The very rare 'Great War 1917' D.S.M. and 'Second Battle of Sirte 1942' Second Award Bar...

The very rare ‘Great War 1917’ D.S.M. and ‘Second Battle of Sirte 1942’ Second Award Bar group of ten awarded to Petty Officer Fred Smith, Royal Navy Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (J.28911 F. Smith. A.B. H.M.S. Laburnam 1917) with Second Award Bar; 1914-15 Star (J.28911 F. Smith, Ord. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.28911 F. Smith. A.B. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Africa Star, 1 clasp North Africa 1942-43; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue with fixed suspension (J.28911 F. Smith. L.S. H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth) mounted as worn, the first four considerably polished and worn, therefore fine, otherwise about very fine or better (10) £3,000-£4,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- D.S.M. London Gazette 6 April 1918: ‘For services in vessels of the Royal Navy employed on patrol and escort duty during the period 1st January to 31st December 1917.’ D.S.M. Second Award Bar London Gazette 8 September 1942: ‘For gallantry, skill and seamanship in H.M. Ships ...Dulverton... 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.’ Awarded for Admiral Vian’s brilliant victory over Italian naval forces on 22 March 1942, in what came to be known as the Second Battle of Sirte. One of only three instances of a man winning a Bar in the Second World War to the D.S.M. from the Great War. One other man was gazetted with a second D.S.M. by mistake instead of a bar, thus making only four such double awards embracing both wars. Fred Smith was born at Yeovil, Somerset, on 28 October 1897, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 8 December 1913, an errand boy by trade. He was advanced to Ordinary Seaman in July 1915 and to Able Seaman in October 1916, joining H.M.S. Laburnam on the Irish station at Queenstown and remained in this ship until October 1918. He received his L.S. & G.C. medal in February 1931 whilst serving in H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth which he had joined in February 1929. He was appointed acting Petty Officer in November 1932 and confirmed as Petty Officer (Pensioner) in November 1933. Demobilised in October 1938, he was recalled in December 1939 and served aboard the escort destroyer Pytchley from October 1940 until damaged by a mine in June 1941. He joined the escort destroyer Dulverton in September 1941 and thereafter took part in escorting convoys to Freetown and Durban before moving to the Mediterranean in early 1942 where he took part in convoys to Malta and the Second Battle of Sirte. He was advanced to Chief Petty Officer (Temporary) in October 1943, and released from the service on 11 September 1945. Sold with copied record of service and other research.