A Collection of Medals The Property of a Gentleman

A Second World War D.S.C. group of nine awarded to Commander V. A. C. H. G. De Mauny, Royal Navy, a Gallipoli veteran who won a “mention” for his gallantry off Dunkirk and was decorated for like services in patrol vessels in the North Sea

Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1945’, hallmarks for London 1947; 1914-15 Star (Mid. V. A. C. H. G. De Mauny, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (S. Lt. V. A. C. H. G. De Mauny, R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, clasp, France and Germany; Defence and War Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf; Coronation 1953, mounted court-style as worn, the Great War awards polished, nearly very fine, the remainder very fine and better (9) £1800-2200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, A Collection of Medals The Property of a Gentleman.

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D.S.C. London Gazette 11 December 1945:

‘For distinguished service during the War in Europe.’

Victor Alexander Christian Henry George De Mauny was born in April 1899 and entered the Royal Navy as a Midshipman aboard the battleship H.M.S. London in August 1914, which appointment led to his active employment in the Dardanelles, as per the following letter sent to his parents in May 1915:

‘I am sorry I have not written to you for such a long time but I have really not had the time. Since I wrote to you last we have had some very exciting times.

On Saturday 24 April, we left our base with 600 Australian soldiers on board in company with five other ships. At about 2.00 a.m. on Sunday we arrived off the landing place on the Western coast of the Gallipoli Peninsula. We then proceeded to land the troops in our boats. They had a pretty hot time from the Turks who were ready waiting but eventually they took the ridge with the bayonet. The Midshipman and the Coxswain of one of our boats were wounded.

At 10.00 a.m. I landed with two other Midshipmen with a beach party to assist in the landing of the remainder of the troops and the stores. There was quite a lot of shrapnel flying about from the Turks, and also bullets from the Turkish snipers, but I am glad to say I was not touched although several men on the beach were. I had in fact had several narrow escapes. I have got a Turkish shell which did not explode and fell quite near us. We remained until Wednesday forenoon when we were relieved. It was very good sport ashore except that we lived on biscuits and corned beef until the Tuesday night ... ’

Removing to the battle cruiser Renown in September 1916, De Mauny was advanced to Acting Sub. Lieutenant in May 1917 and joined the torpedo boat destroyer Midge that August, and appears to have served in similar employ until the end of hostilities. Shortly thereafter, in March 1919, he resigned his commission, in order to take up employment as a tea planter in Ceylon.

Granted the emergency rank of Lieutenant-Commander on the renewal of hostilities, De Mauny lent gallant service during the evacuation of Dunkirk and was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 16 August 1940), the relevant recommendation stating:

‘Between noon on 30 May and 0815 on 4 June, he was continuously engaged under way on evacuation duties without any intermission. Commanded in succession Ocean Breeze, Haig, and then as Navigator of a group of scoots in Pascholl. Brought back more than 300 troops from Dunkirk beach in surf conditions on two separate occasions. Was notably more successful than other small craft working in the same areas. On 31 May, when he was eight hours off the coast, subjected to air attack. Displayed great devotion to duty under fire, and marked initiative; and was favourably reported upon by the Senior Officers on more than one occasion.’

By October 1940, De Mauny was serving in the destroyer Brighton (the ex-U.S.S. Cowell), and he appears to have remained similarly employed until removing to the minesweeping sloop Saltburn in August 1941.

Transferring to the patrol vessel Mallard in March 1943, he would have been present at an action with several E-Boats off the east coast in February 1944, and, no doubt, other incidents in the North Sea, prior to removing to his final wartime appointment the destroyer Impulsive in July 1945. But it was for his services in the Mallard that he won his D.S.C.

Sold with original letter to his parents, as quoted above (H.M.S. London, 5 May 1915); H.M.S. Mallard greetings card with cartoon caricatures of her officers; two ship’s “flimsies” (H.M.S. Fervent, September 1939 to June 1940; Senior Officer, 1st Corvette Flotilla, Harwich, September 1944 to July 1945); a portrait photograph and a file of related research.