Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A particularly fine Second World War destroyer action D.S.M., Suez operations B.E.M. group of ten awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer E. W. Bastin, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (E.R.A. 2 E. W. Bastin, D/MX. 54340); British Empire Medal, (Military) E.II.R. (C.E.R.A. Ernest W. Bastin, D.S.M., D/MX. 54340); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Near East (DM/X. 54340 E. W. Bastin, D.S.M., B.E.M., C.E.R.A., R.N.); Coronation 1953; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue (MX. 54340 E. W. Bastin, C.E.R.A., D.S.M., H.M.S. Lochinvar), minor official corrections to number and ship on the eighth and the last, contact marks, generally good very fine (10) £1800-2200

D.S.M. London Gazette 24 July 1945:

‘For bravery and skill while serving in H.M. Ships Lookout and Meteor in a successful engagement with enemy light forces.’

The original recommendation states:

‘He carried out all his duties with great zeal and his untiring efforts have done much to maintain the Engine Room Department in an efficient condition.’

To which should be added the covering remarks of the Captain (D.):

‘This rating made a direct contribution in the destruction of the enemy by the excellent performance of the engines as a result of his work. Strongly concur.’

B.E.M. London Gazette 13 June 1957:

‘In recognition of distinguished services in the operations in the Near East, October-December 1956.’

Ernest Walter Bastin, a native of Teignmouth, was originally recommended for gallant deeds in the destroyer H.M.S. Meteor in early January 1944, shortly after his part in Arctic convoy RA55A, which statement of services led to his “mention” (London Gazette 8 June 1944 refers). And, other than carrying out screening work off Normandy in June, the Meteor remained actively engaged on the Arctic run throughout most of that year, an early success being the destruction of the U-314 during convoy JW56B on 30 January, shortly after Bastin was put forward for his “mention”. On that occasion, in company with fellow convoy escort Whitehall, the Meteor, under Lieutenant-Commander D. J. P. Jewitt, R.N., carried out a four hour long pursuit and attack - there were no survivors from the U-314.

Subsequently nominated for service in the Mediterranean, Meteor arrived in the Aegean in December 1944, where she carried out interception patrols, under Lieutenant-Commander R. D. Pankhurst, R.N., and it was during just such an operation on the night of 17-18 March 1945, in company with the Lookout, that she fought an outstanding engagement with three enemy destroyer TBs, the whole taken by surprise on returning from minelaying off Cape Corso, Corsica - two of the TBs were sunk and 244 of the enemy picked up and taken prisoner, Meteor being directly credited with the destruction of the TA-24 (Ex Italian Arturo). Pankhurst’s official report states:

‘The enemy reaction was slow. After I had fired a good many salvoes he started firing close range tracer up into the air on his port bow - this may have been a signal to his consort? Then I observed up to half a dozen splashes short and ahead of me. It looked as if he was firing from one double-mounting. Three times I saw his tracer coming towards me. At no time did he attempt to illuminate ... About half way through the action a heavy cordite fire broke out on the enemy’s forecastle. By judicious spreading for line, the enemy was hit frequently throughout his entire length. In what seemed like two minutes (actually it was 6-8 minutes), I found myself about 80 degrees on the enemy’s bow at the range of 1900 yards. I then turned to port and fired torpedoes ... one torpedo hit the enemy between his tubes. He was heavily on fire and obviously sinking ... At dawn I returned to the scene of the action and picked up prisoners. The German Medical Officer stated my first hit severed the steering gear and that they were out of control throughout the action. All prisoners stated that they fired six torpedoes at me, but I couldn’t discover when. All prisoners were pretty security minded and none spoke English nor we German ... ’

Bastin was subsequently awarded the B.E.M. for his services in the aircraft carrier Eagle during “Operation Musketeer”, the Anglo-French landings in Suez in November 1956, when her Sea Hawks, Sea Venoms and Skyraiders struck at assorted Egyptian targets.