Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Second World War Salerno landings D.S.M. awarded to Temporary Acting Leading Seaman R. W. Marsh, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (Temp. A. Ldg. Smn. R. W. Marsh, C/SSX. 16317), fixed suspension, engraved naming, edge nicks, contact marks and somewhat polished, thus good fine £600-800

D.S.M. London Gazette 23 May 1944. The original recommendation states:

‘He was Coxswain of the pinnace and his skill and devotion to duty have done much to prevent my ship from damage. And for laying smoke floats.’

Reginald William Marsh was decorated for his services in the cruiser H.M.S. Orion at the time of the Salerno landings in September 1943 (copied Admiralty letter of notification refers). On that occasion, as part of the 15th Cruiser Squadron under Rear-Admiral C. H. J. Harcourt, R.N., the Orion, commanded by Captain J. P. Gornall, R.N., leant close support to the assaulting troops. Next actively employed in the landings off Anzio and the South of France, in addition to further operations in the Aegean, the Orion ended the War with a remarkable tally of 13 Battle Honours, a record only exceeded by one other ship. And for his own part, Marsh received his D.S.M. at a Buckingham Palace investiture held in March 1945.