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Auction: 26003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 238

(x) The D.S.O., D.S.C. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant-Commander P. A. R. Withers, Royal Navy, a veteran of the Battle of Narvik, who notably commanded the destroyer Avon Vale during the Malta Convoys, who latterly shared in the Arctic Convoys whilst in command of the Larne

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated '1942'; Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse hallmarked and officially dated '1941'; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted as worn and housed in a fitted case by Gieves Ltd, London, good very fine (7)

D.S.O. London Gazette 8 September 1942 (Malta Convoy 22 March 1942:

'For gallantry, skill and seamanship in H.M. Avon Vale, in a brilliant action against strong enemy forces, which were driven off and severely damaged. This action resulted in the safe passage to Malta of an important convoy.'

D.S.C. London Gazette 25 November 1941 (Ops Style & Substance - Malta Convoys)

M.I.D. London Gazette 1 June 1943 (Torpedo Damage Mediterranean - 29 January 1943).

Peter Alison Ross Withers was born on 30 January 1908 at Woodbridge, Suffolk, went to Cheltenham College and joined the Royal Navy in November 1925. At the outbreak of the Second World War he was a Lieutenant-Commander in the Hotspur and shared in her famous acts during the Battle of Narvik in 1940.

Withers assumed command of the destroyer Avon Vale in January 1941 and would go on to command her through August 1943. In this period she was based out of Malta and shared in the vital convoys to that besieged island. This included in January 1943, escorting Convoy T.E.14 she was hit by a torpedo during an air attack which destroyed the whole of the bow structure when the forward magazine exploded. The aft section was towed back to Gibraltar until she was able to be towed back to the United Kingdom on 25 June as part of convoy. Also as part of MW10, when on 22 March 1943 the convoy was attacked nearly thirty times by in excess of 150 enemy aircraft.

Withers then took command of Marne in August 1943, went up to Buckingham Palace to take both his decorations from the hands of The King in October 1944, besides making several forays to Russia in assisting the Arctic Convoys (Arctic Star). Retired in October 1948, he died at Hinton St George, Somerset in January 1989; sold together with various original letters (including his personal account of the Narvik battles), photographs and newspaper cuttings from his albums.

For his miniature dress medals, please see Lot 393.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Estimate
£1,800 to £2,200

Starting price
£1400