Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War ‘Operation Pedestal’ D.S.M. awarded to Ship’s Steward H. O’Connor, Merchant Navy, for service aboard the M.V. Melbourne Star, killed when serving aboard the same ship on 2 April 1943

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (H. O’Connor, Stwd.) in case of issue, extremely fine £1000-1400

D.S.M. London Gazette 10 November 1942. ‘For bravery and dauntless resolution while serving in H.M. Ships .... and in H.M. aircraft-carriers, merchantmen and oilers when an important convoy was fought through to Malta in the face of relentless attacks by day and night from enemy submarines, aircraft and surface forces.’

Ship’s Steward Herbert O’Connor was awarded the D.S.M. for his bravery and distinguished service aboard the the M.V. Melbourne Star during ‘Operation Pedestal’. Leaving Gibraltar on 10 August 1942, the Melbourne Star was one of the merchant ships that braved the incessant attacks and made it to beleaguered Malta on 13 August. His recommendation states that he was rewarded for his ‘General service throughout, manning machine guns and Oerlikons as required’.

Some months later, Chief Steward O’Connor was killed when serving aboard the M.V. Melbourne Star, aged 41 years. The liner was torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine, U-129, some 600 miles S.E. of Bermuda, on 2 April 1943. Thirty-one passengers and 82 officers and crew, including O’Connor, were killed. Only four survivors were landed at Bermuda on 10 May - all four were awarded the B.E.M.

With original photograph of the recipient and family at his investiture and with copied recommendation.