Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War ‘Salerno’ and ‘Anzio’ Landings D.S.C. group of nine awarded to Boatswain Harry Ashworth, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse dated 1944; British War and Victory Medals (J.57994 Boy 1 R.N.) the B.W.M. renamed;1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; War Medal; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., coinage head (P.O. H.M.S. Bridgewater) mounted as worn, the Great War medals good fine, otherwise good very fine (9) £500-700

D.S.C. London Gazette 1 August 1944: ‘For outstanding courage, leadership, resource and determination during the assault on Anzio and in subsequent bombardments in support of the Army, and in maintaining an unbroken flow of supplies which accomplished the building up of the beach-head despite bombing, mining and bombardment by shore batteries.’

The following citation was extracted from Admiralty records: ‘Recommendations for awards to officers and ratings who have served in L.S.T. (Landing Ship Troops) in the Mediterranean from the invasion of Sicily in July 1943, until the completion of the build-up of the Anzio beach head in April 1944. During the landing operations on the Sicilian and Italian coasts L.S.T. were employed for the first time in large numbers and due to the fine spirit shown by their crews, more than came up to my expectations. During their stay in the Mediterranean these ships have been continuously employed on ferrying troops and stores to the forward areas and can justly claim credit for having kept the Armies fully supplied during these critical months. Their finest achievement has been the build-up of the Anzio beach head where despite enemy bombing, mining and bombardment, stores averaging five to six thousand tons daily have been discharged.

Mr Harry Ashworth, Boatswain, R.N., Party “Chain” (2) - Operation Husky, Avalanche & Shingle. Was launched with his party onto Salerno and Anzio beaches with a pontoon causeway. His courage and fearlessness inspired his party of young seamen to work in the causeway in spite of shell-fire and air attacks, extending over a period of 10 and 30 days.’

Harry Ashworth was born on 30 January 1901, at Shardlow, Derby, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 25 August 1916. He served afloat during the war aboard Impregnable and Colossus. Appointed Temporary Boatswain (Acting) on 9 November 1940, Harry Ashworth served aboard H.M.S. Prince Leopold during the commando raid on Vaagso, Norway, in January 1941. He was appointed to H.M.S. Hannibal, base at Algiers, on 12 April 1943, for Sea Transport Duties, and took part in the Sicily and Italy landings. He was invested with his D.S.C. at Buckingham Palace on 16 October 1945, and retired with the rank of Lieutenant on 1 October 1953.