The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 1)

A superb D.S.M. and Bar group awarded to Coxwain Thomas Telfer, H.M. Submarine “Triumph”, who was taken prisoner when he volunteered to join a Commando raid landed from the submarine in an attack on Sicily

Six: Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar (JX.130801 T. Telfer, P.O. H.M.S. Triumph) impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; War Medal; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (P.O. H.M.S. Selene) very fine and rare (6)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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D.S.M. London Gazette 20 January 1942 “For courage, skill, and resolution in successful submarine patrols.” Awarded for five Mediterranean War Patrols by H.M. Submarine TRIUMPH from February to July 1941. She sank the Italian Submarine SALPA off Mersa Matruh on 27 June 1941.

Bar to D.S.M. London Gazette 5 May 1942 “For daring enterprise and devotion to duty in successful patrols in H.M. Submarines”

M.I.D. London Gazette 18 December 1945. Mentioned when H.M. Submarine SELINE sank a small enemy vessel off the Philippines in March 1945.

The following recommendation for the Bar to Telfer’s D.S.M. was extracted form the official report of TRIUMPH’s War Patrol: “For his coolness, courage and devotion to duty as second Coxswain of H.M.S. TRIUMPH during one patrol since previously being recommended. In this patrol Telfer's excellent handling of the foreplanes was a large contribution to the success of a torpedo attack on the Italian cruiser BOLZANO in spite of heavy depth charging both during and after the attack. For his courage and efficiency during a special operation in which a railway bridge in Sicily was successfully blown up. Telfer volunteered to assist the military landing party in this enterprise, which necessitated his making two landings on enemy territory. From the second of these he, with seven soldiers, unfortunately failed to return. The army officer in charge of the operation has nothing but praise for Telfer's cheerful cooperation.”

On 19 August 1941, TRIUMPH embarked a team of twelve men of No. 2 Commando under Lieut D. Schofield, Royal Fusiliers, together with eight Foldboats, 2015 lbs of T.N.T. plastic explosive, and other demolition stores. TRIUMPH’s reload torpedoes had to be landed ashore to provide stowage for these stores. The Commando’s target was the main Messina-Palermo railway.

TRIUMPH first attacked the Italian battle-fleet north of Messina, torpedoing the cruiser BOLZANO; this was immediately followed by a heavy and accurate depth charge counter attack. The BOLZANO was later successfully sunk by a “Human Torpedo” attack (see previous lot). The Submarine withdrew to carry out the Commando raid but, on approaching the shore, encountered a fishing vessel in the mist and sank it, having again to withdraw since the gunfire had compromised their position, but not before taking on board six Italian fishermen, two of whom were badly wounded. The Submarine was now very cramped, hot and sticky, conditions made worse by the smell from the wounds of the two badly wounded prisoners.

The next evening, 29th August, TRIUMPH approached and launched the raiding party in their Foldboats at Torrente Furiano. Eight boats were launched, four for the raiding party and another four who would bring the raiding party back. Petty Officer Telfer volunteered to join Lieut Schofield and his six Commandos, making the strength of the raiding party eight in total. The four boats of the raiding party were smashed on landing and Schofield abandoned any idea of returning to TRIUMPH. He was determined that the bridge should be blown up at all costs and his men were imbued with the same idea. This is borne out by the fact that he sent the remaining four boats back to the submarine instead of ordering them to lie off outside the surf and ferry the remainder back after the demolition had been completed. He sent no message back with these four boats. At 0320 hrs on the 30th August, one and a half spans of the railway bridge were successfully demolished, but the Commando party could not be re-embarked and all, including Telfer, were taken prisoner.

Subsequent rewards to the gallant little team included one D.C.M., four M.M.’s and a Bar for Telfer’s D.S.M. TRIUMPH continued with her War Patrols but, on 20 January 1942, she was lost with all hands through unknown causes, but is thought to have run into a recently laid enemy minefield. Petty Officer Telfer, as a result of his captivity, became one of very few survivors who had served aboard this famous Submarine. He was released following the Italian surrender in 1944 and next served aboard the Submarine SELINE, being mentioned in despatches for his part in the sinking of a small craft in the Philippines.