- SURNAME
Harris
- FORENAME
Ian Antrobus
- UNIT
R.A.N.V.R. N Commando
- RANK
T/Lieutenant
- NUMBER
- AWARD
Distinguished Service Cross
- PLACE
Anzio 1944
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Ian Antrobus Harris
Number: -
Rank: Lieutenant
D.O.B.: 12th February 1920, Mount Gambier, South Australia
Service History
18.12.40 Enlisted as a Sub Lieutenant, RANVR, HMAS Torrens
06.01.41 Posted to HMAS Cerberus
03.02.41 Posted to HMAS Rushcutter for A/S School
09.06.41 Qualified A/S Selection Course. Above average ability as an A/S
Officer
20.07.41 Passage per New Zealand Star for passage to the United Kingdom
from Sydney.
31.07.41 Posted to London Depot
25.09.41 Posted to the ?City of Durham?
20.10.41 Posted to HMS Campbelltown ? Destroyer.
01.02.42 Posted to HMS Orlando
23.02.42 Awarded Certificate of Efficiency ? Is competent to take charge of
watch at sea by day and to perform the duties of Officer of Watch
in Harbour.
19.03.42 Posted to HMS Vanity
17.08.42 Posted to HMS Vernon ? Torpedo School
24.09.42 Posted to HMS Evolution
22.12.42 Posted to HMS Pembroke
09.01.43 Posted to HMS Quebec, combined operations training centre for
Beach Party Sub Unit
16.06.43 Promoted to Lieutenant (A/S)
01.07.43 Posted to HMS Copra ? Combined Operations
10.07.43 Invasion of Sicily. Served with N1 Party, N Commando
22.02.44 Anzio Landings ? ?Operation Shingle?
12.04.44 Beach Party Sub Unit
09.05.44 Awarded of Distinguished Service Cross announced in the London
Gazette.
?For outstanding skill, resolution and devotion to duty as a member
of the Royal Naval Beach Commandos during the assault and
successful landings at Anzio. Throughout Operation ?Shingle?, this
officer was outstanding but is particularly commended for his
action in saving survivors from HMS Janus on the night of 23
January, 1944. He was in charge of a DUKW and, when helping
one survivor onboard, injured himself by cracking three ribs.
Nevertheless, he continued to swim about in the darkness and oil
fuel, assisting survivors, and then directed the navigation of his
DUKW over four miles of sea with no compass and with little help
from the stars. He collapsed on reaching the shore.?
23.01.45 Embarked for Australia
21.02.45 Returned to Australia and posted to HMAS Torrens
26.04.45 Demobilised
19.11.46 Distinguished Service Cross presented by the Governor of South
Australia at Government House, Adelaide.
notes by John Kennett
Number: -
Rank: Lieutenant
D.O.B.: 12th February 1920, Mount Gambier, South Australia
Service History
18.12.40 Enlisted as a Sub Lieutenant, RANVR, HMAS Torrens
06.01.41 Posted to HMAS Cerberus
03.02.41 Posted to HMAS Rushcutter for A/S School
09.06.41 Qualified A/S Selection Course. Above average ability as an A/S
Officer
20.07.41 Passage per New Zealand Star for passage to the United Kingdom
from Sydney.
31.07.41 Posted to London Depot
25.09.41 Posted to the ?City of Durham?
20.10.41 Posted to HMS Campbelltown ? Destroyer.
01.02.42 Posted to HMS Orlando
23.02.42 Awarded Certificate of Efficiency ? Is competent to take charge of
watch at sea by day and to perform the duties of Officer of Watch
in Harbour.
19.03.42 Posted to HMS Vanity
17.08.42 Posted to HMS Vernon ? Torpedo School
24.09.42 Posted to HMS Evolution
22.12.42 Posted to HMS Pembroke
09.01.43 Posted to HMS Quebec, combined operations training centre for
Beach Party Sub Unit
16.06.43 Promoted to Lieutenant (A/S)
01.07.43 Posted to HMS Copra ? Combined Operations
10.07.43 Invasion of Sicily. Served with N1 Party, N Commando
22.02.44 Anzio Landings ? ?Operation Shingle?
12.04.44 Beach Party Sub Unit
09.05.44 Awarded of Distinguished Service Cross announced in the London
Gazette.
?For outstanding skill, resolution and devotion to duty as a member
of the Royal Naval Beach Commandos during the assault and
successful landings at Anzio. Throughout Operation ?Shingle?, this
officer was outstanding but is particularly commended for his
action in saving survivors from HMS Janus on the night of 23
January, 1944. He was in charge of a DUKW and, when helping
one survivor onboard, injured himself by cracking three ribs.
Nevertheless, he continued to swim about in the darkness and oil
fuel, assisting survivors, and then directed the navigation of his
DUKW over four miles of sea with no compass and with little help
from the stars. He collapsed on reaching the shore.?
23.01.45 Embarked for Australia
21.02.45 Returned to Australia and posted to HMAS Torrens
26.04.45 Demobilised
19.11.46 Distinguished Service Cross presented by the Governor of South
Australia at Government House, Adelaide.
notes by John Kennett
