The James Fox Collection of Naval Awards

A Second World War Submariner’s D.S.C. group of nine awarded to Senior Commissioned Engineer A. G. W. Stokes, Royal Navy, for services as Warrant Engineer in H.M. Submarine Shakespeare during Mediterranean patrols, including two Special Operations and the sinking of the Italian Submarine Velella in the Gulf of Salerno on 7 September 1943

Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated 1943 and hallmarked London 1943; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Burma Star, clasp, Pacific; Italy Star; War Medal; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., coinage head (M.35095 A. G. W. Stokes. E.R.A. 1 H.M.S. Titania.); Coronation 1953, mounted as worn, very fine and better (9) £1,600-£2,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The James Fox Collection of Naval Awards.

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D.S.C. London Gazette 23 November 1943:
‘For bravery and skill in successful patrols in one of H.M. Submarines.’

Seedie’s Submarine List states: ‘Mediterranean Patrols and two Special Operations. Sank the Italian Submarine Velella in the Gulf of Salerno on 7 September 1943.’

Commanded by Lieutenant M. F. R. Ainslie, who won a D.S.O. for the same operational period [the same gazette carried further awards of 2 D.S.Cs, 1 bar to D.S.M., three D.S.Ms and five mentions]. Shakespeare did indeed enjoy a busy and successful commission as part of the 8th Submarine Flotilla in the Mediterranean, one of her more notable achievements being her victorious “Sub-on-Sub” encounter with the Italian Velella in the Gulf of Salerno on 7 September 1943 - Ainslie fired a salvo of six torpedoes, four of which found their mark with spectacular results (‘there was not much left of the enemy submarine’). It was in this same patrol that the Shakespeare carried out one of her ‘special operations’, namely the delivery of a C.O.P.P. party, including three S.B.S. men, for beach reconnaissance work, the type of clandestine activity that often befell a submarine’s lot in the Mediterranean at this time - namely the Allied landings in Sicily and Italy. So, too, the risk of attack from prowling aircraft - including the Allied variety - one such incident being described by Ainslie in his war patrol report for June 1943:

‘The Officer of the Watch reported an aircraft attacking from the starboard beam. Almost as soon as sighted the aircraft delivered its attack - a type not previously experienced. The whole thing was over in a few seconds, the sequence of events being as follows: firstly, a sheet of sparks and flame from the aircraft, secondly, a deafening roar and thirdly, several projectiles hitting the water some 20 to 30 feet short of the submarine just before the conning tower. There was no explosion but personnel inside the submarine stated afterwards that they were quite convinced at the time that we had been hit by a torpedo or bomb, the noise was so great, and the submarine jumped to such an extent.’

Arthur George William Stokes served in the engineering branch of the Royal Navy and received his L.S. & G.C. medal as an Engine Room Artificer 1st Class whilst serving in the Submarine Depot Ship Titania. He was appointed Warrant Engineer in July 1938 and served in H.M. Submarine Shakespeare from 3 November 1941 until 11 September 1944, during which period he took part in 13 war patrols under Lieutenant Ainslie, and a final patrol under her new skipper Lieutenant D. Swanston, 17-27 August 1944. With Shakespeare about to depart for the Far East where she had further adventures, Stokes transferred on 11 September 1944, to H.M. Submarine Spearhead to oversee her commissioning and launch on 2 October 1944. His final wartime appointment was to H.M.S. Kestrel on 7 December 1944. He was promoted to acting Commissioned Engineer in June 1945 and to Senior Commissioned Engineer in April 1947. He was still serving in May 1953 and died on 2 February 1975.