Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Lieutenant-Commander H. R. de C. Dutton, Royal Navy, who was Mentioned in Despatches for his service as Third Officer of H.M. Submarine Stygian, which had a good deal of success in the Far East during the last two months of the Second World War

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star; Burma Star, 1 clasp, Pacific; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Naval General Service 1915-62, 2 clasps, Palestine 1945-48, Minesweeping 1945-51 (Lieut. H. R. de C. Dutton. R.N.) mounted court-style, good very fine (6) £500-£700

M.I.D. London Gazette 18 December 1945:
‘For courage, efficiency and devotion to duty whilst serving in H.M. Submarines Solent, Selene, Sea Scout, Sleuth, Stygian, Spark and Supreme in aggressive operations against Japanese shipping, often performed in shallow waters and in the face of serious opposition, over a period from July 1944 to August 1945.’

Harvey Ralph de Chairere Dutton was born on 19 June 1924 and joined the Royal Navy (Submarine service) on 24 September 1943. His first service afloat appears to have been as Third Officer in H.M. Submarine Tuna from 25 November 1943, before transferring to H.M. Submarine Stygian on 1 February 1944. After a month at the shore base H.M.S. Maidstone in June 1945, he re-joined H.M.S. Stygian on 8 July 1945, and served in her for the remainder of the War. During his second period of service aboard Stygia, the submarine served in the Far East, where during her short service in this theatre, she sank 8 Japanese sailing vessels, 5 Japanese Coasters, the ship Nichinan Maru and 6 other Japanese vessels. Stygia also sank the Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Wa 104 and damaged the Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser Cha 10.

Between November 1945 and June 1948 Dutton saw service at various depots, before he joined H.M. Submarine Spur on 17 June 1948, and a month later H.M. Submarine Tactician. He was promoted First Lieutenant in 1951, and served in command of H.M. Submarine Alcide, before being promoted Lieutenant-Commander in June 1954. Further commands prior to his retirement in 1958 included H.M. Submarines Scotsman and Tally Ho!

Sold with copied service record.