines, shut the throttle valves of both engines and then made an effort to start the fire and bilge pumps to circulate the main condenser and had succeeded in opening the correct discharge valve. This attempt had to be abandoned owing to prevailing conditions so Farley passed orders to the boiler rooms to shut down and evacuate the engine room. He collapsed from shock on emerging from the engine room hatch, but before doing so he reported that the engines were stopped and that he was confident that all personnel were clear of the engine room.’

With copied gazette extracts and recommendation.