Orders, Decorations and Medals

A good Second World War destroyer operations group of seven awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer E. J. McClaughlin, Royal Navy, who was among those lost in H.M.S. Laforey when she was torpedoed in March 1944

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (MX. 47954 E. J. McClaughlin, T./A. C.E.R.A.), in its case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, in their original addressed card forwarding box with Admiralty condolence slip in the name of ‘Edward James McLaughlin’, extremely fine (7) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The John Chidzey Collection.

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D.S.M. London Gazette 5 October 1943:

‘For unbroken vigilance while serving in H.M. Ships Laforey, Tartar, Lookout, Loyal, Bicester, Lamerton, Zetland, Eskimo and Wilton in operations which prevented the escape of enemy forces after their defeat in North Africa.’

Edward James McLaughlin was decorated for his services in the destroyer H.M.S. Laforey during Operation “Retribution”, Admiral Cunningham’s initiative to prevent Axis forces being evacuated from Tunisia in May 1943. Then commanded by Captain R. M. J. “Tubby” Hutton, D.S.O., R.N., Laforey assisted in the capture of two enemy merchantmen but was severely damaged by shore batteries on 9th, not least by a direct hit in the engine room - here, then, the action in which McLaughlin’s won his D.S.M., while Hutton added a Bar to his D.S.O.

Returning to Force ‘Q’ after repairs at Malta, Laforey went on to lend valuable service in the Sicily and Salerno landings, including the destruction of the Italian submarine Ascianghi on 23 July, but once again, in August, she was damaged by enemy shore batteries and suffered further casualties. Meanwhile, his skipper added the rare distinction of a Second Bar to his D.S.O.

In September, Captain H. T. “Beaky” Armstrong, D.S.O. & Bar, D.S.C. & Bar, R.N. assumed command, Laforey leading the assault forces off ‘P’ Beach at Anzio in January 1944 and picking up survivors from the destroyers Janus and Spartan at the end of the month.

Ordered to join the 14th Destroyer Flotilla in mid-February, Laforey was employed on anti-U-Boat operations, and it was in this latter capacity, on 29-30 March 1944, that she was actively engaged in the pursuit of the U-223 off Palermo - the enemy having been forced to surface after protracted depth-charge attack, Laforey, with her consorts, opened fire at point-blank range, but, in a final act of defiance, the U-Boat’s commander managed to fire three torpedoes, all of which hit the Laforey: she went down quickly, only 65 survivors being picked up out of her original complement of 247 officers and men.

The son of Michael and Ellen McLaughlin of North End, Portsmouth, Edward McLaughlin was 29 years of age, has no known grave and is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.