Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine submariner’s D.S.M. group of five awarded to Stoker Petty Officer A. H. H. Cox, Royal Navy, H.M. Submarine Venturer, for the destruction of U-771 whilst both boats were submerged off the Norwegian coast

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Sto. P.O., P/K 66097); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (K.66097 L. Sto. H.M.S. Shark) nearly extremely fine (5) £1000-1200

D.S.M. London Gazette 30 January 1945: ‘For courage, skill and undaunted devotion to duty in successful patrols in one of HM submarines. Stoker Petty Officer Alfred Henry Hewlett Cox.’ Seedies Roll states, ‘Two Patrols and Special Operations in Northern Waters. Sank the U-771 off Tromso on 11 November 1944 - both submarines submerged at the time.’

The following details are taken from the original award recommendation: ‘For courage, resource and devotion to duty in submarine patrols in hazardous waters off the coast of Norway. Cox has served in Venturer since she was commissioned. During this period she has carried out eight war patrols, five of which were close inshore in hazardous Norwegian waters, and has sunk one 740 ton U-boat and three merchant vessels, has damaged another merchant vessel and possibly damaged by gunfire a further one. She has also successfully carried out a special operation. As one of the senior ratings in the Engine Room Department Cox has contributed greatly to the success of these patrols, which have been marked by the lack of mechanical failures.’

Petty Officer Cox joined the submarine service in May 1935 and received his L.S. & G.C. whilst serving on the Shark, which was sunk in a desperate action in July 1940, the surviving crew becoming POW’s for the rest of the war. Luckily for Cox, he had fallen sick in May 1940 and spent two months in hospital, thereby avoiding the fate of his comrades. Before joining P-68, subsequently named Venturer, in 1943, Cox saw service in the submarines H-28 and P-229. Venturer’s skipper, Lieutenant J. S. Launders, won the D.S.C. for the sinking of the Italian cruiser Trento by the Umbra in June 1942. He took command of Venturer when she was commissioned in May 1943 and, in her, went on to win a Bar to his D.S.C. and two D.S.O’s. Sold with copies of the official Patrol Reports.