THE OUTSTANDING SECOND WAR ‘BATTLE OF THE BARENTS SEA’ V.C. ACTION DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS AND SECOND AWARD BAR GROUP AWARDED TO A ROYAL NAVY LT COMMANDER FOR HIS SERVICE ABOARD THE DESTROYER H.M.S. ONSLOW WHEN SHE ATTACKED THE VASTLY SUPERIOR GERMAN HEAVY CRUISER ADMIRAL HIPPER IN DEFENCE OF CONVOY J.W.51B, DECEMBER 1942. SUFFERING SEVERE DAMAGE, HER CAPTAIN; SHERBROOKE, WAS AWARDED THE VICTORIA CROSS. HIS BAR FOR SERVICES ABOARD H.M.S. CARLISLE WHEN SHE WAS ATTACKED BY GERMAN STUKA’S IN THE AEGEAN IN OCTOBER 1943. SO BAD WAS THE DAMAGE TO CARLISE THAT AFTER BEING TOWED INTO PORT, SHE WAS WRITTEN OFF

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS, G.VI.R., REVERSE OFFICIALLY DATED ‘1943’, HALLMARKED LONDON 1942, WITH SECOND AWARD BAR, THE REVERSE DATED 1944, 1939-45 STAR, ATLANTIC STAR, AFRICA STAR, CLASP NORTH AFRICA 1942-43, ITALY STAR, DEFENCE AND WAR MEDAL 1939-45. MEDALS COURT MOUNTED FOR WEAR, ORIGINAL RETAINING WORN RIBBONS. WITH MATCHING SET OF MINIATURE MEDALS, BUCKINGHAM PALACE ENCLOSURE, EMBOSSED ADMIRALTY CONGRATULATORY LETTER, DATED 8 APRIL 1943. TOGETHER WITH THREE SILVER HALLMARKED GIFTS FROM VARIOUS SHIPS HE SERVED WITH PRE WAR, PHOTOGRAPH OF DAMAGE TO H.M.S. ONSLOW AFTER THE BATTLE, ORIGINAL OBITUARY NEWSPAPER CUTTINGS, COPY OF ’73 NORTH’.

D.S.C. London Gazette 23 March 1943. “For distinguished, services against the Enemy. Commander (E) Harold Bernard Samways, Royal Navy.” The recommendation from an Admiralty congratulatory letter:

“For outstanding skill and sound judgement as Engineer Officer in H.M.S. Onslow in the gallant and successful defence of a convoy which was attacked by a greatly superior enemy force in Northern Water in December 1942”.

Samways was awarded one of six D.S.C.’s to H.M.S. Onslow for the battle of the Barents Sea, 31 December 1942. Captain Sherbrooke was awarded the V.C., eight D.S.M’s and seven M.I.D.’s were also awarded to the crew of Onslow.

Bar to D.S.C. London Gazette 4 April 1944.

“For undaunted courage, determination and endurance in H.M. Ships Sinus, Penelope, Carlisle, Aurora, Belvoir, Hurworth, Echo, Faulknor, Pathfinder, Penn, Fury, Beaufort, Jervis, Hursley, Intrepid, Petard, Eclipse, Rockwood, Dulverton, Croome, Aldenham, Blencathra, the Polish Ship Krakowiak, the Greek Ship Adrias and in Light Coastal Forces in many sweeps against enemy shipping in the Aegean under fierce and constant attack from the air, and in maintaining supplies to the islands of Kos and Leros until they fell to superior enemy forces.”

Commander Harold Bernard Samways, a long serving Royal Navy Engineer Officer was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his services as Engineer Officer of the O-Class Destroyer, H.M.S. Onslow during the battle of the Barents Sea, 31 December 1942. Whilst engaging with the German heavy Cruiser Admiral Hipper, a greatly superior ship, Onslow was hit by three shells from Hipper and near missed by a fourth. Onslow was badly damaged; two guns were put out of action and a serious fire started, while 17 members of Onslow's crew were killed, and 23 wounded, including Captain Sherbrooke. As Engineer Officer, Commander Samways would have had the vital task of trying to keep Onslow afloat and in working order, despite the damage sustained. In addition to Samways award, for his gallantry, Captain Sherbrooke was awarded the Victoria Cross. His citation……………………..

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Condition NEF, medals mounted as originally worn by the recipient. A small amount of research, including two notes relating to the group from Samways daughter in 2005.

A really outstanding and rare award group.