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Auction: 25002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 163

A Second World War 'capture of Elba' D.S.M. group of five awarded to Able Seaman M. D. Slyfield, Royal Navy, a member of Naval Party 893, which included many of the Royal Navy Commandos who spearheaded the assault force during "Operation Brassard", the Elba landings in June 1944

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (A.B. M. D. Slyfield. P/JX. 325864.); 1939-45 Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; War Medal 1939-45, the D.S.M. in box of issue mounted on original investiture pin, the Stars and War Medal in wax packets with enclosure slip in box of issue addressed to 'Mr M.D. Slyfield, Horsham, Sussex' but redirected to Royal Hotel Scalloway, Shetlands, extremely fine (5)

D.S.M. London Gazette 7 November 1944, the original citation states:

'For distinguished services in operations carried out in the face of determined opposition from the enemy which led to the capture of the island of Elba.'

The original recommendation adds:

'Able Seaman Slyfield showed coolness, resource and determination in assisting Sub. Lieutenant Lock, R.I.N.V.R. in their joint efforts to rescue wounded during the forenoon of D day (17 June 1944) of the landings in Elba.'

Capt. Taprell Dorling in his book Western Mediterranean, 1942-1945 expands on the rescue by Lock and Slyfield, stating:

'One-man, Able Seaman Ball, who was lying unconscious, was left behind as dead. He was later rescued by Sub Lieut. D. Lock. RINVR and AB. M. Slyfield, one of the RN beach commandos. Including the two boat crews, seven officers and thirty-nine ratings took part in the operation. Of these four officers and thirty-one ratings were killed with eighteen ratings wounded.'

Malcolm David Slyfield was born on 9 June 1923 at Horsham, Sussex, the son of Archibald Slyfield. He was educated at Collyer's school in Horsham and afterwards at Kingswood school in Bath. Enlisting in the Royal Navy he was serving as a member of Naval Party 893 at the time of the Elba landings on 17 June 1944.

The main assault on Elba in June 1944 was carried out by French troops, with the support of R.N. Commandos, and assorted ships and landing craft manned by the R.N. and U.S.N. - among the latter a P.T. Boat commanded by the film star Douglas Fairbanks Jnr., who was awarded the French Croix de Guerre. In a classic naval 'cutting out' operation two LCAs from the Royal Scotsman, each with 27 officers and men of the R.N. Beach Commandos, were tasked with capturing a heavily armed F-lighter strategically placed by the Mole. This they succeeded in doing but when heavy guns shelled the position they exploded pre-positioned demolition charges which lifted the ship, leaving it at 90 degrees to the jetty with its bows resting on it. The force of the explosion had been so great that virtually all those in the immediate area of the F-lighter had been killed. With the F-lighter on fire and ammunition exploding there was an urgent need to take the survivors off the jetty.

In terms of the D-Day landings in Normandy, which had taken place 10 days earlier, the operation may well have been classed as a 'little sideshow', but in terms of enemy opposition and resultant gallantry it was anything but little - in fact "Operation Brassard" proved to be an extremely costly enterprise, the R.N. Commandos alone suffering losses of 38 killed.

The West Sussex Gazette & South of England Advertiser reported on Slyfield's return to Elba to marry his sweetheart on 12 December 1957 stating, 'Mr Slyfield was serving with the Navy commandos and after the landings in Elba made a recording of his experiences which was broadcast to America.'

According to the West Sussex County Times of 13 December 1957 'Malcom David Slyfield made a return to Elba on Saturday to marry Franca Mibelli, a member of a well-known island family. He was then a Naval commando serving a tank landing craft. His unopposed landing to wed his local bride followed numerous visits to Elba during the intervening years. Mr Slyfield won his D.S.M. at the age of 21. His father was for 28 years clerk to Horsham Urban Council.'

Slyfield died at Horsham on 6 May 1992; sold together with copied research.

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Estimate
£1,000 to £1,500

Starting price
£800