Auction Catalogue

19 & 20 July 2017

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 79

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19 July 2017

Hammer Price:
£1,400

A fine Second War 1942 ‘Operation Ironclad’ D.S.M., 1949 Military Division B.E.M. group of nine awarded to Chief Air Artificer A. Bennett, H.M.S. Illustrious, Royal Navy, for his gallantry in support of the landings and capture of Diego Suarez, 5 - 7 May 1942, as part of the Battle of Madagascar

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R (FX. 75114 A. Bennett. Air. Art. 4.); British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 2nd issue (C.A.A. Alfred Bennett, D.S.M. L/FX 7114); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Pacific Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue, with Second Award Bar (FX. 75114 A. Bennett. L. Sto. H.M.S. Sussex.), mounted for display, generally good very fine (9) £1400-1800

D.S.M. London Gazette 25 August 1942:

‘For bravery and enterprise while serving in H.M. Ships, Transports and Royal Fleet Auxiliaries in the successful operations which led to the surrender of the important base of Diego Suarez.’

B.E.M.
London Gazette 9 June 1949.

Alfred Bennett initially served during the Second War as a Leading Stoker with H.M.S. Sussex (heavy cruiser), and was employed with her when she operated as part of Force H in the South Atlantic and Indian Ocean during the search for the enemy German raider Admiral Graf Spee. On 2 December 1939 she and the battlecruiser HMS Renown intercepted the German passenger ship Watussi. Before the German ship could be captured she was scuttled by her own crew.

Bennett subsequently served as an Air Artificer in H.M.S.
Illustrious (aircraft carrier), and his service with her included for Operation Ironclad - the landings and capture of the Vichy held Diego Suarez, 5-7 May 1942, as part of the Battle for Madagascar. Illustrious's aircraft were tasked to attack French naval units and shipping and to defend the invasion fleet, while her half-sister Indomitable provided air support for the ground forces. For the operation the carrier's air group numbered 20 Martlets, 1 night-fighting Fulmar and 20 Swordfish, and they managed to sink a variety of Vichy French shipping. He advanced to Chief Air Artificer, and after the war served at H.M.S. Falcon, Malta.

Bennett was awarded the Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., 5 December 1939, and the Second Award Bar, 26 August 1954.