Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria, to include the Brian Ritchie Collection (Part I)

An exceptional Great War and Second World War “Operation Neptune” Croix de Guerre group of nine awarded to Captain R. E. C. Dunbar, Royal Navy, who was also “mentioned” on no less than five occasions, once for his gallant work off Dieppe during the disastrous raid of August 1942

1914-15 Star (S. Lt., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lieut.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf; French Croix de Guerre 1939, with star riband fitment, together with two tunic riband bars and a wartime portrait photograph, mounted as worn, good very fine or better (9) £800-1000

In June 1943 Dunbar was appointed to the command of the monitor Roberts, a ship that had been designed specifically for shore bombardment. Constructed on the Clyde between 1940-41, she boasted two mighty 15-inch guns (and eight 4-inch ones) as her main armament, and carried a crew of 460 officers and men.

Under Dunbar’s command, she went on to participate in a succession of Allied landings, the first of which was “Operation Husky”, the invasion of Sicily. He received his third “mention” (London Gazette 21 December 1943 refers), the original recommendation stating:

‘Captain Dunbar was in command of H.M.S. Roberts throughout the operations for the capture of Sicily. This monitor operated firstly in support of the landings in the back sector and thereafter in support of the 8th Army advance along the coast from August. Her shooting was very effective and contributed largely to the success of the advance, her only limitation being the shortage of 15-inch bombardment shells.’

Dunbar subsequently commanded the Roberts throughout the Salerno landings and, on returning to home waters, in “Operation Neptune”, the naval component of the Normandy landings, when she was assigned the Houlgate Battery as her primary target. He was awarded his fourth “mention” (London Gazette 28 November 1944 refers), and the French Croix de Guerre, the original recommendation for the latter stating:

‘H.M.S. Roberts proceeded independently to the swept channel leading to the assault area well ahead of the remainder of the force. She was in effect, the spearhead, being overhauled by the remainder of Force ‘D’ when near the Normandy coast. Her initial target was Houlgate Battery. This battery fired a few ineffective rounds at the bombarding ships but was soon silenced by accurate shooting from H.M.S. Roberts. So far as is known, this battery did not fire after D-Day, although field guns later fired from the vicinity. H.M.S. Roberts’ shooting was consistently good and she was always ready for any emergency.’

Finally, in November 1944, following a visit to Le Havre to reduce the intransigent enemy garrison’s moral, her guns roared into action in support of the landings at Walcheren, and Dunbar was awarded his fifth “mention” (London Gazette 24 April 1945 refers), the original recommendation stating:

‘For zeal and devotion to duty during the bombardment of Walcheren Island in support of military operations. The accurate shooting of H.M.S. Roberts, particularly when assisted by spotting aircraft which were grounded by weather during the early stages, provided most effective support for the assaulting troops and pays tribute to the high state of efficiency to which this officer has brought his ship.’

Dunbar reverted to the Retired List in September 1945, in the rank of Captain.

Also see Lot 1004 for his father’s awards.