Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Second War ‘Norway’ 1940 D.S.M. group of eight awarded to Chief Petty Officer A. A. Beeson, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his gallantry aboard H.M.S. Suffolk, when over a period of 8 hours, she was attacked by waves of German aircraft during her retreat back to Scapa Flow

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (J.86401. A. A. Beeson. C.P.O. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.86401. A. A. Beeson. Boy.1 R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (J.86401. A. A. Beeson. P.O. H.M.S. Boscawen.) contact marks to the pre-Second War awards, these nearly very fine; the Second War awards nearly extremely fine (8) £1,000-£1,400

D.S.M. London Gazette 4 October 1940:
‘For gallantry and devotion to duty when engaged with enemy aircraft off the Coast of Norway.’

Alfred Alick Beeson was born in Hungerford, Berkshire, on 3 January 1903. His service for the Great War is unknown, however his Continuous Service record from ADM363, picks up his service as a Leading Seaman aboard H.M.S. Warspite on 23 January 1929. Serving aboard this ship until 3 January 1931, he served on a number of other ships up until 1937, having been promoted Petty Officer in 1934 and being awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 26 February 1936. On 1 January 1937, he joined H.M.S. Suffolk and was promoted Chief Petty Officer in August 1938, serving with this ship until June 1940.

In April 1940 H.M.S. Suffolk participated in the Norwegian Campaign, sinking the German tanker Skagerrak on the 14 April. On 17 April H.M.S. Suffolk and four destroyers, with support from the Royal Air Force, were sent to bombard the airfield at Stavanger -Sola, Norway, under the codename Operation Duck. The attack had little effect on enemy positions; however, on withdrawing the British Squadron was attacked by waves of German aircraft. With too few R.A.F. aircraft to support the withdrawing squadron against overwhelming numbers of German aircraft, the beleaguered squadron had to beat off attacks with their anti aircraft guns. H.M.S. Suffolk, the larger of the five ships, being the only Cruiser, was particularly targeted, fending off attacks for 8 hours. Eventually the squadron managed to struggle back to Scapa Flow. H.M.S. Suffolk herself had been severely damaged and seventy of her crew were either killed or wounded. It was for gallantry during these air attacks that Beeson was awarded the D.S.M.

After time on shore, Beeson joined H.M.S. Nile on 7 August 1941. He was released from service on 22 October 1945, and his service record also notes ‘Commended for courage. C in C Western approaches P1544 of 13 June 1945.’