A rare Palestine 1946 operations D.S.M. awarded to Able Seaman Richard Theaker, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Rowena for ‘gallantry and leadership while serving with the Palestine Patrol, in intercepting the illegal immigrant ship Palmach

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (A.B. R. Theaker. P/JX. 697768) very fine and rare £2000-2600

Provenance: Douglas-Morris Collection, Dix Noonan Webb, 16 October 1996.

D.S.M. London Gazette 25 November 1947: ‘For gallant and distinguished service while operating with the Palestine Patrol in intercepting illegal immigrant ships.’

The original recommendation states: ‘For gallantry and leadership while serving with the Palestine Patrol, in intercepting the illegal immigrant ship Palmach on 21st/22nd September 1946.’

Seedie’s Roll gives the following information: ‘For the boarding of the Palmach 21 September 1946 whilst serving in the Minesweeper H.M.S. Rowena.’ Only six D.S.M.’s were awarded for these post war operations in Palestine, three for services in 1946 and three for services in 1947. Of the three awards for services in 1946, Able Seaman Theaker is named first in the ‘Order of Merit’.

The following extract appeared in The Times, 22 & 23 September 1946: ‘The most serious clash yet on board an illegal immigrant ship occurred in Palestine waters last night when a caique was boarded two and a half miles south of the Palestine-Syria border. One Jew was killed, and several members of the boarding party as well as other immigrants were injured. The ciaque, which the Jews have named the Palmach, is now in Haifa Bay with an armed guard on board, and her passengers will be trans-shipped tomorrow before being taken to Cyprus.

It is not unlikely that the ship came down the Syrian coast. She had been sighted earlier but about midnight the Minesweeper H.M.S. Rowena closed up to hail her in French, Italian and English, and inform the passengers that a party was coming on board. Officers and seamen climbed over the side on to the ship’s deck and were then met with a rush. The immigrants used crowbars, hatchets, knives, and any weapon they could find.

One seaman fired his rifle and a Jew was killed. The situation then became dangerous, and the Jews were again hailed and warned that tear smoke would be used. Resistance continued until the use of five grenades of tear smoke allowed the boarding party to get the vessel under control. The Palmach was then taken in tow, and reached Haifa this morning when eight sick passengers were taken to hospital. Eighteen detonators and a soapbox containing a piece of Italian T.N.T. in each cake of soap were later found in the ship.’

Sold with a comprehensive file of research including the full Honours and Awards Committee report with recommendations for all awards and copied extracts from The Royal Navy and the Palestine Patrol, by Ninian Stewart.