Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War ‘Operation Neptune’ D.S.M. group of eight awarded to Leading Seaman F. A. Rewell, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (L.S. P/J.28554); 1914-15 Star (J.28554 Boy 1, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.28554 A.B., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (28554 L.S., H.M.S. Winchelsea), these four mounted as worn; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal, these unnamed, W.W.1 medals and L.S. & G.C., with edge bruising, worn; others extremely fine (9) £1200-1400

D.S.M. London Gazette 28 November 1944. Recommendation states, ‘By consistent skill and devotion to duty as the main stay in rigging and running the sweeps successfully. By his great care in enabling the sweeps to run in adverse weather conditions, in darkness of night, with a severe tactical handicap, cross tide and a change of sweeps: to cut through an enemy mine field, at stealthy speed, in presence of the enemy, in dire peril of land guns, mines and surface forces. By his care and devotion to duty he contributed to the success of a major operation in bringing our Invasion Forces to grips with the enemy, thereby enabling them to invest and land upon the enemy coast. He was a man vital in complete success.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 11 June 1942 (Birthday Honours). Recomendation states, ‘Untiring devotion to duty and efficiency in the operation of sweeps and the maintenance of minesweeping gear’.

Frank Arthur Rewell was born in Listowel, Co. Kerry, on 25 May 1898. As a Greenwich Schoolboy he entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 20 November 1913, being advanced to Boy 1st Class in August 1914. He served on the light cruiser Amethyst, January 1915-July 1918, being promoted to Ordinary Seaman in May 1916 and Able Seaman in January 1917.

During the Second World War Leading Seaman Rewell was mentioned in despatches in June 1942 for his services aboard the minesweeper Bridport, and received the D.S.M. for his services aboard the same ship during Operation Neptune (Normandy landings). It is likely that Brindley was present during ‘Operation Jubilee’ (the Dieppe Raid), 19 August 1942, his ship the Bridport being one of the vessels involved. Sold with original M.I.D. Certificate; cloth blazer badge and copied service and recommendation papers.