Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry 100


A Second War 1942 ‘Malta Convoy’ D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Petty Officer T. C. Wheatcroft, Royal Navy, who served with H.M.S. Penelope - a.k.a. “H.M.S. Pepperpot” on account of severe damage received, and was decorated for gallantry on Malta Convoys, March - April 1942, including Operation “M.G. 1”, and the subsequent ‘fourteen-day ordeal-by-bomb which was probably the most intensive air attack ever mounted on any ship in the War’


Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (ALS Thomas Charles Wheatcroft P/JX141678); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Naval General Service 1915-62, 2 clasps, Minesweeping 1945-51, Near East (JX141678 T C Wheatcroft PO RN) the style of naming on the first and last indicates that they are probably later issues, mounted as worn, generally very fine (7)


£700-£900 D.S.M. London Gazette 6 October 1942:


‘For bravery, endurance and sustained devotion to duty in H.M. Ships Aurora, Avon Vale, Lance, Legion, Kingston and Penelope, and at Malta, during and after the passage of an important convoy.’


Thomas Charles Wheatcroft served as a Leading Seaman with H.M.S. Penelope (cruiser) during the Second War. He served with her in the Mediterranean, when the Penelope, commanded by Captain A. D. Nicholl, D.S.O., R.N., and her consort the cruiser H.M.S. Aurora, commanded by Captain W. “Big Bill” Agnew, C.B., R.N., and their destroyer escorts, formed part of Force ‘K’ based out of Malta. Wheatcroft was award the D.S.M. for gallantry during Malta Convoys, March - April 1942.


Operation “M.G. 1”


After taking part in two convoys in early March 1942, the Penelope participated in Malta convoy Operation “M.G. 1” on the 23rd, when she was present in the ‘brilliant action’ fought against the Italian Fleet, which endeavoured to intercept the convoy off Sirte - Penelope fired 13 broadsides and damaged an enemy cruiser on the same occasion. Penelope’s also took in tow the damaged Breconshire, the type of gallant work that prompted Churchill to signal Admiral Sir Andrew “ABC” Cunningham, Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet:


‘I shall be glad if you will convey to Admiral Vian and all who sailed with him the admiration which I feel at this resolute and brilliant action by which the Malta convoy was saved. That one of the most powerful modern battleships afloat attended by two heavy and four light cruisers and a flotilla of destroyers should have been routed and put to flight with severe torpedo and gunfire injury, in broad daylight, by a force of five British light cruisers and destroyers, constitutes a naval episode of the highest distinction and entitles all ranks and ratings concerned and above all their commander to the compliments of the British nation.’


H.M.S. Pepperpot - ‘The most intensive air attack made on any ship in the War’


Remaining at Malta for repairs, the Penelope’s crew stayed aboard to fight her guns against relentless attack from enemy aircraft - a period that witnessed her firing 6,500 rounds of 4-inch ammunition and winning the sobriquet “H.M.S. Pepperpot”. Gordon Holman’s The King’s Cruisers, takes up the story:


‘Before leaving Malta, H.M.S. Penelope went through a fourteen-day ordeal-by-bomb which was probably the most intensive air attack ever mounted on any ship in the War. Caught in dock, she became the central target for the waves of enemy aircraft. While the work of repairing the cruiser went on by day and night, the crew, including stewards and cooks, kept the guns going. So constantly were they engaged that it became a question of whether the weapons would not wear out before she was fit to put to sea. The repair work was a case of two steps forward and one step back, as each raid added further damage to that already taken in hand.


Only the hours of darkness brought relief to the Penelope. Time and time again bombs were so close to the ship that splinters sprayed over her. It is on record that in the month of April 1942, the enemy, in his raids on Malta - and Grand Harbour was the bull’e eye of his target - dropped 6,730 tons of bombs. The Penelope soon became known throughout the Fleet as “The Pepperpot”, because of the 2,000 splinter holes in her upper-works ... ’


Petty Officer Wheatcroft was invested with his D.S.M. at Buckingham Palace, 16 November 1943. Another group of medals is known to this recipient.


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