The evacuation of Greece D.S.M. group of six medals to Acting Leading Seaman James McIntosh, Royal

The evacuation of Greece D.S.M. group of six medals to Acting Leading Seaman James McIntosh, Royal Navy: Distinguished Service Medal, George VI (P/JX. 132025 J. MCINTOSH. A/L. SMN. H.M.S. CALCUTTA.); Naval General Service Medal 1909-62, clasp: Palestine 1936-1939 (J. 132025 J. MC INTOSH. A.B. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45; mounted for wearing, the N.G.S. an official replacement, good very fine [6]; together with a copy of the recipient's unpublished memoirs.

D.S.M. London Gazette 11/11/1941"gallantry and distinguished services in operations in Greek waters".

James McIntosh was born in Windygate, Fife on the 27th June 1912. He joined the Royal Navy as a boy in 1928 and engaged as an Ordinary Seaman for 12 years on his 18th Birthday. Between 1937 and 1939 he served in the Battleship H.M.S. Malaya, taking part in the British response to the Arab Revolt in Palestine (medal and clasp). McIntosh served in the Light Cruiser H.M.S. Calcutta from 25th August 1939 (Able Seaman), and saw action in the Second World War including the evacuation of Norway, the Evacuation of the BEF from Dunkirk (Operation Dynamo) and convoy duties in the Mediterranean. During the allied evacuation of Greece (Operation Demon) McIntosh, now Acting Leading Seaman, was the coxwain of Calcutta's motor boat as it ferried troops to the ship, and when Crete was also evacuated in May 1941, Calcutta played a key role. It was for this period of activity that McIntosh was recommended for the D.S.M. On the 1st June 1941 Calcutta, with McIntosh on board, was sunk off Alexandria by bombs from a Junkers 88, but he was among the survivors.