Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Second War D.S.M. group of five awarded to Acting Temporary Petty Officer D. Cox, 854 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, who was Mentioned in Despatches for his services as a gunner in Swordfishes on offensive patrols off the French and Dutch coasts in 1944, and was awarded the D.S.M. for his gallantry during the attacks on enemy oil installations at Palembang, Sumatra in March 1945, flying Avengers operating from the aircraft-carrier H.M.S. Illustrious

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (A./Temp. P.O. Air D. Cox, F.A.A. FX. 86647), officially engraved naming; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Burma Star, 1 clasp, Pacific; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, good very fine (5) £2,400-£2,800

D.S.M. London Gazette 1 May 1945:
‘For bravery, skill and devotion to duty whilst serving in H.M. Ships ... Illustrious ... in attacks on enemy oil installations at Palembang, Sumatra.’

The original Recommendation states: ‘An altogether outstanding Air Gunner whose calmness and resourceful attitude was most evident on both occasions. His skill with the turret when closely engaged by enemy aircraft undoubtedly saved the aircraft from further damage. His cheerful demeanour was an inspiration to the whole crew.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 January 1945.
The original recommendation (a joint one with Chief Petty Officer H. Stollery) states: ‘These two naval ratings have displayed courage, skill and cheerful endurance in night attacks on light surface vessels off the French and Dutch coasts during the months of July and August 1944.’

Derrick Cox, a native of Rushden, Northamptonshire, served with 854 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, during the Second World War, and was Mentioned in Despatches when, operating as part of 157 (G.R.) Wing from R.A.F. Hawkinge, he flew a flurry of offensive patrols off the coasts of France and Holland at the time of the Normandy campaign, including taking part in the attacks carried out by Swordfish against E-Boats on the night of 16-17 June 1944.

Advanced to Acting Temporary Petty Officer Airman, Cox subsequently joined the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Illustrious, and departed in her for the Far East in September 1944. Having already seen action in the Indian Ocean, Illustrious and the British Pacific Fleet sailed from Sydney, Australia on 16 January 1945 as part of Operation Meridian. The aim of the operation was to attack the enemy's oil installations at Palembang, an aim achieved over two much contested strikes enacted in the last week of January 1945. The first of them, flown on the 24 January, comprised 12 Avengers and 16 Corsairs from Illustrious, a successful strike in which resultant damage reduced the refinery's output by half. A further strike - against a new oil installation - took place on 29 January, this time with 12 Avengers and 12 Corsairs from Illustrious. The attack, in which Cox played a valuable role in defending his damaged aircraft, was overall a great success, and for his gallantry and good gunnery work during these two attacks Cox was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. He saw further action off Palembang, Okinawa, and the Sakishama Islands, prior to V-J Day.

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