Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Scharnhorst action D.S.M. group of nine awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer F. F. C. Nelmes, Royal Navy, who had earlier won a ‘mention’ for his part in the Battle of Barents Sea

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (C.E.R.A. F. F. C. Nelmes, D./M. 6281); British War and Victory Medals (M. 6281 Act. E.R.A. 4, R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf; Coronation 1937; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (M. 6281 E.R.A. 1, H.M.S. Rodney) the Great War period awards with contact markis and polished, about very fine, the remainder good very fine or better (9) £1000-1200

D.S.M. London Gazette 7 March 1944. The recommendation states:

‘This rating was in the after engine room during the action. When No. 3 dynamo was damaged by shock Nelmes carried out all possible repairs in a quick and efficient manner and set an example of steadiness and keenness to the junior ratings.’

Mention in despatches London Gazette 23 February 1943. The recommendation states:

‘He carried out his duty as Chief Engineer Room Artificer of the after engine room with calmness and courage when in action with the enemy.’

Francis Frederick Claude Nelmes was mentioned in despatches for bravery aboard H.M.S. Jamaica during the passage of North Russian convoy JW. 51B in December 1942. In what became known as the Battle of Barents Sea, a gallant and bloody engagement in which Captain R. St. V. Sherbrooke, D.S.C., of the escorting destroyer Onslow, won the V.C., the heavy cruiser Admiral Hipper and the pocket battleship Lutzow famously withdrew when Vice-Admiral Burnett turned up on the scene with the cruisers Sheffield and Jamaica:

‘ ... At this time the enemy’s course and speed was estimated to be 280 degrees, 30 knots, and half a minute later H.M.S. Sheffield opened fire, followed closely by H.M.S. Jamaica, at 16,000 yards range. There was no difficulty in distinguishing between the fall of shot of the two ships ... several hits were seen almost immediately ... The enemy appeared to be taken unawares and did not open fire until after H.M.S. Sheffield’s fourth salvo. She appeared to be firing at H.M.S. Jamaica, her fire was very accurate but, unlike ours, was ineffective ...’

It was for like services in the after engine room of the Jamaica that Nelmes won his D.S.M., on that occasion during the action that led to the destruction of the Scharnhorst:

‘The grim finale came when the Commander-in-Chief ordered the Belfast, Jamaica and four destroyers to deliver the coup de grace with torpedoes. The Scharnhorst sank close to where she had hoped to see the merchant ships of the convoy settle down - and of her complement of over 1500 men, only 367 survivors were picked up.’

Nelmes was invested with his D.S.M. on 14 November 1944.