Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Second War D.S.C. group of five awarded to Lieutenant-Commander H. V. Gordon, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who was awarded the D.S.C. for services during Operation Torch and in particular the sinking of two U-Boats in 1942; he had previously been Mentioned in Despatches for his bravery during the attempt to save the crew and prevent the sinking of the torpedoed H.M.S. Cossack

Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated ‘1943’, silver, hallmarks for London 1942, in Garrard, London case of issue; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaves, with Admiralty enclosure in named card box of issue addressed to ‘Lt Cdr H. V. Gordon, 57, Maitland Court, Lancaster Terrace, London W2’, extremely fine (5) £800-£1,200

D.S.C. London Gazette 11 May 1943:
‘For sustained devotion to duty in actions against enemy submarines while serving in H.M. Ships Loftus, Poppy and Starwort.’

The original Recommendation states: ‘As first Lieutenant he has shown such keenness and devotion to duty that from the time of commissioning and throughout operation Torch the efficiency of the ship has been high, and morale of the crew excellent. As A.S.C.O. his coolness, control in attack, and excellent training of the operators has shown a merited result in the destruction of two U-Boats. I recommend him for his general good work throughout the operation and particular good work in control of asdics during submarine attacks on 12 and 13 November 1942.

Remarks of intermediate authority: Entirely concur. As first Lieutenant and A/S.C.O. he must claim a large share in the destruction of two U-boats.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 3 March 1942

The original Recommendation states: ‘The following Officers and men were among those who boarded H.M.S. Cossack at 0145 on 24 October 1941, when the ship was on fire and in imminent danger of sinking. They succeeded in putting out the fire. They subsequently boarded her at 0800 on 24 October after having been taken off at 0600, and worked incessantly until the end in an heroic endeavour to keep the ship afloat. Their efforts were beyond all praise.’

Henry Vincent Gordon was commissioned Temporary Sub Lieutenant, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, on 15 December 1939 and was promoted Temporary Lieutenant on 15 March 1940. He is noted as serving as Lieutenant aboard the Corvette H.M.S. Carnation during the attempt to prevent the sinking of the Destroyer H.M.S. Cossack, which had been torpedoed by U-563 on 23 October 1941, with Cossack suffering the loss of over 75% of her crew. Gordon was Mentioned in Despatches for his bravery during the operation to save survivors and the ship from sinking, boarding the ship twice, the first time shortly after Cossack had been torpedoed and was still on fire.

In late 1942, Gordon was serving as First Lieutenant aboard the Corvette H.M.S. Lotus, which was involved in escort duties in the Mediterranean, in support of Operation Torch, the Allied invasion of North Africa. On 12 November, in company with H.M.S. Starwort, she attacked and destroyed U-660 off Oran, and the following day was involved in the sinking of U-605, although it turned out the latter was only damaged. For his services during Operation Torch, and in particular during the U-boat attacks, Gordon was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Gordon commanded the Corvette H.M.S Anchusa from 30 Match to 20 October 1943, and was promoted Lieutenant-Commander on 1 November 1943. The next day he was appointed to the Command of the Corvette H.M.S Hadleigh Castle, serving aboard this ship until December 1943. Further War service is unknown but his obituary records that he served with the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve until 1946.

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