Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War D.S.C. and Bar group of seven to Rear-Admiral G. C. Crowley, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1943’, hallmarks for London 1942, reverse inscribed, ‘Lieut. G. C. Crowley, R.N.’, with Second Award Bar; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star; Burma Star, clasp, Pacific; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D. Oakleaf; United Nations Korea Medal, mounted Court style as worn, together with riband bar, very fine (7) £500-700

C.B. London Gazette 8 June 1968 (Rear Admiral).

D.S.C. London Gazette 1 January 1943 (Lieutenant, R.N., H.M.S. Nestor).

Bar to D.S.C. London Gazette 10 April 1945. ‘For gallantry, skill and leadership in an engagement with enemy E-Boats whilst serving with H.M. Ships Walpole, Curzon and Torrington and the Light Coastal Forces.’ (Acting Lieutenant Commander, R.N., H.M.S. Walpole).

The recommendation states: ‘H.M.S. Walpole has had several encounters with E-Boats during the last five months and in every case Lieutenant Commander Crowley has handled and fought his ship with marked ability. The engagement on the night of 22nd / 23rd December 1944 was a fitting climax to the series: on this occasion the Walpole was so placed that two separate groups of E-Boats came into her patrol zone, both groups were very roughly treated and it was due largely to Crowley’s sound appreciations, as well as to his skilful and determined handling that one E-Boat was destroyed, another almost certainly destroyed and several damaged.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 11 June 1946 (Lieutenant Commander, R.N., H.M.S. Tenacious).


George Clement Crowley was born in 9.6.1916 and educated at Pangbourne College. Entering the Royal Navy in 1933 he served in China and New Zealand during 1934-39. Crowley served during the Second World War aboard destroyers; aboard H.M.S. Nestor in 1942 serving on Malta convoys, commanding H.M.S. Walpole, 1943-45 and H.M.S. Tenacious, 1945-46. For his wartime services he received the D.S.C. and bar and was mentioned in despatches. After the war he held various staff appointments. During 1953-55 he was Executive Officer aboard H.M.S. Newfoundland, in 1955-57 was Drafting Commander at Chatham and Assistant Director of Plans, 1957-59. Promoted Captain in 1957 Crowley served with the 7th Destroyer Squadron 1959-61 and was Commanding Officer of the Training Establishment, H.M.S. Raleigh, 1961-63. Further senior appointments followed, as Captain of Fleet to Flag Officer C-in-C Far East Fleet, 1963-64, on the Staff of Joint Exercise Unison 1964-65, on the Staff of Defence Operational Analysis Establishment at Byfleet, 1965-66 and after attaining the rank of Rear-Admiral in 1966, was Director-General of Naval Personal Services, 1966-68. During 1969-75 he held the position of Fellow and Domestic Bursar of Corpus Christi College, Oxford University. Sold with copied research details.