Family Group:

The Outstanding Korean War D.S.O. and Second War Fleet Air Arm fighter pilot’s D.S.C. group of twelve awarded to Lieutenant-Commander S. J. Hall, Royal Navy; the D.S.C. for gallantry in leading 800 Squadron’s Hellcats from H.M.S. Emperor during Operation Tungsten, the raid against the German Battleship Tirpitz on 3 April 1944. Mentioned in Despatches for Operation Pot Luck, when he led his squadron in strafing attacks of German shipping and aircraft at Rorvik, Norway, 14-15 May 1944, he further took part in operations in support of the D-Day landings and was heavily engaged against ground targets during Operation Dragoon.
During the Korean War, as Air Group Commander, 14th Carrier Air Group, he flew a large number of sorties, piloting Sea Furies from H.M.S. Glory, and in September 1951 he was shot down near Choppeki Point, being picked up by a helicopter after an hour in the water, thus being awarded the “Winged S”, Helicopter Rescue Certificate, as well as the D.S.O.
Distinguished Service Order, E.II.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., silver, hallmarks for London 1943, the reverse of the Cross officially dated ‘1944’; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Arctic Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaves; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (Lt. Cdr. S. J. Hall D.S.O., D.S.C. R.N.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, court mounted as worn, with Garrard, London, cases of issue for the D.S.O. and D.S.C., and the Arctic Star loose in named case of issue; together with the recipient’s related miniature awards, extremely fine

Pair: Third Officer Mrs. Dorothy M. Hall, Women’s Royal Naval Service
Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, with named card box of issue addressed to ‘Mrs. D. Hall, 6 Officers Married Quarters, Ford, Salisbury, Wilts.’, nearly extremely fine (14) £8,000-£12,000

D.S.O. London Gazette 3 October 1952:
‘For distinguished services in operations in Korean waters.’

D.S.C. London Gazette 30 May 1944:
‘For undaunted courage, skill and determination in carrying out the daring attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz on 3rd April 1944.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 18 July 1944:
‘For outstanding services in H.M. Ships Emperor and Striker in operations against enemy shipping in Northern Waters.’

Sidney James Hall was born in Hightown, Liverpool on 10 September 1917 and joined the Merchant Navy on 12 September 1933. Serving on numerous ships over the next four years, he gained his Second Mate’s certificate in December 1937. On 13 September 1938, he joined the Royal Navy Reserve as a probationary Sub Lieutenant and was commissioned Sub Lieutenant, Royal Navy, on 1 March 1939, joining the shore establishment H.M.S. Vernon on 15 May. Joining the Cruiser H.M.S. Berwick 20 January 1940, he subsequently joined the Destroyer, H.M.S. Vortigern, on 6 July 1940, and with this ship he would have taken part in the attacks on the French Battleship Dunkerque shortly after. Applying for training as a pilot, Hall had his first training flight at on 9 January 1941 at 14 R.A.F. E.F.T.S. and was promoted Lieutenant on 15 February. By May of that year he was training on Fairey Battles, having moved to 31 S.F.T.S. and was noted as an above average pilot in his end of August logbook entry. He switched to Hurricanes at 760 Squadron, R.N.A.S. Yeovilton in September, and then to Fairey Fulmar’s at 761 Squadron in November.

First Operational Flying Posting and the Tirpitz

In February 1942 Hall had his first operational posting to 806 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, at H.M.S. Lanka; the R.N. base at Colombo, Ceylon. In the main, still flying Fulmars, between then and the end of June 1942, he flew a large number of flights, including fighter umbrella’s over the Fleet and reconnaissance, having at the end of April started to perform deck landings. Between September 1942 and June 1943, he served with 784 Fleet Air Arm Squadron at Drem, Scotland but in July of the year he was given command of 800 Fleet Air Arm Squadron. Promoted Acting Lieutenant-Commander on 7 July 1943, on joining this squadron, Hall started flying Sea Hurricane IIc’s, switching to Grumman Hellcat F6F I’s at the end of August; 800 Squadron was the first squadron to be equipped with this American build type.

In October 1942, 800 Squadron became part of 7th Naval Fighter Wing, Hall becoming the Wing Leader, a position he would hold until March 1944. After familiarisation with Hellcats, on 5 December 1943, the squadron joined the escort carrier H.M.S. Emperor. In January 1944, H.M.S. Emperor escorted a convoy to the U.S.A., returning home with another convoy a month later. Joining the Home Fleet, on 18 March, she embarked for operations off the coast of Norway. During the following six months Hall would see a great deal of operational flying and for his gallantry in action, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for the daring attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz on 3 April 1944.

Operation Tungsten

On 3 April 1944, H.M.S. Emperor took part in Operation Tungsten, the most successful of a series of Fleet Air Arm attacks on the Tirpitz, which were carried out during 1944. The main strike force consisted of 40 Barracuda dive bombers, from the Fleet carriers H.M.S. Furious and Victorious; H.M.S. Emperor supplying Hellcats from 800 and 804 Squadrons as support. The escort carriers H.M.S. Pursuer, Searcher, and Fencer also supplied fighter cover for the bombers and the fleets itself. The attack totally surprised the Germans and Tirpitz suffered a number of direct hits and was out of service for three months. A total of 438 of her crew were also killed or wounded and her supply ship C.A. Larrsen was additionally hit and damaged. During the attack, Hall led the 800 Squadron’s Hellcats in two sorties against Tirpitz that day (according to his logbook); initially as fighter cover for the carriers Barracudas, and then strafing gun enemy positions.

Operation Pot Luck

On 14 May 1944 Hall led Hellcats from his squadron on Operation Pot Luck, an attack on shipping at Rorvik, in company with aircraft from H.M.S. Striker. The attack resulted in three enemy merchant ships being hit and damaged and 5 He115 floatplanes were strafed and destroyed by pilots of 800 Squadron under Hall. The following day Hall led a similar attack which involved a further attack being made on the fish oil factory at Fossevaag. Two armed trawlers were strafed and sunk. For his services Hall was Mentioned in Despatches.

Further service with H.M.S. Emperor

Hall’s logbook for his service with H.M.S. Emperor records a large number of flights, squadron casualties and other operations. On 8 May he records that during Operation Hoops he led aircraft from his squadron against a convoy off Kristiansund, during which they were ‘bounced’ by four FW190’s and 2 Me109’s. In what was probably a unique combat between Fleet Air Arm Hellcats and German fighters, three German fighters were shot down, with the loss of two Hellcats.
On 9 June Hall records patrolling in support of the D-Day landings and for the rest of June was flying Spitfires, noting multiple staffing and dive bombing flights. In mid July he was back flying Hellcats and notes taking part in Operation Preface on the 15 August, and the following day in Operation Dragon, the invasion of Southern France. Over the following week, he notes dive bombing coastal defence batteries, beach patrols, armed reconnaissances, attacking bridges, strafing trains, leaving barges, tugs &c. in flames. On 21 August he notes: ‘Attack on 11th Panzer Div withdrawing up Rhone Valley, bombed and strafed transport on road. 70% of column wiped out’.

After service in the Aegean, on the 30 September, Hall left H.M.S. Emperor, the assessment of his service by the Commanding officer of this ship was as follows:
‘A most able, zealous, enthusiastic and hard working Squadron Commander whose services I loose with great regret. During many operations from the attack on the ‘Tirpitz’ in April to work in the Aegean in September, he has led his squadron with great skill and courage. He takes exceptional interest in the welfare and training of his pilots and squadron personnel and their magnificent morale is in no small degree due to the high standard which he has always set them.’

Three days later, on 3 October 1944, Hall was medically examined and found to be suffering from ‘exhaustion’, and he was sent on sick leave for six weeks.

During his leave, Hall married Miss Dorothy Muriel Gander, a W.R.N.S. Cypher Officer. After his leave, from 26 November 1944, Hall served as Commanding Officer, 718 Squadron, H.M.S. Dipper, the R.N. Air Station, Henstridge, Somerset, serving in this post until July 1945. During this period, he initially had very little flying and after that, no operational flights.

Post War and Sea Furies in Korea

In March 1946, Hall joined 807 Squadron (Seafire XVII’s), and was attached to the School of Naval Air Warfare in September of that year. Rejoining 807 Squadron as Commanding Officer in March 1947, from September that year the squadron converted to Sea Furies and were now part of 17 Carrier Air Group. On 11 June 1948 he served at H.M.S. Heron, R.N. Air Station, Yeovilton, and was promoted substantive Lieutenant-Commander on 15 February 1949; he served at this Air Station until May 1950.

On 24 October 1950, Hall was appointed Air Group Commander of the 14th Carrier Air Group, serving aboard the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Glory. On 23 April 1951 H.M.S. Glory arrived in Korean waters to start her operational tour, taking over from H.M.S. Theseus. Her arrival coincided with the Chinese Spring Offensive and the two squadrons operating from Glory, 804 Squadron flying Sea Furies, and 812 Squadron flying Fireflies, were immediately in action. Hall, piloting Sea Fury VW565, recorded his first operation on 28 April, an armed reconnaissance. Over the following five months, he would record a large number of sorties; armed reconnaissances, close air support, strafing attacks, strikes on enemy positions, as well as escort and spotting flights.

An example of some of the operations that 14 GAG aircraft took part in can be found on the Memoriam to Lieutenant John Harry Sharp of 812 Squadron. He was killed in action on 28 June 1951:
‘Glory’s second patrol started on 11th May, the Sea Furies were soon busy on AR details, attacking targets of opportunity, and on the 13th May, ox-carts became legitimate targets, as the enemy began using them to transport ammunition. On 14th, the ship replenished, and a stoker fell overboard, quickly rescued by the helicopter doing a photo-shoot. H.M.S. Nootka caused some consternation, when she was caught North, when daylight came, and had to have a CAP, until she reached the safety of the fleet. A simulated assault from the sea, was launched in the area of Cho-do, to relieve some of the Communist pressure on the army. While aircraft provided CAP for the diversionary force, led by Kenya and Ceylon, other aircraft spotted for the cruisers’ shore bombardments. In the last three days of the patrol, variable weather affected flying, but 155 sorties were flown. A defective stern gland restricted Glory's speed on her journey to Sasebo, limiting her to 19 knots. The ship replenished and refitted at Sasebo, and the stern gland was fixed, while the hull was scraped. On 3rd June, Glory sailed for her Third Patrol, she relieved U.S.S. Bataan, and flying started on 4th June, with the Furies going into action against junks, at Hanchon and Kumsan-ni. Sorties continued throughout the patrol, Pilot 3 S.W.E. Ford, was forced to ditch his Firefly, after it took some damage, and the aircraft pitched forward and sank almost immediately, the pilot being unable to escape. The attack rules were changed, as a result of increasing aircraft returning with light flak and small arms fire damage, and general debris being picked up from low-passes over targets…’

On 24 September 1951, Hall was leading a Firefly escort and armed reconnaissance sortie when he was shot down. Crashing into the sea near Choppeki Point, he was picked up by a helicopter after an hour in the water. Although not wounded, amongst the collection photographs sold with the group, are photographs of the severe bruising he sustained during this crash. He would later receive the Sikorsky Helicopter Rescue Certificate for the award of the “Winged S”; for being rescued by a Helicopter. Although he continued to serve and fly from H.M.S. Glory for a further seven months, it appears that he saw no further action. However, an example of just how much operational service he saw during the first five months of his Korean tour can be seen in his logbook. Having performed 126 deck landings during his service up until 23 April 1951, when H.M.S. Glory started her operational tour in Korea, by the time he was shot down, he had added a further 84 to that number. On leaving H.M.S. Glory in May 1952, Hall’s record of service notes; ‘Lt, Cdr. Hall has acquitted himself most creditably as an Air Group Commander. He flew with the same intensity as his pilots and led the Group in a calm, resolute and capable manner.’

Court Martial and Final Service

On 26 February 1952, Hall was posted as Executive Officer, to the minesweeper, H.M.S. Wave. In the early hours of 30 September 1952, during a heavy storm, H.M.S. Wave broke her moorings in St Ives and went ashore on rocks. The ship was holed and flooded and the crew was evacuated. There were no casualties and she was eventually winched off the rocks by two boom-defence vessels. However as with any incidents involving Royal Navy ships, the Officers directly in charge of the ship would face a Court Martial. This consisted of the ship’s Commander, Navigation Officer and, as Executive Officer, Hall. The latter led to a somewhat embarrassing situation for the Admiralty: Hall was a highly decorated War hero, who had just added to his laurels with the award of the D.S.O. Not to be swayed, the Court Martial was held on 3 November 1952. Hall was charged with one count of grounding the ship and the second of hazarding the ship. He was found not guilty on the first count but guilty on the second and was adjudged to be reprimanded. This did not however seem to effect his career and between 23 March and May 1953, he served at the shore establishment, H.M.S. President, taking a helicopter conversion course in July 1954. In August 1955, he was training on Vampire T22’s at 736 squadron, R.N.A.S. Lossiemouth; subsequently piloting this type at R.N.A.S. Yeovilton. From January 1957, he served at the Office of Admiral Commanding Reserves.

Lieutenant-Commander Hall retired in July 1959 and died on 30 December 1971.

Sold with an extensive collection of original items including:
Three pilots logbooks, detailing all flights between January 1941 and August 1956
Award document for D.S.O, in its original O.H.M.S. envelope sent to H.M.S. Wave; Admiralty enclosure; Buckingham Palace investiture notification and card; Admiralty enclosure Admiralty notification of award, giving details of citation, dated 4 October 1952.
Admiralty notification of award of D.S.C. giving details of citation, dated 3 June 1944.
M.I.D. Certificate in its original O.H.M.S. envelope; Admiralty letter of notification for M.I.D. 18 July 1944.
Helicopter Rescue Certificate for award of the “Winged S”; for being rescued by a Sikorsky Helicopter, dated 22 September 1951; two large colour photographs of Hall showing the injuries received (severe bruising) when shot down.
Presentation document for the Arctic Star and ‘The Arctic’ veterans badge.
Three ‘award’ documents for crossing the Equator on Sea and in the Air; 1941, 1947, 1951. Several letters and telegrams congratulating Hall on Awards and various other items of paperwork, including School reports etc.
Folder containing Merchant Navy service history; Certificate of Competency as Second Mate (Steamship); Board of Trade Continuous Certificate of Discharge; recommendations by Captains; lists of and photographs of ships served on 1933 - 38; Merchant Navy Defence Courses passed (1938) and other documents.
Photograph album containing images of service 1941 to 1943; ships, aircraft; fellow pilots, some family and scenic. An additional folder, mainly later 1944 plus photographs; fellow pilots, crew, ships, next to aircraft, awards ceremonies, visits with Royalty, some are Press type, some family.
Selection of Newspaper and newspaper cutting, mainly related to awards, Tirpitz and Korea.
Original London Gazette supplements announcing Hall’s D.S.O, D.S.C. and M.I.D.
The Recipient’s watch; WW2 British Military Pierce Chronographe, with ‘Bonklip’ strap.
WW2 R.A.F. MKII Aircraft Clock.
Tin box containing bits of shrapnel and several struck, bullet heads, possibly taken from his aircraft.
Navy ‘restricted’ silk map of Pacific/Japan.
Original Insignia/badges: Fleet Air Arm pilots sleeve and breast wings; Royal Navy Lt-Commander shoulder boards (one pair tropical) and Commander slip on rank; bullion Officers peaked cap badge on band; 800 Squadron patch; 807 Squadron enamel pin; box of medal ribbons, bars &c.
Books; Naval Staff Handbook, Flying Practice, Airmanship, Naval War Manual, Rating Pilot RN.
Together with a large quantity of copied research and other ephemera.

Mrs. Dorothy Muriel Hall, née Gander, served between January 1941 and April 1946 as a Coder and Cypher Officer at H.M.S. Drake. She married Sidney James Hall in late 1944. Sold with Naval Identity Card and service record.