Orders, Decorations and Medals

An extremely rare Second World War D-Day D.S.M. group of five awarded to Able Seaman H. Gee, Royal Navy, who received an immediate award for his gallantry in rescuing wounded troops in a seriously damaged Landing Craft (Infantry) off “Sword” beach

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (A.B. H. Gee, C/JX. 366994); 1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals, minor official correction to number, extremely fine (5) £3500-4000

D.S.M. London Gazette 14 November 1944:

‘For gallantry, skill, determination and undaunted devotion to duty during the landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy.’

The original recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘For calmness and energy in rescuing severely injured men from a flooding troop space after a shell hit below the waterline. Gee’s work was outstanding under very dangerous conditions.’

Harold Gee was born in Doncaster, Yorkshire in July 1924, and entered the training establishment Raleigh as an Ordinary Seaman in September 1942. Advanced to Able Seaman in September 1943, he joined the landing craft training establishment Copra, which appointment led to him serving in L.C.I. (L.) 111 of the 251st L.C.I. (L.) Flotilla, Naval Assault Group S2, commanded by Captain Renfrew Gotto, D.S.O., R.N., on D-Day.

Given their size, Landing Craft Infantry (Large) were extremely vulnerable to enemy fire and, therefore, generally used at a sufficient distance offshore to avoid the dangers of a direct hit - thus smaller craft laden with infantymen were lowered over their sides. In the case of L.C.I. (L.) 111, however, that policy was overidden, for she was ordered to land on “Sword” beach to collect casualties, and was hit by a shell below her waterline as she withdrew. Such was the carnage created in her troop space that seven casualties were in immediate danger of drowning and another three had to undergo immediate leg amputations - the survivors were afterwards transferred to the destroyer H.M.S. Seraphis. Three ratings won D.S.Ms for their gallant rescue work on this occasion, the case of L.C.I. (L.) 111 being cited as a classic example of the gallantry displayed by landing craft crew on D-Day - see Operation Neptune, by Commander Kenneth Edwards, R.N.; see, too, the website www.NZHistory.net.nz, which has a transcript of an interview with Lieutenant “Jack” Ingham, R.N.V.R., who commanded L.C.I. (L.) 110 on D-Day.

Gee remained employed at Copra until September 1945 and was released in April 1946.