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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 642

A Second World War Mediterranean Operations D.S.C. and Bar group of eleven awarded to Lieutenant-Commander H. W. Stowell, Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve, who was 'intimately connected' with the operations of Force 133 in support of Greek resistance

Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., reverse officially dated '1942', with Second Award Bar, reverse officially dated '1944'; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Decoration, silver and silver-gilt, officially engraved '1946' to reverse; Malta George Cross Fiftieth Anniversary Medal, unnamed as issued, mounted as worn, together with a silver Voluntary Service Medal, engraved 'Lieutenant Commander H. W. Stowell. DSC* VRD. RNR.', and a silver General Service Cross, engraved 'Lieutenant Commander H. W. Stowell. DSC: VRD. RNR.', light contact marks, very fine (11)

D.S.C. London Gazette 8 September 1942. The original recommendation for service aboard Dulverton on convoy to Malta, dated 30 March 1942, states:

'This officer showed great courage and devotion to duty throughout the entire operation. As G.C.O. he controlled the fire of the main armament and remained at his post almost continuously for nearly 36 hours. After the First Lieutenant had been wounded, he took over his duties and when picking up survivors from "Southwold" took charge of operations with skill and coolness. A fine example to all under him.'

Bar to D.S.C. London Gazette 4 April 1944:

'For undaunted courage, determination and endurance in H.M. Ships in many sweeps against enemy shipping in the Aegean under fierce and constant attack from the air, and in maintaining supplies to the islands of Kos and Leros until they fell to superior enemy forces.'

The official recommendation for the award adds:

'For duty before & during the invasion of Leros. This officer displayed a high sense of duty while conducting his work as 1st Lieutenant of the base in Leros, during continuous heavy bombing. During the invasion he took command of an Italian F lighter and transported 187 prisoners to Tamos with a very small guard and subsequently continued the journey to Egypt running the gauntlet of German craft in the area.'

Hugh William Stowell was born in April 1917 at Ormskirk, Lancashire, the son of cotton merchant Hugh Venables Stowell. Attesting for the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as Probationary Midshipman, he was attached to Mersey Division from 1 May 1935. Appointed Commanding Officer of No.8 Gunnery Unit of the Mersey Division at the outbreak of the Second World War, Stowell was transferred to Chatham on 12 September 1939 for duties with the Gunnery School. Posted to Wolfhound, he was commissioned on 17 March 1940 and soon thereafter took part in operations off the French coastline, including the evacuation of British and Allied troops from Dunkirk.

Joining Dulverton as 2nd Lieutenant on 18 September 1941, Stowell proceeded to the Mediterranean Station via the Cape on 12 November 1941. Arriving at Alexandria in January 1942, he protected the Malta and Tobruk convoys, being awarded the D.S.C. for leadership. Discharged to hospital from Dulverton on 1 July 1943, he proceeded to Beirut on 3 August 1943 and later took the appointment as Staff Officer Operations to Naval Party 'Zero' at Alexandria. Transferred to Leros on 14 October 1943, he was later appointed Staff Officer (Special Operations) aboard Mosquito on 1 March 1944, being awarded a Bar to the D.S.C. four months later.

Appointed Staff Officer to F.O.L.E.M. and C.F.E. on 21 November 1944, Stowell later received the Malta George Cross Fiftieth Anniversary Medal on 13 October 1993 whilst living in Cyprus; sold with original letter from the Cabinet Office, Malta, bestowing the Medal, a rubber stamped letter from the F.C.O. dated 3 April 1992 which notes 'This is to certify that Lt Cdr H W Stowell, DSC VRD, RNR (Retd), who was on the Naval Staff as Staff Officer, Special Operations in the Eastern Mediterranean, was intimately connected with the operations of Force 133 in support of Greek resistance', and a contemporary C.V. document relating to Stowell's Second World War Service, with copied research.


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Sold for
£1,300

Starting price
£700