Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War D.S.C. for the destruction of the U-390, awarded to Lieutenant-Commander Frank Ardern, Royal Naval Reserve, H.M.S. Tavy

Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated 1944; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; War Medal, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted as worn together with related group of four miniatures, D.S.O. case of issue, named Buckingham Palace transmission letter for D.S.C., original Commission document as Temporary Lieutenant in the R.N.R., and Certificate of Appreciation from the London Midland Region of British Railways upon his retirement after 33 years’ service in 1963; the group is accompanied by the O.B.E. (Civil) 1st type and Jubilee 1935 awarded to his father, Mr A. J. Ardern, late Postmaster-Surveyor, Northern Ireland District, together with presentation card, nearly extremely fine (10) £700-900

D.S.C. London Gazette 10 October 1944: ‘For bravery, skill and devotion to duty in H.M. Ships Afflek, Balfour, Eskimo, Wanderer and Tavy and in H.M. Canadian Ships Haida and Huron in anti U-boat operations.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1943 and 1 January 1944, both as Temp. Lieutenant, H.M.S. Abelia.

The following recommendation is taken from the official report made to the U-boat Assessment Committee on the destruction of the U-390 by the Wanderer and Tavy on 5 July 1944:

‘As Commanding Officer H.M.S. Tavy for his prompt action in attacking the diving swirl of the U-boat; for the accurate attack made with hedgehog by his ship at 1457 which at least severely damaged the enemy; and for the subsequent attacks which, together with those of H.M.S. Wanderer encompassed the U-boat’s final destruction. This action reflects credit on Lieutenant-Commander Ardern, R.N.R., both for the skill he displayed at the time and for the efficient state of performance of his Anti-Submarine armament.’

Sold with further research including copies of the official action report.