Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria. To coincide with the OMRS Convention

A ‘Sinking of the Scharnhorst’ D.S.M. group of seven awarded to A. J. Hazell, Royal Navy, Electrical Artificer aboard H.M.S. Jamaica

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Elec.A. A. J. Hazell, D/MX.47213); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (MX.47213 E.A.2 R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (47213 E.A.1 H.M.S. Defiance) good very fine (7) £600-800

D.S.M. London Gazette 7 March 1944: Electrical Artificer Arthur John Hazell, H.M.S. Jamaica. ‘For gallantry, distinguished service and devotion to duty... in H.M. Ships... Jamaica... during the action in which the Scharnhorst was engaged and sunk.’

The original recommendation states: ‘During the action some of the control wiring cables in “A” turret fractured. Electrical Artificer Hazell carried out repairs between the guns while they were actually firing, thereby keeping the turret in action.’

The German battlecruiser Scharnhorst attempted to attack a convoy to North Russia in December 1943. She was twice driven off by the close escort force of cruisers, was engaged by H.M.S. Duke of York, acting as distant cover for the convoy, was attacked with torpedoes by the destroyers, was cut off from her base and again engaged by the Duke of York, and was finally sunk by the combined efforts of all the ships engaged.

The destruction of the Scharnhorst on 26 December 1943, was an important development for the Allies as the Home Fleet was then able to relax its vigilance in northern waters without threat to Arctic Convoys from German capital ships. Of Scharnhorst’s compliment totalling 1,970 officers and men, only 36 were rescued by the Royal Navy.