Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The fine ‘Combined Operations’ group of twelve awarded to Captain C. A. Kershaw, Royal Navy, who played an important role on the Lofoten Islands raid, before commanding H.M.S. Bulolo during the invasion of Sicily and Normandy, and was a splendid all-round sportsman, playing Rugby for England and representing Great Britain at fencing at two Olympic games

1914-15 Star (Sub. Lt. C. A. Kershaw, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lieut. C. A. Kershaw. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Burma Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1937; Russia, Empire, Order of St. Stanislas, third class breast badge, without swords, gold and enamel; Greece, Kingdom, Knight’s Gold Cross breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, mounted court-style as worn, enamel chip to eleventh and loss of enamel on wreath, otherwise generally good very fine (12) £1,000-£1,400

M.I.D. London Gazette 12 August 1941:
’for good services in the successful raid on the Lofoten Islands’.

M.I.D. London Gazette 14 November 1944:
‘For gallantry, skill, determination, and undaunted devotion to duty during landing of Allied Forces on the coast of Normandy.’

Cecil Ashworth Kershaw was born on 3 February 1895, the son of Sir Lewis Kershaw, K.C.S.I., C.I.E., and was educated at Wharfedale School and the Naval Colleges at Osborne and Dartmouth. Commissioned on 15 January 1913, he served in Warner until July 1915. Kershaw served in H.M. Submarines between 1916-19, including on E9 from September 1917 to October 1918 and K15 until March 1919.

After the war, Kershaw was a physical and recreational training officer, serving in H.M.S. Hood from 1926-27, Gagnes from 1928-30 and in Dragon, as Executive Officer, from 1931-32, retiring, at his own request, on 14 July 1933, having been promoted Commander on 31 December 1930.

Kershaw was a ‘brilliant scrum half’ and made 14 appearances for England with W. J. A. Davies (described as ‘one of the most celebrated partnerships in the history of Rugby football’), as well as playing in the centenary match at Rugby School. In addition, he fenced for Great Britain in the 1920 Antwerp Olympics and at those in Paris in 1924; and was a distinguished hockey player for Suffolk and cricketer.

Re-entering naval service for the Second War, Kershaw was posted to training establishment H.M.S. Collingwood from 1939-40, being granted the rank of Captain (retired) on 3 February 1940. Kershaw commanded infantry landing ship H.M.S. Queen Emma during the Lofoten Islands raid, for which he was mentioned in despatches. Codenamed “Claymore”, the raid was a great success, the combined attacking force destroying 18 cod-liver oil factories (capable of producing nitro-glycerine) and taking around 215 prisoners, in addition to embarking over 300 Norwegians.

After distinguishing himself in Norway, Kershaw commanded H.M.S. Alaunia, the armed merchant cruiser, from 1941-43, before spending a little time attached to the Royal Indian Navy. Kershaw served in H.M.S. Salsette from June to December 1943, the Combined Operations base in Bombay, before taking command of H.M.S. Bulolo, the armed merchant cruiser, from December 1943 to 1944. She took part in Operation Husky (the invasion of Sicily) as the flagship of Rear Admiral Thomas Troubridge in charge of 'Force A' commanding the British XIII Corps (at the Gulf of Noto) between July and August 1943, and then as flagship commanding 'Task Force Peter' embarking the British 1st Division during Operation Shingle, the landings at Anzio in January 1944. The Bulolo then returned to Britain in April 1944 in readiness for Operation Overlord, the Allied landings being planned for Normandy in June 1944.

On 28 April 1944, Commodore Douglas-Pennant, Naval Commander of Force "G", hoisted his flag on HMS Bulolo. Thereafter the Bulolo commenced training for D-Day. On 6 June 1944, Bulolo commanded the landing on Gold Beach, and though she was forced to relocate after receiving incoming fire from the German battery at Longues-sur-Mer, she remained off the beaches directing the assault. On 27 June she returned to Portsmouth. Kershaw died in Worthing, West Sussex, on 1 November 1977, aged 77.

Note: Kershaw’s foreign awards and Great War M.I.D. unconfirmed.