British Groups

Lot 4039    The J.J.Atkinson Collection    British Groups

Estimate $3,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $3,000

GROUP OF FIVE TO LEADING WIREMAN OSWALD STEPHEN SLACK, Royal Navy Distinguished Service Medal (GVIR) (L.Wireman. O.S.Slack. C/MX. 64455); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Italy Star; British War Medal 1939-45. Distinguished Service Medal only named, impressed. Very fine.

DSM: London Gazette 14 August 1945. 'For distinguished service, efficiency and zeal whilst serving in HM BYMS2075 in the clearance of the Aegean and the relief of Greece during the period 1944-45. During the operation in ground mine clearance of Saloniki Bay, with B.Y.M.S. 2033 in company, fifty-eight ground mines were detonated, during the period 6th to 13th of November 1944. Throughout, Slack displayed untiring devotion to duty maintaining the electrical equipment of the ship in constant working order despite the shocks from many explosions. The long hours put in by this man after sweeping each day enabled the ship to continue sweeping without a single breakdown during the whole time that the clearance was in progress.'

Together with copy of the recommendation for the award; photographs of the recipient in uniform, photograph of minesweepers in action; Buckingham Palace forwarding slip; and copy of London Gazette entry.