Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A good Second World War destroyer operations D.S.M. group of nine awarded to Able Seaman A. T. Blake, Royal Navy: a director-layer, he proved instrumental in assisting the guns of H.M.S. Brocklesby bring down a Ju. 88 during the withdrawal from St. Nazaire in March 1942

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (J. 32800 A. T. Blake, A.B.); 1914-15 Star (J. 32820 Boy 1, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J. 32820 A.B., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., coinage bust, with Bar for Second Award (J. 32820 A.B., H.M.S. Sardonyx) the Great War period awards with contact marks and polished, fine, the remainder very fine and better (9)
£1000-1200

D.S.M. London Gazette 26 May 1942. The recommendation states:

‘As Director-Layer, he showed great zeal and eagerness to engage the enemy and in all enemy air attacks has remained exceptionally cheerful, cool and resolute, and an excellent example to all around him.’

Albert Thomas Blake was recommended for two actions against enemy aircraft while serving in the destroyer H.M.S. Brocklesby, the first of them on 20 March 1942, off Trevose Head, when two were destroyed, and the second, on 28 March 1942, in the Bay of Biscay during the withdrawal from St. Nazaire, when one Ju. 88 was destroyed and another damaged.

Brocklesby made haste to join the St. Nazaire raiders only hours before the commencement of “Operation Chariot”, in order to provide air cover to those survivors lucky enough to clear the Loire estuary in their assorted coastal craft: so badly damaged were these craft that she subsequently had the sad duty of sinking three of them with her guns, including M.G.B. 314, in which Able Seaman W. A. Savage, V.C. had fought and died - his body was brought home to Falmouth in the Brocklesby’s wardroom bath.

A few months later, in August 1942, Brocklesby was back in action in the equally famous Dieppe raid, when she covered the withdrawal from Green Beach and was damaged by the enemy’s shore batteries.

Blake was invested with his D.S.M. on 27 October 1942.