Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. Able Seaman E. W. Manion, Royal Navy. On an original pin EF

‘On 8th April 1945 this rating detected, classified and held contact with a “U”-boat which was taking avoiding action. His skill as an operator and devotion to duty throughout resulted in contact being maintained with the “U”-boat until it was destroyed.’

Ernest William Manion was serving with the destroyer Fitzroy while she was serving as part of the 21st Escort Group, operating out of Liverpool in early 1945. The first victory for the group was on 27 March when Conn, Deane and Rupert destroyed U925. On the same Fitzroy, Redmill and Byron detected, cornered and sank U722 off the Isle of Skye. Conn, Deane and Rupert later claimed U1021 on 30 March although German records suggest that she went missing in further south than their contact.The action for which Manion was decorated was the sinking of U1001 off Southern Ireland on 8 April, he managed to get a solid ASDIC signal from the U-Boat. Holding the signal Manion directed Fitzroy and Byron to the location of the enemy where they dropped depth charges, destroying their target. The recommendation relates the actions of this period as follows involved stating:

‘H.M.S. Fitzroy formed part of the 21st Escort Group which destroyed four “U”-boats in coastal waters, between 27th March and 9th April 1945. H.M.S. Fitzroy assisted in the destruction of one “U”-boat and detected and delivered a very damaging attack to a second “U”-boat.’

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