Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria. Including a superb collection of medals to the King’s German Legion, Police Medals from the Collection of John Tamplin and a small collection of medals to the Irish Guards

An Aegean operations D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Chief Petty Officer C. J. W. Beck, Royal Navy, Gunner’s Mate aboard H.M.S. Tuscan

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (P.O. C. J. W. Beck P/JX. 133282); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Defence & War Medals; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (JX. 133282 C.P.O. H.M.S. Queen Charlotte) together with Marine Society Reward of Merit, silver (19 May 1936), R.L.L.S. bronze medal (Oct. 1929), and a bronze shooting award (H.M.S. Indefatigable, .22 Rifle Team 1951) generally good very fine (10) £500-600

D.S.M. London Gazette 14 August 1945: ‘For distinguished service, efficiency and zeal whilst serving in H.M. Ships ...Tuscan... in the clearance of the Aegean and the relief of Greece during the period 1944-45.’

The immediate award recommendation, dated 25 October 1944, states: ‘Charles John William Beck, Petty Officer (Gunner’s Mate), H.M.S. Tuscan. Leadership of the highest order as Officer of the Quarters of the Forward Group, coupled with quickness and alertness resulting in clean shooting in the darkness.’

Just after midnight on the night of the 6th/7th October, 1944, H.M. Ships Termagent and Tuscan fought an action against a sizeable two-masted caique and a large trawler, opening fire with their main armament and starshell together at a range of about 5,000 yards. Fires were started quickly in both vessels, the caique sinking first, then the trawler broke up and sank. From survivors picked up two days later, it was learnt that the two vessels were German Patrol Vessel G.K.62, ex-Greek trawler, approximately 200 tons, armed with one 88mm and two 20mm guns, and a caique which was a converted one, and armed with one 88mm, one 76mm and two smaller guns. The caique carried about fifty naval officers and ratings who were apparently going to man ships in Piraeus.

Shortly after this incident, at about 0130 hrs, Tuscan reported an echo some 8 miles away, which was soon afterwards identified as a destroyer. Closing to a range of 6,400 yards Termagent and Tuscan opened fire on the enemy, who made a marked increase of speed after the fall of the first salvo and a minute later started making violent alterations of course, causing any ideas of firing torpedoes to be abandoned. Both Termagent and Tuscan were hitting her steadily, and at one time in the course of her manoeuvres the enemy appeared to make a determined attempt to ram. At this time the range came down to fixed sight and Termagent had to make a sharp turn to port to avoid collision just as the enemy decided to alter away. At about 0144 hrs, the enemy was stopped and on fire, and the sub-division continued hitting her until 0152 hrs, during which time there were a series of explosions and she was burning fiercely overall with a heavy list to port. A little later she disappeared, leaving a heavy pall of black smoke. The ship turned out to be the ex-Italian torpedo boat destroyer Gladio, which had recently broken out from the Adriatic, passing through the Corinth Canal to Piraeus. Sold with copy recommendation and action reports.