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Micklethwait, St. John Aldrich

    Date of birth:
    March 4th, 1901 (Kingston/Surrey, Great Britain)
    Date of death:
    July 31st, 1977
    Nationality:
    British

    Biography

    Micklethwait and most of his crew were taken prisoner following the action off Tobruk in which HMS Sikh was sunk. He spent the rest of the war as a POW in Italy and Germany.
    After the war he remained in the Royal Navy, was appointed Naval Aide-de-Camp to the King in January, 1950. He was made a CB in 1952 and retired from the Navy in the following year. He became the High Sheriff of Monmouthshire in 1959. Deputy Lieutenant in 1960 and was the Chairman of the Cwmbran Development Corporation for 9 years.

    Ship Rank Type From To
    HMS Eskimo (F 75) Cdr. Destroyer 9 Dec 1938 15 Nov 1940
    HMS Cardiff (D 58) Capt. Light cruiser 27 Aug 1941 2 Feb 1942
    HMS Sikh (F 82) Capt. Destroyer 3 Feb 1942 14 Sep 1942
    HMS Onslow (G 17) Capt. Destroyer 6 Sep 1945 early 1946

    Promotions:
    15 May 1920 Acting Sub Lieutenant
    15 Jan 1921 Sub Lieutenant
    15 Jun 1922 Lieutenant
    15 Jun 1930 Lieutenant-Commander
    31 Dec 1935 Commander
    31 Dec 1940 Captain
    7 Jul 1950 Rear-Admiral
    Retired: 15 Dec 1953

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    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Commander
    Unit:
    H.M.S. Eskimo (F75), Royal Navy
    Awarded on:
    February 6th, 1940

    Awarded as per January 1st, 1940.
    Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Commander
    Unit:
    H.M.S. Eskimo (F75), Royal Navy
    Awarded on:
    July 2nd, 1940
    Citation (general):
    "For daring, resource and devotion to duty in the second Battle of Narvik."

    Awarded as per 28 June 1940.
    Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Captain
    Awarded on:
    May 11th, 1945
    For gallantry, skill and seamanship in H.M. Ships Avon Vale; Beaufort, Breconshire, Garlisle, Cleopatra, Dido, Dulverton, Eridge, Euryalus, Havock, Hero, Hurworth, Jervis, Kelvin, Kingston, Kipling, Legion, Lively, Penelope, Sikh, Southwold, and Zulu in a brilliant action against strong enemy forces, which were driven off and severely damaged. This action resulted in the safe passage to Malta of an important Convoy."

    Awarded as per 8 September 1942.
    Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Captain
    Unit:
    Royal Navy
    Awarded on:
    October 20th, 1942
    Mentioned in Dispatches
    Citation (general):
    For bravery and skill in action against enemy Submarines in H.M. Ships Croome, Sikh, Tetcott and Zulu.
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Captain
    Unit:
    Royal Navy
    Awarded on:
    December 22nd, 1942
    Awarded for:
    Operation Agreement
    Mentioned in Dispatches
    Citation (general):
    "For great gallantry, leadership and devotion to duty in H.M. Ships Sikh, Zulu and other ships in the raid on Tobruk in September, 1942."
    Period:
    Second World War (1939-1945)
    Rank:
    Captain
    Awarded on:
    August 26th, 1947
    Haakon VII's frihetskors

    Sources

    • - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 34763 published on the 29 December 1939
      - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 34885 published on the 28 June 1940
      - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35695 published on the 4 September 1942
      - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35751 published on the 16 October 1942
      - Fourth Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35833 published on the 18 December 1942
      - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 38055 published on the 22 August 1947
      - The National Archives
      - Unit Histories
      - Uboat.net
      - Royal Museums Greenwich