A FINE SECOND WAR D.S.M. AWARDED FOR GALLANTRY IN THE DESTROYER H.M.S. LIVELY DURING THE 2ND BATTLE OF THE SIRTE, 22 MARCH 1942, HAVING BEEN MENTIONED IN DESPATCHES FOR HIS PART FORCE ‘K’S DESTRUCTION OF AN ITALIAN CONVOY AND DESTROYER ON 8 NOVEMBER 1941

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL, G.VI.R. ‘KX. 86830 J. E. MARTIN. CH. STO.’ IMPRESSED NAMING, TOGETHER WITH M.I.D. OAK LEAF.

D.S.M. London Gazette 8 September 1942:

‘For gallantry, skill and seamanship in a brilliant action against strong enemy forces, which were driven off and severely damaged. This action resulted in the safe passage to Malta of an important Convoy.’

extinguishing the fire in the top of the funnel. When the ship was holed forward by a splinter from a 15-inch shell, Martin acted with great promptness in shoring up bulkheads and hatches. He was tireless in organising the necessary pumping to keep the flooding under control and his example of cheerfulness, energy and coolness was most inspiring to the men working with him. He carried out all the above in addition to his normal duties of supervising the fuel and boiler-water situation.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 24 February 1942.

‘For gallantry, skill and resolution in a brilliant night action South of Taranto, against odds, in which, without hurt or loss to the Royal Navy, ten enemy Supply Ships were wholly destroyed, one Destroyer sunk, and at least one other badly damaged’.

Joseph Edward Martin likely joined the L-class destroyer H.M.S. Lively on the eve of her tour of operations in the Mediterranean in September 1941.

http://ahoy.tk-jk.net/HMSLivelyBook/HMS_LIVELY_BOOK.htm

https://www.naval-history.net/xGM-Chrono-10DD-41L-HMS_Lively.htm

Lively first came to prominence for her part in a brilliant victory achieved by Force ‘K’ on 8 November 1941, when - assisted by ‘Ultra’ radar - the cruisers Aurora and Penelope, in company with the Lively and Lance, manoeuvred into a favourable position to engage an Italian convoy. By dawn, Force ‘K’ had sunk all seven enemy transports and one of their destroyers, the Fulmine. It was for this spectacular night action that Martin was mentioned in despatches………………

SEE PDF FOR FULL WRITE-UP

Martin survived that ordeal and received his D.S.M. at a Buckingham Palace investiture held in March 1944.

Condition NEF. Sold with copied research. Ex Spink, November 1998.