Orders, Decorations and Medals

An early Second World War anti-U-boat operations D.S.M. group of six awarded to Leading Seaman P. W. C. Duffield, Royal Navy, Asdic operator aboard the destroyer Havelock at the destruction of the Italian submarine Faa di Bruno in November 1940

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (P/JX. 126166 P. W. C. Duffield, A.B., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (JX. 126166 P. W. C. Duffield, H.M.S. Gregale), generally extremely fine (6) £800-1000

D.S.M. London Gazette 11 February 1941:

‘For courage and skill during an attack on an enemy submarine.’

The original recommendation states:

‘With reference to Western Approaches report of 2 December 1940, forwarding details of an attack by H.M.S. Havelock on a U-Boat on 8 November 1940, it is considered that great credit for this operation is due to Lieutenant O. H. M. St. J. Steiner, R.N., and Able Seaman P. W. C. Duffield, the A./S. Control Officer and S./D. Operator respectively, and it is recommended that their conduct in addition to that of the Commanding Officer, Commander E. H. Thomas, R.N., should be given recognition.’

Philip Walter Christian Duffield was awarded the D.S.M. for Havelock’s sinking of the Italian submarine Faa di Bruno on 8 November 1940. Commander E. H. Thomas, R.N., reported:

‘At 1408 a U-Boat was sighted on the surface, ahead of Havelock, and at first thought to be a destroyer, bows-on. It was painted light and dark grey ... After running three miles from first sighting position, speed was reduced to 18 knots and an A./S. sweep was commenced about 1419. Contact was gained about 1424, broad on the port bow. There was pronounced Hydrophone effect. Havelock then carried out an attack by Chernikeef Log. A pattern of six charges was dropped at 1434, and a huge air bubble, and a large patch of oil rose to the surface. Two masthead lookouts state that a grey object just appeared momentarily in the centre of this air bubble. Contact was held after the attack, and range was again opened to 2,000 yards. Hesperus then joined as Directing Ship.

A second attack was carried out at 1447, but only 12 charges of a pattern of 14 were dropped, as the foremost throwers were not yet reloaded. Bubbles and air continued to rise. Contact was again regained after this attack, but gradually weakened until it disappeared. The area five miles round the position of the attack was searched until 1630. Hesperus was then detached and Havelock searched an area of eight miles radius during the night. At daylight Havelock searched 30 miles North and South of the position of attack.’

Duffield received his D.S.M. at a Buckingham Palace investiture held on 7 November 1941, but sadly did not survive the War, dying on 21 September 1944, while serving as a Leading Seaman at the Poole Coastal Forces base, H.M.S. Tadpole. The husband of Hilda Duffield, he was 33 years of age and is buried in Wyke Regis New Burial Ground, Weymouth.