- SURNAME
Dutton
- FORENAME
Brian Frederick
- UNIT
Portsmouth and Medway Clearance Diving Team + Fleet Clearance Diving Team 1,Royal Navy
- RANK
Lieutenant + Lieutenant Commander
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Queen's Gallantry Medal, Distinguished Service Order
- PLACE
North Sea (off Felixstowe) 1974 (QGM) Falklands 1982 (DSO)
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
London Gazette 46558, 29th April 1945, Page 5521 (QGM)
London Gazette 49134, 8th October 1982, Page 12834 (DSO)
CITATION:
Queen's Gallantry Medal : Lieutenant Dutton, the Officer-in-Charge of the Portsmouth and Medway Clearance Diving Team and Leading Seaman Brett, a member of the Portsmouth and Medway Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team, boarded the Suction Dredger THE SOLENT moored off Felixstowe at 2100 on 3rd August 1974 to investigate a mine which was immovably jammed in the vessel's drag head. The mine, a Ground Type GD, is the most difficult and dangerous to render safe of all the types used by the Germans in World War II. Because of the location and condition in which the mine was discovered, the normal procedure for rendering the mine safe was not possible.
After Lieutenant Dutton had organised the evacuation of non-essential personnel from the dredger, he and Leading Seaman Brett commenced the difficult task of removing the mine from the vessel's drag head. The damage to the fuse in the dredging operation prevented identification and normal defusing procedure. Although aware that the fuse might be in a highly dangerous state, Lieutenant Dutton and Leading Seaman Brett continued with the task until the mine was eventually freed, lowered to the sea-bed and detonated at 0205 the following morning.
Lieutenant Dutton's skill and calm efficiency and Leading Seaman Brett's courage and devotion to duty during the prolonged operation were in the highest tradition of the Service.
Source : LG46558
Distinguished Service Order : During Argentine air attacks on 21st May 1982 HMS ARGONAUT was struck by a 1000 Ib bomb which did not explode. The bomb caused extensive damage and lodged between two missiles in the forward magazine where it was also surrounded by damaged and extremely dangerous ordnance.
Lieutenant Commander Dutton, as Officer in Charge of Fleet Clearance Diving Team 1 was tasked to remove the bomb. He decided that it was too dangerous to defuse in situ. Instead he took the decision to lift the bomb from the magazine and hoist it overboard. The task proved extremely complex and hazardous requiring clearance of ammunition from the magazine and cutting through sections of the ship's structure. The operation took the team seven days during which HMS ARGONAUT came under further air attacks. The slightest jar or disturbance to the precise lifting angle would have resulted in an explosion which would almost certainly have caused the loss of the ship.
In spite of these difficulties the bomb was successfully removed, largely due to the skill and ingenuity of Lieutenant Commander Dutton. He displayed staunch determination, steadfastness and courage of the highest order.
After Lieutenant Dutton had organised the evacuation of non-essential personnel from the dredger, he and Leading Seaman Brett commenced the difficult task of removing the mine from the vessel's drag head. The damage to the fuse in the dredging operation prevented identification and normal defusing procedure. Although aware that the fuse might be in a highly dangerous state, Lieutenant Dutton and Leading Seaman Brett continued with the task until the mine was eventually freed, lowered to the sea-bed and detonated at 0205 the following morning.
Lieutenant Dutton's skill and calm efficiency and Leading Seaman Brett's courage and devotion to duty during the prolonged operation were in the highest tradition of the Service.
Source : LG46558
Distinguished Service Order : During Argentine air attacks on 21st May 1982 HMS ARGONAUT was struck by a 1000 Ib bomb which did not explode. The bomb caused extensive damage and lodged between two missiles in the forward magazine where it was also surrounded by damaged and extremely dangerous ordnance.
Lieutenant Commander Dutton, as Officer in Charge of Fleet Clearance Diving Team 1 was tasked to remove the bomb. He decided that it was too dangerous to defuse in situ. Instead he took the decision to lift the bomb from the magazine and hoist it overboard. The task proved extremely complex and hazardous requiring clearance of ammunition from the magazine and cutting through sections of the ship's structure. The operation took the team seven days during which HMS ARGONAUT came under further air attacks. The slightest jar or disturbance to the precise lifting angle would have resulted in an explosion which would almost certainly have caused the loss of the ship.
In spite of these difficulties the bomb was successfully removed, largely due to the skill and ingenuity of Lieutenant Commander Dutton. He displayed staunch determination, steadfastness and courage of the highest order.
WEB LINKS:
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/46558/supplement/5521 (QGM)https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/49134/supplement/12834 (DSO)
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