Lot 211
A SECOND WORLD WAR ROYAL NAVY GALLANTRY AND LONG SERVICE GROUP OF FIVE.
A George VI Distinguished Service medal, 1939/45 Star, Atlantic Star, War medal and George VI Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Long Service and Good Conduct medal. Named to BD/X.785 Thomas Martin Mc Mahon, Petty Officer, H.M.S.Whitley. Mounted as worn. The Distinguished Service medal announced in the London Gazette, 27th August 1940, p5266. Apparently when H.M.S. Whitley was sinking under attack from enemy aircraft Petty Officer continued to operate the guns showing bravery and resourcefulness under fire.
H.M.S. Whitley was ordered as H.M.S. Whitby on 9th December 1916, The name Whitley was apparently a mistake that it was decided not to correct. In 1938 Whitley was selected for conversion to an anti-aircraft escort, she was recommissioned in 1939. In May 1940 she was deployed in support of Allied ground operations in France and Belgium. On 19th May 1940 whilst engaged in such operations she was the victim of an enemy dive bomber attack and badly damaged. This is presumably the action for which Petty Officer McMahon received his award. Beached to avoid sinking she was destroyed by gunfire from H.M.S. Keith to prevent her capture.
See illustration.