Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Second World War Coastal Forces D.S.M. awarded to Able Seaman J. R. Barr, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his gallant work on one of M.T.B. 693’s Twin-Oerlikon Guns in a “firefight” with E-Boats in the Nore area in December 1944

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (A.B. J. R. Barr, C/JX. 351681), in its case of issue, edge nicks, good very fine £1200-1500

D.S.M. London Gazette 8 May 1945:

‘For courage and skill in successful attacks on E-Boats whilst serving in light coastal forces.’

The original recommendation for an immediate award states:

‘This rating displayed great coolness and a high degree of courage. His alertness and skill in controlling his gun, resulting in effectively damaging the enemy at the outset of the engagement, was a considerable contribution to ensuring the successful result of the action. This rating has repeatedly shown conduct of the highest order in the many actions in which he has taken part.’

James Robertson Barr, a native of Ardrishaig, Argyllshire, operated M.T.B. 693’s Twin-Oerlikon Gun (No. 1) in the above described action, a run-in with E-Boats in the Nore area on the night of 21-22 December 1944. Commanded by Lieutenant-Commander Stuart Marshall, R.N.V.R., C.O. of the 53rd M.T.B. Flotilla, who was awarded a Bar to his D.S.C. on the same occasion, 693’s gunnery no doubt played a major part in the destruction of S. 185, an E-Boat that had been engaged in laying mines north of Dunkirk.

In respect of the above recommendation’s mention of Barr’s part in many previous actions, it is worth recording that 693’s previous C.O., Lieutenant-Commander Donald McCowen, R.N.V.R., won a D.S.O. for a brilliant action against enemy shipping off Ymuiden on the night of 6-7 March 1944, and a D.S.C. for services off Normandy that June. Moreover, 693 fought no less than five engagements in the Channel in the period July-August 1944, these under the command of Stuart Marshall, so therein probable evidence of earlier good work by Barr on his Twin-Oerlikon. Added to which he would certainly have been engaged in 693’s action against nine E-Boats off Ymuiden on the night of 29-30 October 1944 - one or more E-Boats were damaged in this fierce 300 yards range “firefight”.