Auction Catalogue

18 September 1998

Starting at 1:00 PM

.

Orders, Decorations and Medals

Forte Crest Bloomsbury Hotel  Coram Street  London  WC1N 1HT

Lot

№ 698

.

18 September 1998

Hammer Price:
£1,400

A superb Coastal Forces D.S.M. group of four awarded to Chief Motor Mechanic R. H. White, who was also twice mentioned in despatches for his services in Motor Torpedo Boats and Motor Gun Boats

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (MX.69116 R.H. White, A/Ch. Mtr. Mech.) impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; War Medal, with oak leaf M.I.D. emblem, contact marks and polished, therefore nearly very fine (4) £800-1000

D.S.M. London Gazette 29 September 1942 ‘For enterprise and coolness in action against enemy E-Boats and armed Trawlers off the Dutch Coast whilst serving in H.M. Motor Torpedo Boats and Motor Gun Boats.’ Awarded for an action with the enemy on the night of 28/29th July 1942, while serving in M.G.B. 67. The following recommendation was taken from the action report in Admiralty Files: ‘When a 20 mm shell entered this rating’s engine room, piercing the exhaust pipe of the port and starboard engines, he remained cool and carried out the necessary repairs efficiently. While flames were pouring from the starboard exhaust he remained in the engine room in order that his boat could use two engines to clear the scene of the action. During this time he was overcome by exhaust gases and was removed unconscious from the engine room. On recovering, he re-entered the engine room with a gas mask and continued to work there until his ship was clear of the action.’

M.I.D.
London Gazette 3 March 1942 ‘For leadership, coolness and skill in action against the enemy.’ Seedie’s Roll states M.G.B. 65 for an action with E-boats in the Nore area on 19 December 1941.

M.I.D.
London Gazette 25 July 1944 ‘For undaunted courage, leadership and skill in Light Coastal Craft in successful attacks on enemy shipping in enemy coastal waters.’ Seedie’s Roll states M.T.B. 450 for a night action with enemy light forces in the Channel on 11 May 1944.

As his rewards testify, he was frequently in action and mention of these engagements can be found in Peter Scott’s
Battle of the Narrow Seas, and Lt Cmdr Peter Hitchens’ posthumous memoir We fought them in Gunboats. Apart from serving alongside the legendary ‘Hitch’ Hitchens, winner of two D.S.O.’s and no less than three D.S.C.’s, Raymond White had a succession of distinguished skippers: Lt Cmdr G. E. Bailey, D.S.O.; Lt J. D. Dixon, D.S.C., and Lt J. ‘Jumper’ Collins, the last of whom was killed in action in July 1944 in an engagement with four E-boats west of Cap d’Antifer. Once again, White had witnessed a classic and ferocious channel duel, although on this occasion no reward followed. The lot is sold with his original Certificate of Service, two M.I.D. certificates, the latter trimmed down for framing, and a copy of the full action report for the D.S.M.