Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second World War North Russian convoys D.S.M. group of eight awarded to Chief Yeoman of the Signals W. G. Wakeford, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Ch. Y. Sig. P./J. 105550); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (J. 105550 L. Sig., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (J. 105550 A./Y.S., H.M.S. Iron Duke), light contact marks and edge nicks, otherwise generally good very fine (8) £800-1000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals for Services at Sea from the Collection of the Late Oliver Stirling Lee.

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D.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1945. The original recommendation states:

‘For continuous outstanding efficiency and devotion to duty especially when acting as Chief Yeoman of the Flagship during the successful passage of two convoys to North Russia.’

The above recommendation is counter-signed by Vice-Admiral F. Dalrymple-Hamilton and the Admiral C.-in-C., the latter’s statement “concur” being accompanied by the handwritten note, ‘Convoy JW. 58 sailed 27.3.44’; Seedie’s confirms the recipient’s ship as the cruiser H.M.S. Diadem.

Sold with full details regarding JW. 58 and H.M.S. Diadem, which ship participated in several more North Russian runs, in addition to supporting the Allied landings in Normandy in June 1944; accompanying correspondence with surviving crew members of the Diadem would suggest that Wakeford’s time with her was brief, and that he probably transferred from the staff of Dalrymple-Hamilton to that of Rear-Admiral R. McGrigor immediately after JW. 58, a contention that finds backing in the absence of a “France and Germany” clasp on his Atlantic Star.