WW2 Distinguished Service Medal RN

[Schooner]

I have come across some old papers in reference to my grandfather.
b: about 1901- d:1979
Leading Seaman Arthur William Bennett was awarded the DSM in 1942.
I have an obituary newspaper cutting and it records that he was awarded the DSM for bringing a ship into port whilst being under enemy fire.
The other two documents are a letter of congratulations from the district Council dated 4th February 1942 and a used invitation to Buckingham Palace for one guest and stamped dated 3rd March 1942. It has a serial number on the right top side 2374.
All the family have now passed on and the medal could not be found.
I have tried to get information on his service records and information on the ship he was on and further info on his actions to get this medal from the internet. But to no avail.
WW2 records seem hard to come by and even checking the old papers for medal presentations did not show him, although there are many newspapers missing. Could someone please help me on how to obtain these records.

Many thanks
Schooner

[t mo]

hi schooner
you should be able to find a mention of his medal in the london gazette with luck it will have a citation as well also his service record should be available to purchase it will cost you £30 and you will need a death cert as well go to this site from there you can download the forms it will take some time to get them ,
www.veterans-uk.info/service_records/service_records.html  .
regards
trevor

[Schooner]

Thank you Tmo

There is no sign of him in the gazzett and I have been informed that it may still be a closed case. So I will be going for the last option.

Regards
Schooner

[HMac]

The London Gazette is not the easiest to search and I cannot find his name. However, there is mentioned a Leading Seaman A. W. Bennett R.N.P.S. in The Times, Thursday, Jan 01, 1942; pg. 2; Issue 49122; High Tradition Of The Navy Zeal And Devotion.

The only clue for you is that he appears to be a member of the RNPS. http://www.rnps.lowestoft.org.uk/index.htm

Hope that helps.

Regards
Hugh

[mmm45]

You could try the British Medal Forum if you google it.
Theres a vast amount of knowledge on there as to where to look.



Although awards are just listed in the London Gazette, with no citations, a complete list of all recipients has been produced by W.H. Fevyer and published by J.B. Hayward and Son in two volumes.


Hopefully someone will have this publication above?

Ady

[Schooner]

Thank you mmm45

I will give that a try.
Many thanks
Schooner

[Schooner]

Thanks Hugh
This could be the one.
Many thanks
Schooner

[Schooner]

Hugh
You were correct.
Stewart has confirmed that this is my Grandfather and that the medal was presented on 3 March 1942.
I also have the ships name as well.

Thank you to every one who responded.

Best regards
Schooner

[mmm45]

From British Medal Forum:


This is the information he needs, from Seedie, Fevyer and Colledge.

Leading Seaman Arthur William Bennet, RNPS was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in the New Year Honours of 1942 - London Gazette of 1 January 1942 - and was presented with his award at an investiture on the 3rd of March 1942.

He was serving in the trawler HMS "Damito" which had been requisitioned as a mine-sweeper in August of 1939.

It is very unlikely the original recommendation for his award survives.

The medal is know on the market, being sold by Glendinings in June 1989.

Ady