A scarce 'Korea' Fleet Air Arm Firefly Observer's D.S.C. group of eight awarded to Lieutenan...

A scarce ‘Korea’ Fleet Air Arm Firefly Observer’s D.S.C. group of eight awarded to Lieutenant Commander J. G. C. Harvey, Fleet Air Arm and Royal Navy, who having served in Swordfish with 813 Squadron in North Africa during the Second War, went on to distinguish himself with 812 Squadron off Korea on many operational sorties carried out from H.M. Carrier Glory Distinguished Service Cross, E.II.R., reverse officially dated ‘1952’, hallmarks for London 1952, with Spink & Son maker’s mark; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (Lieut. J. G. C. Harvey, D.S.C. R.N.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, lacquered, generally nearly very fine or better (8) £3,000-£4,000 --- D.S.C. London Gazette 30 September 1952: ‘For distinguished service in operations in Korean Waters.’ John Gabriel Cavendish Harvey was born in 1922, and was appointed Sub Lieutenant (A), Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in October 1942. Having passed through H.M.S. St. Vincent for aircrew selection, he was subsequently posted as an Observer to 813 Squadron at H.M.S. Cormorant. Harvey was posted for operational service with the Squadron, November 1942 - August 1943. Including in Swordfish on torpedo spotter reconnaissance as part of ‘Y’ Flight based at Tafaraoui, Algeria. He continued to be employed with 826 Squadron in the same area. Harvey advanced to Lieutenant (A) in August 1944, and served as an Observer with 711 Squadron based at H.M.S. Jackdaw. By July 1946 he was confirmed as a Lieutenant (A) in the regular Royal Navy, and in 1948 was serving in the Compass Department of the Admiralty. Harvey served as 812 Squadron’s Senior Observer during the Korean War. Operating in Fireflies from the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Glory. On 23 April 1951 H.M.S. Glory arrived in Korean waters to start her first of three operational tours, taking over from H.M.S. Theseus. Her arrival coincided with the Chinese Spring Offensive and the two squadrons operating from Glory, 804 Squadron flying Sea Furies, and 812 Squadron flying Fireflies, were immediately in action. Harvey received his award of the D.S.C. for his service in many offensive operations during H.M.S. Glory’s Second Tour of operations in Korean Waters from 27 January - 5 May 1952. On one day, 17 March, the aircraft from Glory launched a record 105 sorties. Harvey would have recorded a large number of sorties, armed reconnaissances, close air support, strafing attacks, strikes on enemy positions, as well as escort and spotting flights over the course of the 5 month tour. An illustration of the Squadron’s work can be found on the Memoriam to Lieutenant John Harry Sharp also of Harvey’s Squadron. He was killed in action on 28 June 1951, during Glory’s first tour: ‘Glory’s second patrol started on 11th May, the Sea Furies were soon busy on AR details, attacking targets of opportunity, and on the 13th May, ox-carts became legitimate targets, as the enemy began using them to transport ammunition. On 14th, the ship replenished, and a stoker fell overboard, quickly rescued by the helicopter doing a photo-shoot. H.M.S. Nootka caused some consternation, when she was caught North, when daylight came, and had to have a CAP, until she reached the safety of the fleet. A simulated assault from the sea, was launched in the area of Cho-do, to relieve some of the Communist pressure on the army. While aircraft provided CAP for the diversionary force, led by Kenya and Ceylon, other aircraft spotted for the cruisers’ shore bombardments. In the last three days of the patrol, variable weather affected flying, but 155 sorties were flown. A defective stern gland restricted Glory's speed on her journey to Sasebo, limiting her to 19 knots. The ship replenished and refitted at Sasebo, and the stern gland was fixed, while the hull was scraped. On 3rd June, Glory sailed for her Third Patrol, she relieved U.S.S. Bataan, and flying started on 4th June, with the Furies going into action against junks, at Hanchon and Kumsan-ni. Sorties continued throughout the patrol, Pilot 3 S.W.E. Ford, was forced to ditch his Firefly, after it took some damage, and the aircraft pitched forward and sank almost immediately, the pilot being unable to escape. The attack rules were changed, as a result of increasing aircraft returning with light flak and small arms fire damage, and general debris being picked up from low-passes over targets…’ For H.M.S. Glory’s second and third tours in Korean Waters, six Observer officers and Ratings were recognised for their distinguished service in air operations. Five were Mentioned in Despatches and Harvey was decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross. He was presented with his award at an investiture on 10 March 1953. Harvey was appointed to 703 Squadron in March 1952 serving at H.M.S. Peregrine, and was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander (A) in August 1952. Subsequent service included at H.M.S. Gannet and with H.M.S. Ark Royal. Lieutenant Commander Harvey retired in 1958, and resided in later life at Crowborough, East Sussex. He died in March 2008. Harvey’s Distinguished Service Cross is of the rare first Queen Elizabeth type, as executed by the London firm of silversmiths Spink and Son. After Queen Elizabeth’s accession to the throne in January 1952 Spink & Son were awarded the contract to design and manufacture the new obverse die for the D.S.C. with the EIIR Royal Cypher and to strike the first batch of crosses. A very small number of these were awarded before the contract to manufacture these reverted to the Royal Mint. 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