Beschreibung:

An impressive Second World War cruiser night action D.S.M., B.E.M. long service group of eleven awarded to Chief Petty Officer W. A. Tomkins, Royal Navy, who was decorated for services in H.M.S. Penelope during the destruction of an enemy convoy off Cape Spartivento in November 1941 - such was the damage inflicted on the Penelope during her subsequent sojourn at Malta that she became known as “H.M.S. Pepperpot” Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (J. 34037 W. A. Tomkins, C.P.O., H.M.S. Penelope); British Empire Medal, (Military) G.VI.R., 1st issue (C.P.O. Walter A. Tomkins, P./J. 34037); 1914-15 Star (J. 34037 Boy 1, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J. 34037 A.B., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Defence and War Medals; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (J. 34037 P.O., H.M.S. Victory), mounted as worn, the Great War trio and L.S. & G.C. polished, thus fine or better, the remainder very fine and better (11) £1800-2200 Footnote D.S.M. London Gazette 24 February 1942: ‘For gallantry, skill and resolution in a brilliant night action south of Taranto, against odds, in which, without hurt or loss to the Royal Navy, ten enemy supply ships were wholly destroyed, one destroyer sunk, and at least one other badly damaged.’ B.E.M. London Gazette 1 January 1945. The original recommendation states: ‘Chief Petty Officer Tomkins was drafted to Gosling to recuperate, suffering from shell shock after being blown up at sea. His speech was seriously affected but this he overcame by perserverance and will power. He was given light instructional duties and after a few months he was able to take over full new entry instruction. His instructional abilities are outstanding and his whole time, both during and outside working hours, is devoted to his class. His zealous manner, appearance and devotion to duty have set a fine example to the new entries. In this way he has given valuable service to the Royal Navy in starting these young men off on a service life in the right spirit and outlook. Chief Petty Officer Tomkins has been selected to take charge of all special classes.’ Walter Alexander Tomkins was born at Frimley, Surrey in June 1898 and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in January 1915. Joining the ship’s company of the cruiser H.M.S. Africa in May of the same year, he remained actively employed aboard the same ship until the end of hostilities, by which date he had been advanced to Able Seaman. During that period the Africa served in the Mediterranean and in the 9th Cruiser Squadron off West Africa. Remaining a “regular” between the Wars, he was advanced to Petty Officer in April 1928 and was awarded his L.S. & G.C. Medal in June 1931. But it was for his subsequent services as a Chief Petty Officer in the cruiser Penelope, a component of “Force K”, that he was awarded his D.S.M., following a brillant night action fought off Cape Spartivento on 8-9 November 1941. Whether he was similarly employed when she participated in the Norwegian operations of 1940 remains unknown, but it is almost certain he served aboard her for the duration of her Mediterranean commission, beyond even her withdrawal for repairs at Malta in March 1942, her crew having to remain aboard to fight her guns against relentless attack from enemy aircraft - a period that witnessed her firing 6500 rounds of 4-inch ammunition and winning the sobriquet “H.M.S. Pepperpot”. On the night of 8-9 November 1941, “Force K” comprised Penelope, commanded by Captain A. D. Nicholl, R.N., shortly to be a D.S.O., her consort Aurora, commanded by Captain W. “Big Bill” Agnew, R.N., shortly to be a C.B., and the destroyers Lance and Lively. The enemy convoy was sighted at 0050 hours, and Penelope’s guns went into action a few minutes later, quickly putting out of action the Italian destroyer Grecale and sinking another. With such important nearby escort ships out of the frame, the Penelope and Aurora proceeded to lay waste the remainder of the en