Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second World War Coastal Forces D.S.M. group of six awarded to Leading Seaman J. Wilkinson, Royal Navy, an M.T.B. Coxswain who maintained a steady course in the middle of a firefight with enemy R-Boats and Armed Trawlers off the Hook of Holland in November 1944

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Ldg. Smn. J. Wilkinson, D/SXX. 23061); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue (SXX. 23061, D.S.M., Dev. B. 19908, L.S., R.F.R.) contact wear and edge nicks, about very fine and better (6) £700-900

D.S.M. London Gazette 23 January 1945. The recommendation states:

‘For skill and coolness in action with enemy trawlers. As Coxswain he carried out his orders with skill and coolness, and made possible a successful torpedo attack. His cheerfulness and courage in action was, as always, an inspiration to the remainder of the crew.’

John Wilkinson, who was from North Shields, was Coxswain of M.T.B. 474, part of the 30th M.T.B. Flotilla. His C.O. was an old Wellingtonian, Lieutenant Hon. F.M.A. “Freddie” Shore (afterwards Lord Teignmouth), who had already won a D.S.C. in the Mediterranean and would shortly add a Bar to his decoration for his command of M.T.Bs back in home waters.

474, a product of the British Power Boat Company, was completed in May 1944, and it is more than probable that Wilkinson joined her at that time, especially since his D.S.M. recommendation refers to his courage having ‘always’ been to the fore. That being the case, he would have seen action off the Normandy coast in July and August 1944, when Coastal Forces had the unenvious task of protecting the invasion fleet and main beachhead from marauding E and R Boats. Indeed 474 fought a ferocious engagement with some R-Boats in late July, gaining a number of hits with her 6-pounder, Oerlikon and Vickers guns, but not without cost, three men being wounded - the bridge was hit by 37mm. and 20mm. rounds, in addition to numerous 303 rounds, so “Freddie” Shore and his Coxswain undoubtedly experienced some hair-raising moments. But on the night of 8-9 August, a far more successful encounter occurred, 474 sinking an enemy merchant vessel and damaging its R-Boat escort. Two crew members were awarded the D.S.M.

The action for which Wilkinson won his D.S.M., fought off Ijmuiden in the Hook of Holland on the night of 1-2 November 1944, amounted to a complex and protracted firefight with assorted R-Boats and enemy Armed Trawlers, one of our M.T.Bs suffering extensive damage. The engagement commenced at 0218 hours, when our M.T.Bs were illuminated by a star shell fired by an enemy convoy, the latter opening up a hot and accurate fire at 8000 yards range. At 0239 four more enemy ships were sighted and the M.T.Bs came under even harsher 88mm. fire, so much so that “Freddie” Shore decided to mount a torpedo attack as soon as a suitable target presented itself. Thus at 0325 hours, when 474 found herself in position to attack an Armed Trawler, Shore gave the order to fire torpedoes, one of them finding its mark. He then ordered Wilkinson to take 474 through the surrounding smoke screen to inspect their target, which, by its very size, was almost certainly an Armed Icelandic Trawler - she was lying on her side and burning. Meanwhile, M.T.B. 471, part of Shore’s force, had been badly hit by 88mm. fire, and Shore ordered Wilkinson to take 474 alongside so that a Sick Berth Attendant could be brought aboard to help the wounded. That accomplished, 474 rigged a tow to 471 and brought her clear of the scene of battle. All of our M.T.Bs eventually reached port.