Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War ‘Anti-Submarine Service’ D.S.M. group of eight awarded to Petty Officer N. Richardson, Royal Navy, director layer in H.M.S. Blakeny in a gun action that resulted in the destruction of U-131

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (J.112622 P.O.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Pacific Star, clasp, Burma; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (J.112622 P.O., H.M.S. Blankney) nearly extremely fine (8) £1600-1800

D.S.M. London Gazette 24 March 1942. ‘For skill and enterprise in action against Enemy Submarines while serving in H.M. Ships Exmoor, Blankney, Stanley, Mallow, and Marigold’. Recommendation reads, ‘During the gun action on 17th December which resulted in the sinking of German submarine U.131 by H.M. Ships Blankney and Exmoor, Petty Officer Richardson was Director Layer in Blankney. He showed great skill. The range was extreme and the target small. The ship was rolling noticeably and the relative bearing only about 30º on the bow. Yet he fired with great accuracy and six straddles were spotted before the submarine sank, the range then being 12,800 yards’.

M.I.D. London Gazette 8 March 1940. “Petty Officer, H.M.S. Walker.

In the early months of the war, Petty Officer Richardson served aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Walker. In January 1940 the ship formed part of the escort to convoy HX14B. On 11 January, a ship of the convoy, the British Oil Tanker, El Oso, struck a mine off the Bar Lightship, Liverpool, and sank. H.M.S. Walker managed to pick up 32 survivors from the tanker. Although there is no recommendation, it was doubtless for this action that Richardson was mentioned in despatches.

In 1941 Petty Officer Richardson was serving on the destroyer H.M.S. Blankney. On 17 December 1941 the ship, together with others, took part in the destruction of the German submarine U-131 while part of the escort to convoy HG76. For his incredible gunnery in the action, Richardson was awarded an ‘Immediate’ D.S.M. Sold with copied research.