A post-War O.B.E., Second War ‘Battle of Crete’ D.S.C. group of nine awarded to Commander M. J. Clark, H.M.A.S. Nizam, Royal Australian Navy, later Naval Officer in Charge, North East Australian Area, and Resident Naval Officer Port Melbourne

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer’s 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt; Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1942, hallmarks for London 1940; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45; Australia Service Medal, the six campaign awards all impressed ‘M. J. Clark. R.A.N.’; Coronation 1953, unnamed as issued, mounted as worn; together with the recipient’s related miniature awards, these similarly mounted as worn, the Burma Star additionally with the Pacific clasp, lacquered, generally good very fine (9) £2,400-£2,800

O.B.E. London Gazette 1 January 1958.

D.S.C. London Gazette 8 January 1942.
The original Recommendation states: ‘For outstanding gallantry, fortitude, and resolution whilst in command of H.M.A.S. Nizam during the Battle of Crete. The excellent manner in which he handled his ship on more than one occasion saved her from being damaged by bombs. At Sphakia on 28-29 and 30-31 May 1941, his organisation greatly assisted the embarkation of so many men and there was never any doubt that he would interpret his orders in the way intended. Very good reports of him have also been received from the Senior Officers of the forces taking part in the various other operations off Crete. He has always handled his ship with that dash which one expects from a good destroyer officer.’

Max Joshua Clark was born at Franklin, Tasmania, on 30 March 1906 and joined the Royal Australian Navy at Melbourne, Victoria, as a Naval Cadet on 1 January 1920. He was appointed Midshipman on 15 May 1924, and was commissioned Acting Sub-Lieutenant on 15 September 1926. Promoted Lieutenant on 30 September 1929, and Lieutenant-Commander on 30 September 1937, he served during the Second World War in command of the Destroyer H.M.A.S. Nizam from 19 December 1940.

On 21 May 1941, H.M.A.S. Nizam took part in the bombardment of Scarpento. Having then landed troops and stores at Suda Bay for the reinforcement of Crete, she was the last British vessel to leave, only four hours before the Germans occupied the port. On 28-29 May, during the evacuation of Crete, Nizam, with the 7th Flotilla, embarked 114 troops at Sphakia. On he return passage to Alexandria the flotillas was bombed by enemy aircraft and Nizam sustained minor damage from near-misses. Next evening, on 30-31 May, Nizam, along with H.M.S. Napier, arrived at Sphakia on a second evacuation mission Two Royal Navy vessels had been forced to withdraw, one with engine trouble, the other bomb-damaged. Between them Nizam and Napier embarked over 1,400 troops, who were landed at Alexandria on 31 May.

For his services during the Battle of Crete, Clark was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Characteristically, upon learning of the award, he informed his crew: ‘This belongs to all of us, for we all won it.’ Promoted Commander on 31 December 1942, he was presented with the insignia of the D.S.C. by H.E. The Governor-General at Government House, Melbourne, on 20 November 1943. After a spell as a Training Commander at Flinders Naval Depot, he was subsequently given command of the Destroyer H.M.A.S. Warramunga on 19 April 1945, and two years later was appointed Executive Officer of the Balmoral Naval Depot. He held various other land based rolls for the rest of his career, including State Civil Defence Co-Ordinating Officer, Premier’s Department, State of Victoria; Naval Officer in Charge, North East Australian Area; and Resident Naval Officer Port Melbourne and Commanding Officer of H.M.A.S. Lonsdale. Created an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 1958 New Year’s Honours’ List, he retired from H.M.A.S. Lonsdale on 3 April 1958.

Sold with a copy of the book N Class, in which the recipient is frequently mentioned; various individual and group photographic images; and a large quantity of copied research.