Helped to Ram Submarine - D.S.M. For Rushden Convoy Hero

During a Malta convoy several weeks ago, an Italian submarine was forced to the surface by depth charges. Near at hand, H.M.S. Ithuriel steamed towards the enemy craft and rammed her, sending it to the bottom.

One of the members of the Ithuriel’s crew was Able Seaman Donald Perkins, a submarine detector, whose parents, Mr. and Mrs. H. Perkins, of 11, East-grove, Rushden, have learned that he has been awarded the D.S.M.

Prior to joining the Navy in June, 1940, Seaman Perkins was a clerk at the Wellingborough L.M.S. railway offices, where he had been employed since leaving Wellingborough School at the age of 16.

He is 23 years of age, and this was his second voyage to Malta.

Commission for Rushden's D.S.M.

Rushden's young sailor hero, A/B Donald Perkins, winner of the D.S.M. for his fine anti-submarine work on H.M.S. Ithuriel, is now Sub-Lieut. Perkins. The award of his commission has just been announced.

Sub-Lieut. Perkins is the youngest of the five sons of Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Perkins, of 11, East-grove, Rushden, and joined the Royal Navy nearly three years ago. He is 24 years of age and was educated at Wellingborough Grammar School after winning a scholarship from Rushden Newton-road School, afterwards serving the L.M.S. Railway Co. in their locomotive offices near Wellingborough.

The award of his D.S.M. was announced last autumn, but the decoration ceremony has not yet taken place.