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

A good submariner’s D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Petty Officer G. S. Jacques, Royal Navy, H.M. Submarine Trenchant, whose tally included a U-boat and the Japanese Heavy Cruiser Ashigara

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Temp. P.O. G. S. Jacques. P/SSX.21054); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Burma Star, clasp, Pacific; War Medal, with M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue (SSX.21054, D.S.M., PO.B.22787 P.O. R.F.R.) together with tunic ribbons and related British and Mercantile Marine War Medals (George Jacques), good very fine (9) £1200-1500

D.S.M. London Gazette 23 October 1945: ‘For gallantry, skill and devotion to duty whilst serving in H.M. Submarine Trenchant in Far Eastern waters. Her operations in six patrols were carried out in the face of opposition in shallow and difficult waters. During the last of these a Japanese heavy cruiser was sunk under exceptionally hazardous conditions.’

The recommendation states: ‘Petty Officer George Sweeting Jacques. As second coxswain of H.M.S/M Trenchant Petty Officer Jacques was operating the forward hydroplanes during the attack which resulted in the sinking of the Japanese Heavy Cruiser Ashigara. The excellent depth control during the attack and firing of torpedoes was dependent to a large extent on his skilful operation of the forward hydroplanes. As loading number of the four-inch gun for four patrols during which a number of gun actions have been fought, he has shown courage, and has set an example under fire. The following actions, in which there was considerable opposition, took place:-
(I) Sinking of Japanese A/S Trawler in the Malacca Straits on 25th December, 1944.
(ii) Sinking of Japanese Submarine Chaser No. 8 in the Malacca Straits during the fifth patrol.
(iii) Sinking of Japanese Special Minesweeper No. 105 in the Java Sea on 25th May, 1945.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 2 January 1945. For the sinking of U-859, with torpedoes, off Penang in the Straits of Malacca on 23 September 1944.

H.M. Submarine Trenchant carried out a total of seven war patrols in the Far East between July 1944 and July 1945. She was commanded throughout by Commander A. R. Hezlett, who had won the D.S.C. in the Mediterranean in H.M. S/M Unique, earned mentions in Trident and Thrasher, and who added a D.S.O. and Bar to his record whilst in Trenchant, ending his career as a Vice-Admiral with a K.B.E. and C.B. Trenchant’s tally, although not very large in terms of total tonnage sunk, nevertheless included the Japanese Heavy Cruiser Ashigara, which fell victim to a full bow salvo of eight torpedoes and was the largest warship ever sunk by a British submarine. Sold with full research including copy recommendation and patrol reports.