A Magnificent Distinguished Service Cross (1941)
and 2nd Award Bar (1942)
To;
"Skipper" / Lt Cdr James "Jimmy" Fountain. R.N.V.R.
(HMS RESPARKO) Minesweeper Trawler. FY822
London Gazette 1st January 1941.(Page 25)
"...for outstanding zeal, patience and cheerfulness, and for never failing to set an example of wholehearted devotion to duty, without which the high standards of The Royal Navy could not have been upheld"
HMS RESPARKO was sunk by German Aircraft Bombing off Falmouth 20th August 1940..........James Fountain was again 'right at the front' when his next command HMS CALVERTON was mined and sunk off the Humber on 29 November 1940.
His 2nd Award Bar was published in the London Gazette (Sup) on 27th January 1942.|
"For courage, resolution and devotion to duty while minesweeping" (in heavy weather in the case of this recipient)
A superb double "Action" D.S.C. group to a classic minesweeper trawler "skipper".
James Fountain was from Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire.
The group (which is mounted as worn ) comes with a good file of some 30 original photos of the recipient and other associated naval shipping subjects.
Also included is the original DSC case and the Original Adressed Card Box which contained the WW2 stars.
Various newspaper clippings give a 'very' interesting history of the man and the medals.
The medals are court mounted as worn, but as you will see the Atlantic Star AND the France and Germany Star are BOTH present in the group. This is not technically correct as the Atlantic Star should officially bear the F&G Clasp when worn in the group.
(*A France and Germany Clasp is included in the sale should the buyer wish to re-mount the medals)
Other Warship Commands listed for James Fountain, RNR
Ship
Rank
Type
From
To
HMS Resparko (FY 822)
T/Skr.
MS Trawler
1 May 1940
20 Aug 1940
HMS Calverton (FY 775)
T/Skr.
MS Trawler
16 Sep 1940
29 Nov 1940
HMS Ben Meidie (FY 1818)
T/Skr.
MS Trawler
early 1943
mid/late45
AN EXCELLENT AND RARE DOUBLE GALLANTRY GROUP TO A WORLD WAR 2 MINESWEEPER.
SOLD