The Second World War group of six awarded to Ordnance Artificer 1st Class C. J. Warden, Royal Navy, who won a “mention” for his constant attention to the proper functioning of Warspite’s fire at Cape Matapan in March 1941

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star; Burma Star; War medal 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (M. 38600 C. J. Warden, O.A. 1, H.M.S. Warspite), good very fine and better (6) £300-350

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Exceptional Naval and Polar Awards from the Collection of RC Witte.

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Mention in despatches London Gazette 3 February 1942:

‘For bravery and enterprise in the Battle of Cape Matapan on H.M.S. Warspite.’

The original recommendation states:

‘His constant attention to the fire control system ensured its correct functioning in action.’

In his capacity as Ordnance Artificer 1st Class, Cyril James Harden was among those heard to calmly direct the battleship’s gunfire in this famously successful clash with the Italian Navy. Aboard Warspite, as she closed the enemy, the C-in-C., Admiral “ABC” Cunningam was duly impressed:

‘I shall never forget the next few minutes. In the dead silence, a silence that could almost be felt, one heard only the voice of the gun control personnel putting the guns on to the new target. One heard the orders repeated in the director tower behind the bridge. Looking forward, one saw the turrets swing and steady when the 15-inch guns pointed at the enemy cruisers. Never in the whole of my life have I experienced a more thrilling moment than when I heard a calm voice from the director tower - “Director layer sees the target”: sure sign that the guns were ready and that his finger was itching on the tgrigger. The enemy was at a range of no more than 3,500 yards - point-blank’ (A Sailor’s Odyssey, Admiral of the Fleet Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope refers).

Shortly afterwards, the Italian cruisers Zara and Fiume had been reduced to blazing wrecks; see Dix Noonan Webb, 2 March 2005 (Lot 1007) for the D.S.M. awarded to G. C. M. Pharoah, Warspite’s Director Layer.