Orders, Decorations and Medals

Seven: Lieutenant-Commander D. M. McConnell, Royal Navy

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star; Burma Star, clasp, Pacific; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D. oakleaf, these unnamed; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (A/Lt. Cdr.(E), R.N.) very fine and better (7) £260-300

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1945 (H.M.S. Argonaut).

Dennis Malcolm McConnell was born in Ceylon on 4 May 1918. Educated in England, he joined the Royal Navy as Cadet in January 1936. After passing out as a Midshipman (Engineering) in December 1936, he went to the Royal Naval Engineering College in Devonport. After passing out as a Sub-Lieutenant (E) in April 1940, he was posted to the cruiser H.M.S. Glasgow. On 3 December 1940, whilst employed in the Mediterranean, the Glasgow was attacked by Italian torpedo armed aircraft at Suda Bay, Crete and was damaged by two hits. For his bravery in assessing the damage McConnell was recommended for a ‘mention in despatches’ (M.I.D. apparently not given).

Recommendation reads: ‘H.M.S. Glasgow, 21st December 1940’ ‘Sub-Lieuteant (E) Dennis Maclom McConnell’ ‘Went down alone to the Half Deck to investigate the damage wearing only a gas mask, as no “Salvus” or Pattern 230 was available. He was overcome by fumes and taken to the Sick Bay. On coming round, he returned to the scene of the damage and took charge of the parties working there.’

The damaged ship managed to struggle back to Alexandria. Then in the Indian Ocean, the Glasgow was involved in operations against the pocket-battleship Admiral Scheer, February-March 1941, before going to the Brooklyn Navy Yard for repairs. McConnell’s next posting was on the cruiser H.M.S Argonaut as Senior Engineer, serving in the Indian Ocean and Singapore. The ship returned to home waters in time for D-Day and formed part of the support force for ‘Gold’ Beach and was involved in the bombardment of bridges and German positions around Caen. For his services aboard H.M.S. Argonaut, McConnell was mentioned in despatches. During December 1945-July 1946 he was employed as Torpedo Engineer Officer at H.M.S. Moreta at Haifa. McConnell’s later served aboard H.M. Ships Norfolk and Indomitable. His last appointment was as a Personnel Selection Officer at H.M.S. Fisgard, Cornwall. He retired from the Navy in April 1958.



With photograph of the recipient; original M.I.D. Certificate; M.I.D. recommendation slip; the recipient’s hand-written account of his Naval service; Certificate for Qualifying in the Course of Diving for the rank of Lieutenant, October 1939; Certificate for Qualifying in the Course of Engineering for the rank of Lieutenant, May 1940; R.N.E. College, Keyham Economics of Engineering Certificate, May 1940; Engine Room Training of Officers specialising in Engineering Certificate, October 1940; Service Certificates ‘Flimsies’ (14) - dating from December 1936 as a Cadet (E) Midshipman (E) at H.M.S. Drake, to April 1953 as a Lieutenant-Commander at H.M.S. Fisgard. All these papers all held in an album; together with copied gazette extracts.