A rare Second World War naval frogman’s B.E.M. group of six awarded to Petty Officer M. H. James, Royal Navy, who was decorated for clearing a brace of limpet mines from under a merchantman one night in October 1943 - ‘these mines depend on a combination of a propeller and a clock for their firing mechanism so that the possibility of them detonating at any time is a known fact’

British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (P.O. Mons H. James, P/X. 21458A. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, good very fine (6) £800-1000

B.E.M. London Gazette 14 March 1944:

‘For gallantry and devotion to duty.’


The original recommendation states:

‘The S.S. Sicilian Prince arrived in Haifa from Mersin at dusk on 7 October 1943, and the routine search of her bottom for mines was put in hand. Acting Petty Officer James with D.S.E.A. apparatus commenced his search in the dark.

One mine was located and safely removed from the Starboard Bilge Keel. On renewing the search another mine was discovered and also removed by Petty Officer James.

These mines depend on a combination of a propeller and a clock for their firing mechanism so that the possibility of them detonating at any time is a known fact.

Petty Officer James carried out this highly important operation with great thoroughness, courage and perseverance, especially in view of the fact that owing to darkness the operation took considerably longer and was correspondingly more exhausting.

Up to date a total of 14 ships have been examined in this manner by Petty Officer James, who has proved his great reliance in this work.’


Mons Harold James was born at Shepton Mallett, Somerset in May 1920 and originally entered the Royal Naval Reserve as a Seaman direct from foreign service in the Merchant Navy in December 1939.

Qualifying as a Diver at H.M.S. Nimrod, the anti-submarine and experimental base at Campbeltown, Scotland in November-December 1940 - in which period the base suffered several fatalities as a result of a Luftwaffe raid - he joined the destroyer Whitshed in the latter month, and remained similarly employed on convoy escort work until January 1942. Having then served briefly at another anti-submarine base, Opsrey at Portland, in addition to Orlando at Greenock, he joined the minesweeper Hebe in June 1942, aboard which ship he gained advancement to Acting Temporary Petty Officer.

But it was for his subsequent work as a Diver, while borne on the books of the Haifa base Moreta, that he won his B.E.M., work not dissimilar to that being undertaken by L. K. P. “Buster” Crabb, O.B.E., G.M.; the vendor states that at one time James reputedly served alongside the legendary naval frogman. Be that as it may, James remained actively employed as a Diver at Haifa until the War’s end and finally came ashore in July 1950.

Sold with the recipient’s original R.N. Certificate of Service and a copied photograph of him wearing his D.S.E.A. apparatus.