Groups and Single Decorations for Gallantry

Sold by Order of a Direct Descendant


Family Group:

The Outstanding Korean War D.S.O. and Second War Fleet Air Arm fighter pilot’s D.S.C. group of twelve awarded to Lieutenant-Commander S. J. Hall, Royal Navy; the D.S.C. for gallantry in leading 800 Squadron’s Hellcats from H.M.S. Emperor during Operation Tungsten, the raid against the German Battleship Tirpitz on 3 April 1944. Mentioned in Despatches for Operation Pot Luck, when he led his squadron in strafing attacks of German shipping and aircraft at Rorvik, Norway, 14-15 May 1944, he further took part in operations in support of the D-Day landings and was heavily engaged against ground targets during Operation Dragoon.
During the Korean War, as Air Group Commander, 14th Carrier Air Group, he flew a large number of sorties, piloting Sea Furies from H.M.S. Glory, and in September 1951 he was shot down near Choppeki Point, being picked up by a helicopter after an hour in the water, thus being awarded the “Winged S”, Helicopter Rescue Certificate, as well as the D.S.O.
Distinguished Service Order, E.II.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., silver, hallmarks for London 1943, the reverse of the Cross officially dated ‘1944’; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star, 1 clasp, France and Germany; Arctic Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Italy Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with M.I.D. oak leaves; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue (Lt. Cdr. S. J. Hall D.S.O., D.S.C. R.N.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, court mounted as worn, with Garrard, London, cases of issue for the D.S.O. and D.S.C., and the Arctic Star loose in named case of issue; together with the recipient’s related miniature awards, extremely fine

Pair: Third Officer Mrs. Dorothy M. Hall, Women’s Royal Naval Service
Defence and War Medals 1939-45, mounted as worn, with named card box of issue addressed to ‘Mrs. D. Hall, 6 Officers Married Quarters, Ford, Salisbury, Wilts.’, nearly extremely fine (14) £8,000-£12,000

---

D.S.O. London Gazette 3 October 1952:
‘For distinguished services in operations in Korean waters.’

D.S.C. London Gazette 30 May 1944:
‘For undaunted courage, skill and determination in carrying out the daring attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz on 3rd April 1944.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 18 July 1944:
‘For outstanding services in H.M. Ships Emperor and Striker in operations against enemy shipping in Northern Waters.’

Sidney James Hall was born in Hightown, Liverpool on 10 September 1917 and joined the Merchant Navy on 12 September 1933. Serving on numerous ships over the next four years, he gained his Second Mate’s certificate in December 1937. On 13 September 1938, he joined the Royal Navy Reserve as a probationary Sub Lieutenant and was commissioned Sub Lieutenant, Royal Navy, on 1 March 1939, joining the shore establishment H.M.S. Vernon on 15 May. Joining the Cruiser H.M.S. Berwick 20 January 1940, he subsequently joined the Destroyer, H.M.S. Vortigern, on 6 July 1940, and with this ship he would have taken part in the attacks on the French Battleship Dunkerque shortly after. Applying for training as a pilot, Hall had his first training flight at on 9 January 1941 at 14 R.A.F. E.F.T.S. and was promoted Lieutenant on 15 February. By May of that year he was training on Fairey Battles, having moved to 31 S.F.T.S. and was noted as an above average pilot in his end of August logbook entry. He switched to Hurricanes at 760 Squadron, R.N.A.S. Yeovilton in September, and then to Fairey Fulmar’s at 761 Squadron in November.

First Operational Flying Posting and the Tirpitz

In February 1942 Hall had his first operational posting to 806 Squadron, Fleet Air Arm, at H.M.S. Lanka; the R.N. base at Colombo, Ceylon. In the main, still flying Fulmars, between then and the end of June 1942, he flew a large number of flights, including fighter umbrella’s over the Fleet and reconnaissance, having at the end of April started to perform deck landings. Between September 1942 and June 1943, he served with 784 Fleet Air Arm Squadron at Drem, Scotland but in July of the year he was given command of 800 Fleet Air Arm Squadron. Promoted Acting Lieutenant-Commander on 7 July 1943, on joining this squadron, Hall started flying Sea Hurricane IIc’s, switching to Grumman Hellcat F6F I’s at the end of August; 800 Squadron was the first squadron to be equipped with this American build type.

In October 1942, 800 Squadron became part of 7th Naval Fighter Wing, Hall becoming the Wing Leader, a position he would hold until March 1944. After familiarisation with Hellcats, on 5 December 1943, the squadron joined the escort carrier H.M.S. Emperor. In January 1944, H.M.S. Emperor escorted a convoy to the U.S.A., returning home with another convoy a month later. Joining the Home Fleet, on 18 March, she embarked for operations off the coast of Norway. During the following six months Hall would see a great deal of operational flying and for his gallantry in action, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for the daring attack on the German Battleship Tirpitz on 3 April 1944.

Operation Tungsten

On 3 April 1944, H.M.S. Emperor took part in Operation Tungsten, the most successful of a series of Fleet Air Arm attacks on the Tirpitz, which were carried out during 1944. The main strike force consisted of 40 Barracuda dive bombers, from the Fleet carriers H.M.S. Furious and Victorious; H.M.S. Emperor supplying Hellcats from 800 and 804 Squadrons as support. The escort carriers H.M.S. Pursuer, Searcher, and Fencer also supplied fighter cover for the bombers and the fleets itself. The attack totally surprised the Germans and Tirpitz suffered a number of direct hits and was out of service for three months. A total of 438 of her crew were also killed or wounded and her supply ship C.A. Larrsen was additionally hit and damaged. During the attack, Hall led the 800 Squadron’s Hellcats in two sorties against Tirpitz that day (according to his logbook); initially as fighter cover for the carriers Barracudas, and then strafing gun enemy positions.

Operation Pot Luck

On 14 May 1944 Hall led Hellcats from his squadron on Operation Pot Luck, an attack on shipping at Rorvik, in company with aircraft from H.M.S. Striker. The attack resulted in three enemy merchant ships being hit and damaged and 5 He115 floatplanes were strafed and destroyed by pilots of 800 Squadron under Hall. The following day Hall led a similar attack which involved a further attack being made on the fish oil factory at Fossevaag. Two armed trawlers were strafed and sunk. For his services Hall was Mentioned in Despatches.

Further service with H.M.S. Emperor

Hall’s logbook for his service with H.M.S. Emperor records a large number of flights, squadron casualties and other operations. On 8 May he records that during Operation Hoops he led aircraft from his squadron against a convoy off Kristiansund, during which they were ‘bounced’ by four FW190’s and 2 Me109’s. In what was probab...