Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer A. C. Stephens, Royal Navy, almost certainly awarded in respect of the Battle of the River Plate

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (MX. 48888 A. C. Stephens, E.R.A. 4, H.M.S. Exeter); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue (MX. 48888 A. C. Stephens, D.S.M., C.E.R.A., H.M.S. Victory); Chile, Municipality of Concepcion Gratitude Medal for “Ajax” and “Exeter” 1939, bronze, the L.S. & G.C with one or two official corrections, minor contact wear, generally good very fine (7)
£800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The collection of Medals formed by the Late Clive Nowell.

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D.S.M. London Gazette 11 July 1940.

For good services in the Royal Navy since the outbreak of war.

Arthur Charles Stephens was almost certainly serving in H.M.S. Exeter at the time of the Battle of the River Plate, his D.S.M. stemming from a recommendation which must have been written in early 1940. By that stage Exeter was either in the Falklands undergoing repairs, or homeward bound for an extensive refit at Devonport, a refit that lasted until March 1941: in other words she was not engaged in further operations until after the latter date.

As part of the 8th Cruiser Squadron on the South American Station, under Rear-Admiral Henry Harwood, Exeter was heavily engaged against the Graf Spee on 13 December 1939.

Just five minutes after the start of the action, an 11-inch shell burst alongside the British ship, killing torpedo tubes crews. A minute later she received a direct hit on “B” turret which put its two 8-inch guns out of action. Splinters swept the bridge, killing or wounding all but three of the officers and ratings standing there. The Captain escaped and, finding the bridge out of action and the wheel-house communications wrecked, he made his way aft to the fight the ship from there. As he did so, Exeter received two more direct hits from 11-inch shells forward ... The Exeter was still receiving punishment, although it was at this stage of the battle that the light cruisers were taken in and out with such skill, striking the enemy with their full weight whenever he turned to tackle the largest of the British cruisers. Two more 11-inch shells hit the Exeter, causing further casualties and extensive damage. One entered the hull and started a fierce fire between the decks. The other put the foremost turret and its two 8-inch guns out of action. It was on the occasion of these hits that the spotting aircraft reported she had completely disappeared in smoke and flame, and it was feared that she had gone. However, she emerged and re-entered the action. In doing so the men of the Exeter proved again the indomitable spirit of the Royal Navy. Their ship was badly stricken. Two of the three turrets were out of action, leaving no guns forward. She had a 7 degrees list and was down by the head. All her compasses had been smashed, and the Captain was handling his ship with the aid of a small boat’s compass. In these circumstances she altered course towards the enemy and fired her torpedoes ... The Exeter, gradually dropping astern, fought on until she had nothing left to fight with. At about 7.30 a.m. her sole remaining turret was flooded. Ten minutes later she turned to the south-east and slowly limped away, making necessary running repairs as she went ... ’ (The King’s Cruisers, by Norman Holman, refers.

Exeter made her way to the Falkland Islands, where she underwent repairs until January 1940, before she could undertake the return voyage to the U.K. Meanwhile, her casualty return spoke volumes: five officers and 56 ratings killed, three ratings died of wounds, and three officers and 17 ratings otherwise wounded. So, too, the resultant awards to her gallant ship’s company: a C.B., two D.S.Os, seven D.S.Cs, three C.G.Ms, 17 D.S.Ms and 18 “mentions.

Stephens - whose D.S.M. was one of six similar awards gazetted to Exeter’s crew after the first round of River Plate announcements in February 1940 - received his decoration at a Buckingham Place investiture held on 8 February 1944.