Beschreibung:

Exceptional Naval and Polar Awards from the Collection of RC Witte Family group: The outstanding Second World War withdrawal from Greece D.S.O., inter-war M.V.O., Great War “sub-on-sub” D.S.C. and battle of Crete Second Award Bar group of thirteen awarded to Commander K. Michell, Royal Navy - he was also twice honoured by the Italians for his services in submarines operating out of Venice in 1916, won a “mention” for North Russia 1919, and was awarded the Royal Humane Society’s Medal between the Wars Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., 1st issue, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse of the suspension bar officially dated ‘1941’; The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., Member’s 4th Class breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse officially numbered ‘1211’; Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, hallmarks for London 1916, the reverse of the Cross engraved ‘Lieut. K. Michell, R.N., 21.4.17’ and the reverse of the Bar officially dated ‘1942’; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. K. Michell, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Lieut. K. Michell, R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Italy, Order of St. Michael and St. Lazarus, Knight’s breast badge, in gold and enamel; Italy, Al Valore Militare, silver, unnamed; Royal Humane Society’s Medal (successful), bronze (Lieut. Commander Kenneth Michell, R.N., 18th Nov. 1926), complete with riband buckle for wearing, mounted as worn (excepting the last), the Italian Order with replacement suspension ring and severe enamel damage, otherwise very fine and better A civil O.B.E., Second World War D.S.C. group of six attributed to Lieutenant-Commander R. B. Michell, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his gallantry in the destroyer Maori during the Bismarck action The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s breast badge, silver-gilt, in its Royal Mint case of issue; Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., hallmarks for London 1941, the reverse officially dated ‘1941’; Naval General Service 1916-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939, naming erased; War Medal 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted as worn, lacquered, good very fine (19) £16000-18000 Footnote D.S.O. London Gazette 17 June 1941: ‘For distinguished services during the withdrawal from the beaches of Greece under fire and in the face of many great difficulties of many thousands of troops of the Allied Armies.’ M.V.O. London Gazette 25 August 1925. D.S.C. London Gazette 16 November 1917: ‘For services in action with enemy submarines.’ The original recommendation states: ‘Great credit is due to Lieutenant Michell for the promptitude and good judgement with which he acted on 19 April 1917, when he rammed and sank a German submarine.’ Bar to D.S.C. London Gazette 8 January 1942: ‘For outstanding gallantry, fortitude and resolution during the battle of Crete.’ The original recommendation states: ‘In addition to his duties as Senior Sea Transport Officer (S.S.T.O.) and in charge of all caiques, Commander Michell showed a complete disregard of personal danger and took immediate action to put out fires, board damaged ships and organise fire and salvage parties. Commander Michell was an example to every officer at Suda Bay.’ Kenneth Michell, who was born in Steyning, Sussex in March 1887, entered the R.N.C. Britannia as a cadet in September 1902 and was advanced to Sub. Lieutenant in March 1907. Pioneer submariner In January 1909, Michell joined the fledgling submarine service and, on qualifying, was appointed to the C. 37, in which he served as No. 1 during a record voyage to Hong Kong in February-April 1911 - a remarkable feat retold in Keble Chatterton’s Amazing Adventure, from which the following extract has been taken: ‘During this memorable voyage every one felt most trying the cramped space, lack of exercise, and being battened down for hour after hour with little air and excessive heat. On a number of occasions it became necessary to stop cooking, and in fi