Watch List notes:

*A Rare and Impressive WW2 Humberside Minesweeping D.S.O. & Bar M.V.O. Group of 11 awarded to Captain William Scott Bardwell, Royal Navy, who had earlier in his career received injuries and 'bruises to head, arm and body' during disturbances at Ichang, China, in 1927 during service on the China Station and various trips up the Yangtze, comprising:Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., in silver-gilt and enamels, enamel chip to obverse left arm of cross reverse of suspension bar dated '1942', with Second Award Bar, reverse dated '1944'; The Royal Victorian Order, Member's Fourth Class (M.V.O.) breast Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, reverse numbered '1304'; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. W.S. Bardwell. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W.S. Bardwell. R.N.); 1939-1945 Star; Atlantic Star, with France and Germany Bar; Defence and War Medals, the latter bearing bronze M.I.D. Oakleaf; Naval General Service 1915-62, G.VI.R., single clasp, Minesweeping 1945-51 (Capt. W.S. Bardwell. D.S.O. M.V.O. R.N.); Jubilee 1935; light contact marks overall, generally very fine, mounted as originally worn, with two original Certificates of Conduct, dated 30.9.1945 and 16.3.1946 (11). D.S.O. London Gazette 11.6.1942 Captain William Scott Bardwell, M.V.O., Royal Navy (Retired). The original recommendation in his service papers states: 'for outstanding zeal, patience and cheerfulness, and for never failing to set an example of wholehearted devotion to duty, without which the high tradition of the Royal Navy could not have been upheld.' D.S.O. Second Award Bar London Gazette 8.6.1944 Captain William Scott Bardwell, D.S.O., M.V.O., Royal Navy (Retired). The Recommendation states: 'Captain W.S. Bardwell has served as Captain M/S Humber since 1940. By his magnificent leadership and example he has instilled into the personnel of his M/S Force the excellent spirit which it is only fair to say makes that Force second to none in the Service. I cannot speak too highly of Captain Bardwell; he is ever unsparing in his efforts which continue to produce results repeatedly evoking commendation from higher authorities and which I consider full worthy of further recognition.' M.V.O. London Gazette 1.1.1931 Commander William Scott Bardwell, R.N. (dated 23rd August, 1930). M.I.D. London Gazette 1.1.1942 Acting Captain William Scott Bardwell, M.V.O., Royal Navy. Captain William Scott Bardwell, D.S.O., M.V.O. was born on 21 April 1892, son of T. N. F. Bardwell of Bolton Hall, East Yorkshire. He was educated at Cheam School, Royal Naval College Osborne and Dartmouth, where he awarded the King's Medal. He joined the Royal Navy as Midshipman on 15 September 1909, reaching Sub-Lieutenant on 30 November 1912, and Lieutenant aboard H.M.S. Daisy from 25 November 1913. During the Great War, his appointments included Officer Commanding H.M.S. Pansy and H.M.S. Dahlia; being promoted to Commander on 30 June 1924. He was later appointed to the gunboat H.M.S. Cockchafer on the China Station from 16 October 1926, during which time he served along the Yangtze River. This ship was involved in several incidents during the time, largely involving boarding incidents against British vessels led by local warlord Yang Sen at Wanhsien. Anti-British sentiment was high, and on one occasion Dalrymple "sustained bruises on head, arm and body during disturbances at Ichang" (service papers refer) on the 24 February 1927. His other post war appointments included service as Officer Commanding H.M.S. Albury (Minesweeper) between 22 May 1929 and 1 May 1931, and Officer Commanding H.M.S. Curlew (cruiser) from 5 November 1936. Upon the outbreak of hostilities in the Second World War, Bardwell served as Acting Captain with the Naval Intelligence Division, soon after appointed as Officer Commanding Humber Minesweeping Forces on 10 December 1940, this he did from H.M.S. Colonsay (Grimsby). Bardwell held this position for the duration of the War, receiving the following praise from his Commanding Officer: "Captain Bardwell has held this appointment since 10th December 1940 and has been in charge of minesweeping operations in the Humber area for nearly five years of war. He has directed and personally supervised this dangerous work with outstanding ability and energy keeping open our East Coast ports and serving innumerable ships"; he relinquished his command in early 1946, retiring in May of that year, and later died on 24 October 1968. Offered with a quantity of useful copied research, two hand-written documents regarding his service, and an original hand-annotated 'Memento of 14th July 1948' on card. Ex Spink, 24 July 2008 (£7000-8000)