Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An excellent Adriatic operations D.S.M. group of six awarded to Able Seaman William Jinks, Royal Navy, for services aboard M.T.B. 655 during which he was wounded and twice mentioned in despatches

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (A.B. W. Jinks, P/JX.297779) engraved naming; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal, with M.I.D. oak leaf, together with two news cuttings, and original Certificate of Service and Certificate for Wounds and Hurts, the latter granted when he was wounded aboard M.T.B. 655 on 18 June 1944, extremely fine (6) £1200-1400

D.S.M. London Gazette 24 July 1945: For providing target illumination for the bombardment of Karlobag in Yugoslavia.

M.I.D. London Gazette 10 April 1945: For an attack by M.T.B. 655 on enemy forces off Elba on 17 June1944.

M.I.D. London Gazette 17 April 1945: For an attack by M.T.B. 655 on an enemy garrison and escaping from Rogae Cove, Yugoslavia, on 22 August 1944.

The following details and recommendation for the D.S.M. are taken from the official action report: “Attack by MTB’s and MGB’s using torpedoes and gunfire on town of Karlobag in the Adriatic on the night of 17/18 February 1945. Boats present MTB’s 699, 703 & 655 and MGB 660. Fine clear, starry night, wind direction and force Northerly 2, visibility good. At 2034 on 17 February 1945 the unit slipped from Zara and proceeded to the Planinsiri Channel by route North of Vir and Ljubac Bay. The channel was entered at 2304 and following the east side in the shadow of the mountains the unit reached Blumnica Cove (speed 10 knots), where it crossed over to the Pag Island side to Sveti Kristofor Point. At this stage 0040 a challenge (AA) was seen opposite from Gernika Velika Cove followed by a further one, three or four hundred yards up - these were ignored. Keeping close into Pag Island the unit passed Karlobag at 0048 and continued on till 0053 (9 knots) when it turned and headed down the middle of the channel (Course S 42 E). At this moment MTB 655 detached herself to take station on the starboard beam as she was to act as illuminating ship. At 0103 the Karlobag battery at Videvac (two or three 105 mm’s) opened fire, the first shot landing by MTB 655’s bow, killing the Pom Pom loading member and wounding the twin Oerlikon loading member in the head, also damaging the former gun's turret. Despite this unfortunate occurrence the Gunner, Able Seaman W. Jinks, got his gun to work and showed great coolness and determination in keeping the harbour and town well illuminated. There was no shipping visible. The unit now came under considerable fire from MG and 20 mm's and also some 40 mm from the Pag Island side, despite this Lieut. Taylor was able to get his torpedoes away in a cool and efficient manner. All guns in our force opened fire at 0104 and the target area was well covered - a large white house at the quay side being set on fire. At 0106 smoke was made and speed increased to 16 knots. At 0125 unit stopped to examine damage to MTB 655, this being slight, speed was increased to 18 knots and Zara entered at 0455.”

Only two gallantry awards were given for this action, the D.S.C. to Lieut. Taylor from MTB 703, and the D.S.M. to Able Seaman Jinks from MTB 655.

William Jinks was born in Bradfield Green, Cheshire on 2 April 1923. He made his living as an automatic machinist before joining the Royal Navy on 6 October 1941 for the period of hostilities. He joined H.M.S. Collingwood as an Ordinary Seaman in October 1941, and in this rank he served aboard the following ships: Victory December 1941, St Christopher January 1942, St Christopher (M.L.465) February 1942, Sandfly (M.L.465) March 1942, Mentor (M.L.465) May 1942, in which he was advanced to Able Seaman; Fox (M.L.465) August 1942, Attack October 1942, St Christopher (M.T.B.622) October 1942, St Christopher (M.T.B.655) January 1943, Hannibal (C.M.B.) May 1943, St Angelo (M.T.B.655) August 1943, Hornet May 1945, and Victory July 1945. He was released from service in Class A on 31 May 1946

Further details of the actions that M.T.B. 655 took part in will be found in Dudley Pope’s Flag 4 which gives an excellent narrative of the Light Coastal Forces operations in the Mediterranean and particulary in the Adriatic in support of Tito’s partisan forces.