A SECOND WAR JULY 1940 ‘ANTI-AIRCRAFT’ D.S.M. GROUP AWARDED TO SEAMAN WHO WAS DECORATED FOR SHOOTING DOWN A GERMAN AIRCRAFT WHEN H.M.T. RINOVIA WAS ATTACKED IN THE WESTERN CHANNEL IN JULY 1940

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL, G.VI.R. ‘JX. 197294 F. R. BURGESS. SMN. H.M.T. RINOVIA.’; 1939-45 STAR; ATLANTIC STAR, 1 COPY CLASP, FRANCE & GERMANY; AFRICA STAR; WAR MEDAL 1939-45; TOGETHER WITH THE RECIPIENT’S PATROL SERVICE BADGE

D.S.M. London Gazette 4 October 1940: ‘For good services when attacked by enemy aircraft.’

Frederick Ronald Burgess served in Rinovia, a 429 ton Grimsby trawler, built in 1931 and requisitioned by the Royal Navy in August 1939 and fitted as a minesweeper. She was employed in sweeping mines in the western Channel. On 19 July 1940 she was the target of an air attack, but survived, shooting down one of her attackers, during which Burgess distinguished himself and was recognized with the D.S.M. On 2 November 1940 she detonated a mine when 2.9 miles south-south-east of St. Anthony Point, Falmouth and sank, with 14 casualties.

Condition VF, some minor EK’s and scratches to first or better.