A fine Second War ‘anti-U-boat operations’ D.S.M. group of four awarded to Acting Leading Seaman J. S. Greenway, Royal Navy, Submarine Detector on H.M.S. Redmill, who was awarded the D.S.M. for the leading part he played in the destruction of the German submarine U-722 on 27 March 1945. Four weeks to the day later, H.M.S. Redmill was herself torpedoed by U-1105, which blew 60 feet of her stern off

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (A/L.S. J. S. Greenway. D/JX. 254649); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; War Medal 1939-45, nearly extremely fine (4) £1,000-£1,400

D.S.M. London Gazette 14 August 1945.
The original Recommendation states: ‘H.M.S. Redmill formed part of the 21st Escort Group which destroyed four German U-Boats in coastal waters between 27 March and 9 April 1945. This ship detected and delivered the mortal blow to one U-Boat. By this rating’s skill as A./S. Recorder Operator he materially assisted in the destruction of a U-Boat. His devotion to duty and cheerfulness throughout a long period of attacks, during which time he never left the A./S. cabinet, are worthy of high praise. At all times he has maintained his A./S. equipment at a very high standard.’

Jim Stanley Greenway was born in Belgrave, Leicestershire, on 4 March 1914. He entered the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman on 5 March 1941 and was immediately posted to H.M.S. Raleigh. After a brief spell with H.M.S. Drake and H.M.S. Osprey, he joined H.M.S. Kenya on 15 August 1941. Rated Acting Submarine Detector, then Able Seaman/ Submarine Detector, he would serve in H.M.S. Kenya until 25 January 1943. During this period, H.M.S. Kenya was involved in Operation Stonewall; an operation involved in intercepting German U-boats and blockade runners. In 1942, H.M.S. Kenya, which had by now earned the nickname ‘The Pink Lady’ due to her camouflage scheme, was involved in Arctic convoy escorts. In March 1942 H.M.S. Kenya was involved in a secret operation, transporting 10 tons of gold from the Soviet Union to the United States as payment for loans and war materials.

Between 26 January and 4 October 1943, Greenway served aboard H.M. Ships Drake, Osprey, Nimrod and Asbara, before spending several months at H.M.S. Saker, which was a ‘stone frigate’. Here Royal Naval personnel were accounted whilst serving on duty in the USA. On 18 January 1944, Greenway was posted to H.M.S. Redmill, serving with this ship until 11 May 1945, and was advanced Acting Leading Seaman in September 1944.

H.M.S. Redmill was a United States built escort Destroyer, completed in 1943, that entered the Royal Navy as a Captain Class frigate on 30 November of the same year. Designed for patrol and escort duty, on 27 March 1945 H.M.S. Redmill was involved in the depth charging and sinking of U-722 in the North Atlantic. However, a month later, on 27 April, the German submarine U-1105, under the command of Hans-Joachim Schwarz, detected three British frigates in the North Atlantic and fired two torpedoes at H.M.S. Redmill, both hitting their target and blowing 60 feet of H.M.S. Redmill’s stern off. Despite the terrible damage, H.M.S. Redmill stayed afloat and, assisted by another frigate, was towed safely to Lisahally in Northern Ireland. 29 of H.M.S. Redmill’s complement were killed by the explosion and a great many seriously hurt.

In summing up events aboard his command that day, Lieutenant John Denne stated:
‘I am proud to report that the conduct of the ship’s company, as I had expected, was in the highest traditions of the Naval Service. I personally saw many officers and ratings doing outstanding work under difficult and dangerous conditions. Although I am forwarding the names of four men who carried out fine work far in excess of their duty, the credit as a whole must go to every man on board. The spirit of the ship is exemplified by a notice which appeared in the A./S. cabinet within two minutes of the attack, when power was restored and operating resumed: “Business as usual”.’

Greenway’s final postings before being finally released from service on 10 January 1946, were H.M. ships Drake, Cochrane and Osprey, all shore establishments

Sold with the recipient’s original D.S.M. Buckingham Palace bestowal document; Admiralty letter of congratulations on the D.S.M.; Certificate of Service; Submarine Detector History Sheet; Royal Navy Next of Kin casualty card; Identity card; Naval Service release letter; 15 wartime photos of Greenway in uniform, with shipmates, ships &c.; and other documents and copied research and the recipient’s Trebex wristwatch, engraved on reverse ‘J S Greenway’.