Orders, Decorations and Medals

A ‘Defence of Tobruk’ D.S.M. awarded to Seaman T. H. Jessop, Royal Naval Patrol Service
Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (JX.174575, Smn. R.N.P.S.) edge bruising and scratching, otherwise very fine

D.S.M. London Gazette 27 January 1942. ‘For bravery and endurance while minesweeping and when attacked by enemy aircraft.’

Seaman Jessop was serving aboard H.M.S. Skud III which was attacked in Tobruk harbour on 17 August 1941, set on fire and sunk with the loss of six killed and six wounded. Forty Stuka dive-bombers attacked the defences and succeeded in sinking the minesweeping whaler Skud III, but the defender’s barrage sent 3 aircraft crashing, hit 6 others hard and damaged several others. Seaman Jessop was among those wounded in the attack and invalided from the service on 7 November 1942. Sold with copies from Admiralty records describing the attack and reports on Operation ‘Treacle’, the supply of Tobruk during the defence.