A MAGNIFICENT & RARE “1st BATTLE of NARVIK” DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS (10th April 1940) (WON DURING THE 1st VICTORIA CROSS ACTION of WW2)
With
Atlantic Star, ARCTIC STAR, Africa Star, Defence & War Medals
A “U-703” SUBMARINE TORPEDO CASUALTY KILLED IN ACTION, 20th SEPTEMBER 1942
A Superb Group of Seven.
With THREE Mentions in Despatches.
To:
Lt Michael Alastair Mitchell BRUCE. R.N.
H.M.S. HAVOCK & H.M.S. SOMALI
This is One of the Finest Royal Navy Gallantry Awards of World War Two.
To our knowledge, of just Six awarded, this is the ONLY “Narvik” (1940) DSC ever to come to market, and there’s never been a similar group offered via any of the main auction houses.
Lt M.A.M. Bruce, DSC,
“For Daring, Resource & Devotion to Duty at The First Battle of Narvik”
His award also shares the London Gazette Victoria Cross Citation
To.
Captain Bernard Warburton-Lee. (London Gazette, 7th May 1940)
The Victoria Cross Citation of Captain Bernard Warburton-Lee V.C. reads:
“For gallantry, enterprise and daring in command of the force engaged in the First Battle of Narvik, on 10th April, 1940. On being ordered to carry out an attack on Narvik, Captain Warburton-Lee learned that the enemy was holding the place in much greater force than had been thought. He signalled to the Admiralty that six German destroyers and one submarine were there, that the channel might be mined, and that he intended to attack at dawn. The Admiralty replied that he alone could judge whether to attack, and that whatever decision he made would have full support. Captain Warburton led his flotilla of five destroyers up the fjord in heavy snow-storms, arriving off Narvik just after daybreak. He took the enemy completely by surprise and made three successful attacks on warships and merchantmen in the harbour. As the flotilla withdrew, five enemy destroyers of superior gunpower were encountered and engaged. The captain was mortally wounded by a shell which hit the bridge of H.M.S. Hardy.
His last signal was "Continue to engage the enemy".
This was the first award of The Victoria Cross to be gazetted in the Second World War.
[THE MEDALS]
Distinguished Service Cross (Officially Engraved 1940)
An “Immediate” award (L.G. 7th May 1940)
1939-45 Star
Atlantic Star
Arctic Star
Africa Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939-45 “Oak Leaf Emblem”
(*Three Times Mentioned In Despatches)
1st Mention. (L.G. Date not found)
Thought to be in connection with the operations in Narvik & Norway.
2nd Mention. (L.G. 11th November 1941) HMS Havock.
“For gallantry and distinguished services in operations in Greek waters”
(During the German attack & occupation of Crete)
20th May 1941 Deployed with Fleet to support military operations in defence of Crete.
22nd Carried out interception patrols off NW coast and subject to heavy air attack.
23rd Damaged in air attack during patrol off Heraklion. 15 killed and 10 wounded
3rd Mention. (L.G. 1st December 1942) “Posthumous” HMS Somali.
“For gallantry, skill and resolution in H.M. Ships escorting an important convoy to North Russia in the face of relentless attack by enemy aircraft and submarines”
R.N. “MEDITERRANEAN FLEET” WATER POLO MEDAL.
WINNING TEAM SILVER MEDAL for 1934.
Named to: S/L M.A.M. BRUCE.
Sterling Silver Hallmarked “J” (Birmingham) 1933.
39mm (1.53in)
The Other Decorations Awarded for THE FIRST BATTLE OF NARVIK were: (35)
Distinguished Service Order (5)
Distinguished Service Cross (6) Including the Award to Lt Bruce
Distinguished Service Medal (18)
Mentioned in Despatches (5) + 1 Posthumous mention
[BIOGRAPHY] 1915-1942 (27)
Michael Alastair Mitchell Bruce was born into a very well to do old Scottish family resident in Marylebone, London in 1915. He was the grandson of the eminent London Physician, Physiologist & Pathologist, Dr John Mitchell Bruce, FRPC, CVO, of Harley Street, (1846-1929) who treated former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli during his final illness and attended him during the last days of his life in April 1881.
He was the son of a decorated WW1 Royal Navy (Submariner) officer.
His father, Captain Kenneth Mervyn Bruce, (died 1948) won an immediate DSO & two MID’s in H.M. Submarine E-13 during the Great War.
Captain Bruce had apparently broken through anti-submarine netting in the Dardanelles in order to make an important attack and was also credited with the sinking of no less than 25 enemy ships.
He was twice recommended for the Victoria Cross.
Michael’s mother was Mrs Madeline Amy Bruce.
Michael joined the the pre-war Royal Navy in 1933 at age 18. He had first served in the Mediterranean Squadron as a Sub/Lt in various ships.
He then served in HMS Havock and was decorated with the DSC for his gallant actions during the Norwegian campaign at Narvik. He also took part in the infamous actions which surrounded the unsuccessful defence of the Greek island of Crete in 1941 where HMS Havok was bombed by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of 15 crewmen. He had a very brave, exciting but tragically short career which ended in the freezing waters of the far North Atlantic while on Russian Convoy duty protecting convoy QP14. Three days after being torpedoed by U-703, his ship, HMS Somali, sank while under tow with much loss of life including his own.
[1st BATTLE OF NARVIK] “HMS HAVOCK“ 10th April 1940.
Lt Bruce’s first taste of action against the German enemy Kriegsmarine took place on 10th April 1940 when serving in HMS Havock which was part of a force of five Royal Navy destroyers under the command of Captain Bernard Warburton-Lee V.C. During a heavy snow storm the flotilla of R.N. destroyers made an early morning surprise attack on the six German destroyers & a U-boat which were in Narvik Harbour.
Captain Warburton-Lee was killed during the action when a shell struck the ship’s bridge but his attack was a total success with the severe damage & destruction of three German ships & several merchant vessels.
HMS Havok was also later famously involved in the capture & recovery of at least two important ENIGMA CODE items from German ships.
In one case they recovered three rotors from an ENIGMA MACHINE & on another occasion they retrieved a coding & daily rotor settings code book. Both were critical acquisitions which greatly assisted The Code Breakers at Bletchley Park who, being led by Alan Turing were eventually successful in cracking the German Enigma Codes.
RUSSIAN CONVOY “QP14” 20th September 1942 “HMS SOMALI”
While on Russian convoy duty guarding Arctic Convoy QP14, which was a critical attempt to return many Allied Merchant ships from the Russian port of Archangel to Loch Ewe in Scotland, HMS Somali sustained catastrophic structural damage when hit by a torpedo fired from U-703.
The ship was put in tow for four days by HMS Ashanti. However, in difficult seas the tow rope gave way and the damaged ship broke in two and quickly sank. The crews of HMS Ashanti witnessed under spotlights the terrible sight of the sailors from the Somali jumping into the icy waters. Many men froze to death on rafts or drowned.
It was at the point of his imminent rescue from the icy waters that Lt Bruce declined assistance until all his men were brought to safety from their raft.
Sadly, the raft sank before he could be saved & he was lost.
Lt Bruce’s final address listed in his probate papers was:
“Havelock House, Wickham, Hampshire”. Probate was granted to his mother, Mrs Madeline Bruce who at that time was a single lady having been divorced from Captain K.M. Bruce in 1929.
The DSC (1940) is in “mint state” condition and is still housed in its original initialled Garrad’s Case. The campaign medals, and ribbons, which include a rare “Arctic Star” are also all mint state with original lustre.
The group comes with a good file of research including CGW papers & three copy newspaper articles about Lt Bruce & his brave sacrifice in 1942.
The name of “Michael Alastair Mitchell Bruce” is commemorated with eternal honour on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
A totally unrepeatable opportunity to acquire what is without doubt a unique and outstanding assembly of what are some of WW2’s most important Royal Navy gallantry awards, won at Narvik & elsewhere by a truly exceptional man possessed of incredible fortitude and bravery.
SOLD
Atlantic Star, ARCTIC STAR, Africa Star, Defence & War Medals
A “U-703” SUBMARINE TORPEDO CASUALTY KILLED IN ACTION, 20th SEPTEMBER 1942
A Superb Group of Seven.
With THREE Mentions in Despatches.
To:
Lt Michael Alastair Mitchell BRUCE. R.N.
H.M.S. HAVOCK & H.M.S. SOMALI
This is One of the Finest Royal Navy Gallantry Awards of World War Two.
To our knowledge, of just Six awarded, this is the ONLY “Narvik” (1940) DSC ever to come to market, and there’s never been a similar group offered via any of the main auction houses.
Lt M.A.M. Bruce, DSC,
“For Daring, Resource & Devotion to Duty at The First Battle of Narvik”
His award also shares the London Gazette Victoria Cross Citation
To.
Captain Bernard Warburton-Lee. (London Gazette, 7th May 1940)
The Victoria Cross Citation of Captain Bernard Warburton-Lee V.C. reads:
“For gallantry, enterprise and daring in command of the force engaged in the First Battle of Narvik, on 10th April, 1940. On being ordered to carry out an attack on Narvik, Captain Warburton-Lee learned that the enemy was holding the place in much greater force than had been thought. He signalled to the Admiralty that six German destroyers and one submarine were there, that the channel might be mined, and that he intended to attack at dawn. The Admiralty replied that he alone could judge whether to attack, and that whatever decision he made would have full support. Captain Warburton led his flotilla of five destroyers up the fjord in heavy snow-storms, arriving off Narvik just after daybreak. He took the enemy completely by surprise and made three successful attacks on warships and merchantmen in the harbour. As the flotilla withdrew, five enemy destroyers of superior gunpower were encountered and engaged. The captain was mortally wounded by a shell which hit the bridge of H.M.S. Hardy.
His last signal was "Continue to engage the enemy".
This was the first award of The Victoria Cross to be gazetted in the Second World War.
[THE MEDALS]
Distinguished Service Cross (Officially Engraved 1940)
An “Immediate” award (L.G. 7th May 1940)
1939-45 Star
Atlantic Star
Arctic Star
Africa Star
Defence Medal
War Medal 1939-45 “Oak Leaf Emblem”
(*Three Times Mentioned In Despatches)
1st Mention. (L.G. Date not found)
Thought to be in connection with the operations in Narvik & Norway.
2nd Mention. (L.G. 11th November 1941) HMS Havock.
“For gallantry and distinguished services in operations in Greek waters”
(During the German attack & occupation of Crete)
20th May 1941 Deployed with Fleet to support military operations in defence of Crete.
22nd Carried out interception patrols off NW coast and subject to heavy air attack.
23rd Damaged in air attack during patrol off Heraklion. 15 killed and 10 wounded
3rd Mention. (L.G. 1st December 1942) “Posthumous” HMS Somali.
“For gallantry, skill and resolution in H.M. Ships escorting an important convoy to North Russia in the face of relentless attack by enemy aircraft and submarines”
R.N. “MEDITERRANEAN FLEET” WATER POLO MEDAL.
WINNING TEAM SILVER MEDAL for 1934.
Named to: S/L M.A.M. BRUCE.
Sterling Silver Hallmarked “J” (Birmingham) 1933.
39mm (1.53in)
The Other Decorations Awarded for THE FIRST BATTLE OF NARVIK were: (35)
Distinguished Service Order (5)
Distinguished Service Cross (6) Including the Award to Lt Bruce
Distinguished Service Medal (18)
Mentioned in Despatches (5) + 1 Posthumous mention
[BIOGRAPHY] 1915-1942 (27)
Michael Alastair Mitchell Bruce was born into a very well to do old Scottish family resident in Marylebone, London in 1915. He was the grandson of the eminent London Physician, Physiologist & Pathologist, Dr John Mitchell Bruce, FRPC, CVO, of Harley Street, (1846-1929) who treated former Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli during his final illness and attended him during the last days of his life in April 1881.
He was the son of a decorated WW1 Royal Navy (Submariner) officer.
His father, Captain Kenneth Mervyn Bruce, (died 1948) won an immediate DSO & two MID’s in H.M. Submarine E-13 during the Great War.
Captain Bruce had apparently broken through anti-submarine netting in the Dardanelles in order to make an important attack and was also credited with the sinking of no less than 25 enemy ships.
He was twice recommended for the Victoria Cross.
Michael’s mother was Mrs Madeline Amy Bruce.
Michael joined the the pre-war Royal Navy in 1933 at age 18. He had first served in the Mediterranean Squadron as a Sub/Lt in various ships.
He then served in HMS Havock and was decorated with the DSC for his gallant actions during the Norwegian campaign at Narvik. He also took part in the infamous actions which surrounded the unsuccessful defence of the Greek island of Crete in 1941 where HMS Havok was bombed by Luftwaffe aircraft with the loss of 15 crewmen. He had a very brave, exciting but tragically short career which ended in the freezing waters of the far North Atlantic while on Russian Convoy duty protecting convoy QP14. Three days after being torpedoed by U-703, his ship, HMS Somali, sank while under tow with much loss of life including his own.
[1st BATTLE OF NARVIK] “HMS HAVOCK“ 10th April 1940.
Lt Bruce’s first taste of action against the German enemy Kriegsmarine took place on 10th April 1940 when serving in HMS Havock which was part of a force of five Royal Navy destroyers under the command of Captain Bernard Warburton-Lee V.C. During a heavy snow storm the flotilla of R.N. destroyers made an early morning surprise attack on the six German destroyers & a U-boat which were in Narvik Harbour.
Captain Warburton-Lee was killed during the action when a shell struck the ship’s bridge but his attack was a total success with the severe damage & destruction of three German ships & several merchant vessels.
HMS Havok was also later famously involved in the capture & recovery of at least two important ENIGMA CODE items from German ships.
In one case they recovered three rotors from an ENIGMA MACHINE & on another occasion they retrieved a coding & daily rotor settings code book. Both were critical acquisitions which greatly assisted The Code Breakers at Bletchley Park who, being led by Alan Turing were eventually successful in cracking the German Enigma Codes.
RUSSIAN CONVOY “QP14” 20th September 1942 “HMS SOMALI”
While on Russian convoy duty guarding Arctic Convoy QP14, which was a critical attempt to return many Allied Merchant ships from the Russian port of Archangel to Loch Ewe in Scotland, HMS Somali sustained catastrophic structural damage when hit by a torpedo fired from U-703.
The ship was put in tow for four days by HMS Ashanti. However, in difficult seas the tow rope gave way and the damaged ship broke in two and quickly sank. The crews of HMS Ashanti witnessed under spotlights the terrible sight of the sailors from the Somali jumping into the icy waters. Many men froze to death on rafts or drowned.
It was at the point of his imminent rescue from the icy waters that Lt Bruce declined assistance until all his men were brought to safety from their raft.
Sadly, the raft sank before he could be saved & he was lost.
Lt Bruce’s final address listed in his probate papers was:
“Havelock House, Wickham, Hampshire”. Probate was granted to his mother, Mrs Madeline Bruce who at that time was a single lady having been divorced from Captain K.M. Bruce in 1929.
The DSC (1940) is in “mint state” condition and is still housed in its original initialled Garrad’s Case. The campaign medals, and ribbons, which include a rare “Arctic Star” are also all mint state with original lustre.
The group comes with a good file of research including CGW papers & three copy newspaper articles about Lt Bruce & his brave sacrifice in 1942.
The name of “Michael Alastair Mitchell Bruce” is commemorated with eternal honour on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.
A totally unrepeatable opportunity to acquire what is without doubt a unique and outstanding assembly of what are some of WW2’s most important Royal Navy gallantry awards, won at Narvik & elsewhere by a truly exceptional man possessed of incredible fortitude and bravery.
SOLD