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• Auction House:
  Webb's
• Sale Name:
  The Gibson Collection of Orders, Decorations and Medals
• Sale Date:
  09 Apr 2014 ~ 6.30pm (NZ time)
• Lot #:
  37
• Lot Description:
  Outstanding 'Battle of the River Plate' group of 5 to Gunner Eric J Watts, DSC, RN.
  (i) Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) GRI cypher, hallmarked SG London 1939; reverse engraved (Eric J Watts, Gunner RN, HMS Achilles, 13 December 1939). (ii) 1939-34 Star. (iii) Atlantic Star. (iv) Pacific Star w/c 'Burma'. (v) War Medal 1939-45. DSC, London Gazette, 23 February 1940. One of four DSC for HMS Achilles, of a total of 17 for the Battle of the River Plate. Gunner Watts was awarded the DSC for the Battle of the River Plate, December 1939, an action which is described in a number of books. Dudley Pope in The Battle of the River Plate (1956), page 155, mentions Gunner Watts. 'Sitting at [Lieutenant R E] Washbourn's right was the spotting officer, Sergeant Samuel Trimble. This big, red-faced Ulsterman was better known as 'Baggy' Trimble, and his job was spotting the fall of [HMS] Achilles' shells and reporting them to the Transmitting Station. On Washbourn's left was the Rate Officer, Mr Eric Watts. Rotund, placid and very competent, he was the Gunner. He had the difficult job of estimating the [German Pocket Battleship] Graf Spee's course and speed, and any alterations she might make, and reporting them to the Transmitting Station'. [Washbourn and Trimble were wounded in the action and received DSO and CGM, respectively.] Watts' is mentioned on page 48 of 'The official history of New Zealand in the Second World War: The Royal New Zealand Navy' by S D Waters, Wellington : 1956, and on page 25 of 'Achilles at the River Plate: New Zealand in the Second World War: Official History', by S D Waters, Wellington, 1948. Also included in this group is a copy of 'The Battle of the River Plate' by Dudley Pope. London : W. Kimber [1956]. 8vo. 259 p., illustrated. Hard cover with dust jacket housed in plastic. Cosiderable wear and foxing. Confirmed by Seedie. With research notes.
• Provenance:
  New Zealand Coin and Medal Co Ltd., Auckland.
• Estimate:
  NZ$9,000 - 16,000
• Realised Price:
  Undisclosed
• Category:
  Militaria & Weapons

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.