A good Second War D.S.M. group of eight awarded to Chief Petty Officer J. R. L. Appleby, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his gallant deeds in the 15-inch gun monitor H.M.S. Erebus off Le Havre in September 1944

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (P.O. J. R. L. Appleby, P/JX. 125653); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Burma Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Minesweeping 1945-51 (P/JX. 125653 J. R. L. Apppleby, D.S.M., C.P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (P/JX. 125653 J. R. L. Apppleby, C.P.O., H.M.S. Sursay) minor official corrections to naming, polished, the DSM good fine, the rest better (8) £1,200-£1,600

Dix Noonan Webb, September 2009.

D.S.M. London Gazette 24 April 1945:
‘For skill, leadership and undaunted devotion to duty whilst serving on H.M. Ships Erebus and Roberts in the bombardment of Le Havre and Walcheren.’

The original recommendation states: ‘For undaunted devotion to duty when the ship was under accurate enemy fire during the bombardment of Le Havre, in maintaining a high rate of ammunition supply when adjoining compartments had been flooded by action damage.’

James Richard Leslie Appleby, a native of Reading, Berkshire, was serving as Captain of the Forecastle Division and employed in the 15-inch shell room of the monitor H.M.S. Erebus at the time of the above related deeds, his recommendation further revealing that he was present at the bombardments of Le Havre on 5, 8, and 10 September 1944 - her 15-inch guns inflicting serious damage on enemy installations, as indeed they had off Normandy that June, when engaging the batteries at Barfleur and La Pernelle. She went on to lend equally valuable support during Operation Infatuate, the assault on Walcheren in November 1944.

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