A scarce ‘gallantry’ post-War M.B.E. group of eleven awarded to Lieutenant-Commander R. H. Williams, R.N., a Fleet Air Arm helicopter pilot who assisted in rescuing the crew of the Norwegian Motor Vessel Dovrefjell which struck a reef in the Pentland Firth and sank, 3 February 1956. Williams already had a distinguished record as a Skua and Sea Hurricane pilot during the Second World War - carrying out a number of operational sorties over Norway in 1940, and during the invasion of Madagascar in May 1942. During a varied and long career, which went developed into Search and Rescue operations in Whirlwind and Wessex helicopters - Williams amassed over 5,000 flying hours

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Military) Member’s 2nd type breast badge; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, Atlantic; Africa Star; Burma Star, 1 clasp, Pacific; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (Cd. Pilot. R. H. Williams. R.N.); U.N. Korea 1950-54; Coronation 1937, privately named ‘R. H. Williams P/J.X. 39691.’; Norway, Medal for Life Saving, Haakon VII, 2nd class in silver with Crown, privately named in reverse centre ‘R. H. Williams 3-2-1956’, mounted as worn, traces of verdigris, nearly very fine or better (11) £800-£1,200

M.B.E. London Gazette 22 June 1956:

‘The Queen has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointments to the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for gallantry in rescuing the crew of the Norwegian Motor Vessel Dovrefjell which struck a reef in the Pentland Firth and sunk on 3 February 1956:-


In a gale blowing at forty-five knots, the Norwegian motor vessel Dovrefjell was lying beam on to the seas which were breaking heavily over her. Solid spray was reaching a height of one hundred feet, and lifeboats were unable to lie alongside her.


Lieutenant Jack Rex Palmer, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Fulmar and Senior Commissioned Pilot Richard Harold Williams, Royal Navy, H.M.S. Fulmar, were ordered to fly their helicopters to the ship for possible rescue operations. Senior Commissioned Pilot Williams arrived first but was ordered to turn back as the conditions appeared to be too hazardous for a helicopter rescue. Lieutenant Palmer then reached the ship and, on his own initiative, decided to attempt a rescue. The ship’s aerials and turbulence necessitated winching the men from a height of fifty feet, but in spite of this Lieutenant Palmer succeeded in rescuing two of the crew. He was then joined by Senior Commissioned Pilot Williams and during the next three hours both pilots made a total of eight trips between the ship and John O’Groats, rescuing two members of the crew each time.


Lieutenant Palmer and Senior Commissioned Pilot Williams displayed skill and determination of a very high order in rescuing the entire ship’s crew in extremely difficult flying conditions.’


For their part in the rescue, the two winch operators, Acting Petty Officer Telegraphist Roy Moneypenny, C/SSF 836087, and Aircrewman I Alexander Japp L/FX 79405 both of H.M.S. Fulmar, received the Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct. Williams and Palmer were awarded the Boyd Trophy in 1956 - awarded annually to the naval pilot(s) or aircrew(s) who in the opinion of the Flag Officer Naval Air Command has/have achieved the finest feat of aviation during the previous year.


Richard Harold Williams joined the Royal Navy as a rating in July 1933, and volunteered for pilot training in August 1939. He carried out his initial training at No. 23 E.F.T.S and No. 1 E.F.T.S., gaining his ‘Wings’ in January 1940. Williams’s initial postings included with 759 and 760 Squadrons, before being posted for operational flying with 801 Squadron in July 1940. He flew Skuas on 12 operational sorties over Norway, and 1 over Cherbourg Harbour, with the Naval Air Squadron.


Williams advanced to Petty Officer (Air), and was posted to 880 Squadron (Hawker Sea Hurricanes), R.N.A.S. Arbroath at the end of May 1941. The Squadron was ‘Scrambled’, 29 August 1941, and Williams records the following in his Log Book ‘Ju88 Attacked - Unconfirmed (One Engine Shot Out).’


Williams was posted with the Squadron to the Aircraft Carrier Indomitable, which had been allocated for the Far East, in October 1941. In May 1942, the squadron took part in the invasion of Madagascar, being largely employed in ground attack duties during the capture of Diego-Suarez at the start of the invasion, and destroying one light aircraft by strafing at Arrachart airfield, leaving air superiority duties to the Martlets of 881 and 882 Squadrons operating off Illustrious. Williams flew in 5 operational sorties over Madagascar, and was hit by flak. He returned to Lee-on-Solent after his tour, and subsequently served with 782 (Naval Transport) Squadron, September 1942 - May 1946. Operating out of R.N.A.S. Donibristle Wiliams flew a variety of aircraft and advanced to Warrant Air Officer (Pilot) in June 1945. His rank was altered to Commissioned Pilot, and he was posted to 742 Squadron (Beechcraft Expeditor’s) Ceylon in May 1946. Subsequent postings included with 791 Squadron at Simbang, and 781 Squadron at H.M.S Daedalus.


Williams served with the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Glory, August 1949 - September 1951, before being posted to the Staff at H.M.S. Daedalus in January 1952. He undertook a Helicopter Conversion Course in January the following year, had various postings including to Hal-Far, Malta, and advanced to Senior Commissioned Pilot in April 1954. Williams was posted for Search and Rescue operations to H.M.S. Fulmar (Whirlwinds) at Lossiemouth in November 1955, and it was from here that he took part in the above mentioned rescue of 42 Norwegian sailors off a wreck in the Scottish Skerries on 3 February 1956. He was also awarded the Norwegian Medal for Life Saving in July 1957. Subsequent S.A.R. postings including to Ford, Brawdy and Culdrose. Williams advanced to Lieutenant Commander in April 1960, and retired in 1965. He died in 1976.


Sold with copied research (including photographic images of recipient), and two large files of bound photocopies of recipient’s Flying Log Books, covering 1 August 1939 - 25 July 1963.