Australian Groups

Lot 1541    SESSION 6 (9.30AM TUESDAY 31ST AUGUST)    Australian Groups

Estimate $10,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $15,500

DSC GROUP OF FOUR: Distinguished Service Cross (hallmarked for London 1940 by maker, Garrard & Co Ltd); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45. 19/7/40 Cape Spada Lt. Commander M.M.Singer RN. HMAS. Sydney 1940 on first medal, Lt.Commander M.M.Singer RN. HMAS. Sydney on second medal, Lt.Commander M.M.Singer R.N. H.M.A.S. Sydney on third medal, Lt. Cmdr M.M.Singer RN-HMAS. Sydney on last medal. All medals officially engraved at request of family. The second medal with a carbon spot on obverse and third medal with a carbon spot on reverse, otherwise extremely fine.

Together with official Garrard & Co Ltd case for DSC; RN/RAN Officer's bullion embroidered hat badge; HMAS Sydney sweetheart brooch in gilt and white enamel (38mm), pin-back; RAN sweetheart brooch bar in silver and red, white and blue enamel by Dunkling, with safety chain; b&w postcard featuring the Bartolomeo Colleoni; another postcard by Italian photographic film company, the b&w card features a medal for the Bartolomeo Colleoni with the text below reading, 'This medallion was struck to commemorate the launching of the Italian cruiser "Bartolomeo Colleoni" - destroyed in action with H.M.A.S."Sydney" off Crete 19th July 1940.'; 3 identical b&w photos of Sydney's officers decorated after the sinking of Bartolomeo Colleoni, includes Lieutenant-Commander Michael Morgan Singer D.S.C.; official box for posting medals addressed to 'The Naval Liaison Officer/H.M.Australian Navy Depot/Canberra House/Jermyn Street, London', together with printed document, on one side reads, 'The Secretary of the Admiralty presents his compliments and by Command of the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty has the honour to transmit the enclosed Awards for service in the war of 1939-45. The Lords Commissioners share your sorrow that (handwritten in ink - Lieutenant Commander M.M.Singer, R.N.) in respect of whose service these Awards are granted did not live to receive them.', and on the other side 2 medals are shown to be awarded, namely 1939-45 Star and War Medal 1939-45, also in the box is a Commonwealth Of Australia card ' With the Compliments of The Minister Of State For The Navy'; another box marked, 'Africa Star/Lt.Cmdr. M.M.Singer DSC RN'; postage stamp-like stickers - strip of 4 for (HMAS) Arunta/Conquer Or Die, two strips of 5 for (HMAS) Sydney/Thorough And Ready; leather and felt lined storage box with locking latch.

DSC: LG 27/12/1940, p7279 to Lt Cdr Michael Morgan Singer RN, HMAS Sydney II.

Michael Morgan Singer, born 05Dec1909 at Stoke, Devonport, England; joined Royal Navy as Cadet 01May1927; to Midshipman 01Jan1928; to A/Sub Lt 01May1930; to Sub Lt 01Nov1930; to Lt 01Aug1932; served on various ships and attended Gunnery Course; on loan to RAN as Gunnery Officer in exchange for Lieutenant Storey RAN to relieve Lt-Cdr Rutherford for 'Sydney'; served 17Jan1939 to 31Jul1940 with an Appt as Intelligence Officer HMAS Sydney 26Apr1940; promoted to Lt Commander 01Aug1940 and reappointed to HMAS Sydney; awarded DSC LG27Dec1940 for action against Bartolomeo Colleoni 19Jul1940; married Sybil Emmeline Martha Watts of Western Australia at St Mark's, Sydney, NSW on 25Jul1941; KIA 20Nov1941 missing presumed killed while serving as Gunnery Officer on HMAS Sydney after its battle with the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran; DSC received from London 07Dec1942 and presented to Lt-Cdr Singer's wife, Mrs S.E.M.Singer, by His Excellency The Lieutenant-Governor of Western Australia, Sir James Mitchell, at Government House, Perth on 12Feb1943; Lt Commander M.M.Singer DSC is commemorated at the Plymouth Naval Memorial, Plymouth, Devon, England, panel 44, column 2.

Michael Morgan Singer was the only son of Admiral Sir Morgan Singer KCB, KCVO and Lady Emily Mary Singer (nee Desborough). Admiral Singer had an impressive naval career. He was born in 1864 and was the son of a high ranking naval officer, also named Admiral Morgan Singer. He joined the Royal Navy in 1877 and commanded HMS Flying Fish, HMS Prometheus, HMS Andromeda, HMS Roxburgh, HMS Dominion and HMS Excellent. During World War I he was appointed Director of Naval Ordnance and Torpedoes in August 1914 until March 1917 and then was Second-in-Command of the Tenth Cruiser Squadron on blockade duty. After being promoted to Vice Admiral in February 1919 he was appointed Commander-in-Chief, America and West Indies Station and then was later appointed Admiral Commanding Coastguards and Reserves in 1921. He was also appointed a member of the Imperial War Graves Commission. On 3 March 1924 he was appointed an Admiral and on 1 August 1924, at his own request, he was placed on the Retired List. Admiral Sir Morgan Singer died on 27April 1938, aged 73, at Winchester, England and Lady Singer died on 23 July 1952.

Battle of Cape Spada (sinking of Bartolomeo Colleoni)

HMAS Sydney II, on 18 July 1940, in company with the destroyer HMS Havoc, responded to an enemy report from HMS Hyperion and, sailing to meet the British destroyers, opened fire at 20,000 yards on two pursuing Italian cruisers, Bartolomeo Colleoni and Giovanni Delle Bande Nere. The Italians returned fire, turned away and made smoke and thus the action became a chase. Initially hits were scored on the 'Bande Nere'. In order to prevent the Italians rounding Cape Spada, Captain Collins of the Sydney directed that fire be concentrated on Bartolomeo Colleoni. Hits were being registered on her, still at long range but eventually she succumbed to the numerous hits and lost speed. She was down in the bows and on fire and so was left by Sydney for the destroyers to finish her off.

Sydney then pursued 'Bande Nere' but could not keep apace with the faster Italian cruiser and, with her ammunition virtually expended, abandoned the chase when the enemy was no longer visible. During the action, Sydney sustained only one hit, to her forward funnel, which did not affect her performance.

The attack group of six ships returned to Alexandria around 11:00 on 20 July after fending off several air attacks, one of which damaged HMS Havock, and were met by cheering from all ships in the harbour. For his actions, Captain Collins was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath, while other officers and sailors from the Sydney received three Distinguished Service Orders, a Distinguished Service Cross (Lt-Cdr M.M.Singer), six Distinguished Service Medals, and twelve Mentions in Despatches and Sydney was awarded the battle honour 'Spada 1940'.

Sydney returned to Australia in February 1941 to wide public acclaim for her Mediterranean campaign. She was met by the Governor-General and the Minister for the Navy, the Honourable William Hughes. The Premier of NSW and the City of Sydney Lord Mayor went on board and presented a plaque to the ship to commemorate the victory over the Bartolomeo Colleoni on behalf of the citizens of Sydney. The plaque was composed of two large cast medallions mounted on oak and was affixed to the gun housing of 'Y' turret below the sighting ports. Capt Collins then led a march of the ship's company through the streets of Sydney to the Town Hall for a civic reception. Thousands lined the route and school children were given the day off school so they too could join in the celebrations.

Loss of HMAS Sydney II in the Indian Ocean with all hands on board.

On 19 November 1941 HMAS Sydney encountered a merchant ship which turned out to be the German auxiliary cruiser Kormoran in disguise. A fierce battle ensued. The Sydney was last seen by the German crew limping off into the distance. A fire on board was visible on the horizon and finally she disappeared, believed sunk with all officers and crew on board. The severely disabled Kormoran was scuttled. It was not until 2008 that the wreck of the Sydney and the Kormoran were found about 21km apart in the Indian Ocean and about 2,500 metres below sea level. On discovery, both wrecks were placed under the protection of the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976 and they were also placed on the Australian National Heritage List on 14 March 2011.

With research.

Ex W. (Bill) Woolmore Collection.