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628
A Second World War D.S.M. group of four awarded to Able Seaman R. C. Such, Royal Navy, for services aboard the
frigate H.M.S. Affleck, in which ship he witnessed the destruction of no fewer than four U-Boats, including U-392 in
March 1944 which resulted in the award of his decoration
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL, G.VI.R. (A.B. R. C. Such, P/JX.187683); 1939-45 STAR; ATLANTIC STAR; WAR MEDAL, extremely fine
(4) £1200-1400
D.S.M. London Gazette 15 August 1944: ‘Able Seaman Ralph Coyston Such (Croydon). For leadership, skill and determination in H.M.
Ships Affleck, Brecon, and Forester and H.M. Canadian Ships St Laurent, Swansea and Owen Sound in operations against U-boats.’
The official recommendation states: ‘Working in co-operation with a Catalina aircraft and other forces H.M.S. Affleck made a good
attack which probably destroyed a German submarine on 16th March 1944.
This operator has, during our previous two successes, shown a most admirable proficiency in the presence of the enemy. On this
occasion he found, classified and held a genuine contact until relieved by the H.S.D. under the very difficult circumstances usually
obtaining in the Straits of Gibraltar, with other Escort Vessels leaving their wakes in the vicinity of the enemy.’
In addition to the award of the D.S.M. to Able Seaman Such, the Commander, First Lieutenant, and two ratings from H.M.S. Affleck
were mentioned in despatches.
Sold with a contemporary news cutting with small portrait of Able Seaman Such, titled ‘He Helped “Kill” U-Boats - Croydon sailor wins
D.S.M.’ It goes on to state:
‘When Mr H. C. Such, of Burdett road, Croydon, was informed by a Croydon Times reporter that his 24-years-old son, Able Seaman
Ralph Coyston Such, had been awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for leadership, skill and determination in operations against
U-boats, he was pleasantly surprised. His son had not spoken of his work while on leave. Able Seaman Such, who was educated at
Tavistock School, Croydon, is the only son of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. Such. He joined the Royal Navy in 1940 and was posted to the
destroyer H.M.S. Janus, in which he served for three years. He has seen active service in South African waters and took part in the
evacuation of Greece and Crete.
Early this year Able Seaman Such was transferred to the frigate H.M.S. Affleck, which has taken an active part in the anti-submarine
campaign. In May this year, the frigate sank two U-boats in one night. When the frigate arrived at Belfast, the Prime Minister of
Northern Ireland, Sir Basil Brooke, was there to congratulate the crew.’
During her World War II service Affleck figured in the destruction of four U-Boats; U-91 on 25 February 1944, in company with H.M.
Ships Gore and Gould; U-358 on 1 March 1944, in company with Gore, Gould and Garlies; U-392 on 16 March 1944, in company
with the long range escort vessel Vanoc and three U.S. Catalina flying boats from VP-63; and U-1191 on 25 June 1944, in company
with H.M.S. Balfour.
629
A minesweeping trawler flotilla at work in the North Sea
A Second World War D.S.M. awarded to Engineman S. W. E. Rice, Royal Naval Patrol Service
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL, G.VI.R. (LT/KX. 116115 S. W. E. Rice, Engn., R.N.P.S.), in its case of issue, extremely fine
£600-800
D.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1942.
Samuel William Edward Rice was serving aboard H.M. Trawler Belton at the time of receiving his award, a Strath-class trawler armed
with one 3-inch gun and crewed by 18 men. Most probably operating out of Grimsby, the Belton would have been employed on
hazardous minesweeping operations off the east coast.
630
A Great War ‘Western Front’ M.M. group of four awarded to Private G. Bains, 16th Battalion Manchester Regiment
MILITARY MEDAL, G.V.R. (6828 Pte. G. Bains, 16/Manch. R.); 1914-15 STAR (6828 Pte. G. Baines, Manch. R.); BRITISH WAR
AND VICTORY MEDALS (6828 Pte. G. Bains, Manch. R.) note variation in surname, good very fine (4) £800-850
M.M. London Gazette 23 August 1916.
George Bains, a ‘Warehouse’ member of Messrs. Simpson & Godlee Ltd., enlisted on 1 September 1914 and is shown in the
Manchester Battalions Book of Honour as being a member of XI Platoon, ‘C’ Company, 16th (Service) Battalion Manchester Regiment.
Private Bains entered the France/Flanders theatre of war on 9 November 1915. Awarded the Military Medal for the 16th ‘Manchester
Pals’ attack on Montauben, 1 July 1916 - one of the first Military Medals awarded to the battalion. The War Diary for 1/2 July 1916
reports, ‘Captured two guns and 16th Manchester Regt. written on them, also names of the men who captured them and about a
hundred prisoners’. It is possible that Bains was one of the two men responsible. Later wounded and invalided to the U.K., he was then
transferred to the Welsh Regiment and posted to their 52nd (Graduated) Battalion. He was discharged from the Army on 28 October
1918 and was awarded the Silver War Badge (not with lot).
With a quantity of copied research, including m.i.c., gazette, roll and war diary extracts.
www.dnw.co.uk
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