A World War Two Distinguished Service Medal group awarded to Henry Alexander Brooks CH. STO K. 64576 comprising Distinguished Service Medal with bar, Long Service and Good Conduct medal to H.64576 H.A Brooks S.P.O HMS Mallard, Africa star and bar, Italy star, Atlantic star and a 1939 - 45 star, together with two cased attendance medals, two Japanese lacquered photograph albums containing snapshots of his time aboard HMS Dorsetshire dated 1935 to 1937 and a small quantity of related paperwork and documents relating to his naval career.

Henry Alexander Brooks was born on 29th June 1904 in Bristol and served in the Royal Navy from 1924 until 1946. His certificate of service details he received his Long Service and Good Conduct medal on 30th September 1939 and was paid £20 in gratuity in October 1939. It also details he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal on 11th June 1942 and his bar on 8th September 1942. From the 1st January 1942 until 14th September 1942, he was serving aboard HMS Zulu.

It is believed the bar was awarded for -bravery or skilful conduct whilst escorting or protecting a convoy-. His certificate of service shows that on the 15th September, he was aboard as Chief Stoker on HMS Nile (Whitehaven). Interestingly, a newspaper cutting (bears no date) details --after that we went into the Mediterranean zone, eventually being sunk at Tobruk. I was picked up after being in the water for only a few hours, and then for three months I roamed the desert until I contacted some other fellows and we managed to make our way to a Naval H.Q. I joined another ship and we took part in the Eighth Army-s sweep along the coast from El Alamein. Maybe this latest award has been given for the part we played in convoying merchant ships to Malta-

He is mentioned in the London Gazette on 11th June 1942 and 8th September 1942.

The folder of paperwork includes two Anti Gas School Devonport photographs (one without gas masks on, one with), his Certificate of the Service detailing his extensive Naval career, his employment and ability record, his History Sheet for Stoker Ratings, a 1927 refence for HMS Emperor of India, War Gratuity and Post War credit of wages letter, his Order for release from Naval Service and various letters and documents.

With thanks to Steve Taylor from Stourbridge Collectables for his help in researching this medal group.

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