NEW YORK, NY.- Spink USA announced the auctioning of a rare distinguished service order medal group. It is a testament to one man’s hard work and determination to serve his country even in the face of injury, hardship and terror on the high seas.

Captain Gervase William Heaton’s D.S.O. and Bar, O.B.E. Group of Ten was earned across both World Wars. The first award bar was scored in 1916 'in recognition of bravery and devotion to duty during mine-sweeping and mine-laying operations.’ The second award bar was won in 1918, for 'Mine Recovery' and was also awarded the 1940 Military Division O.B.E. Group of Ten. With only thirty-seven D.S.O.’s with second award bars awarded to the Royal Navy during the Great War, Captain Heaton’s combination can be considered very scarce.

Captain Heaton was appointed Acting Commander '...in charge of a Flotilla of Minesweepers …’, but his one hand is not to be thought of as a warning against the dangers of mines exploding at sea, he lost it during a ‘motor smash’ incident in 1914. However, his dramatic accident led to no reduction in action and services rendered. Throughout the war he served '...in command of two minesweepers, and later a division' being awarded a D.S.O. in the 1916 New Year's Honours, a Mention in Dispatches in January 1917, a French Croix de Guerre in November 1917 and the Second Award Bar in the Birthday Honours List of 1918. The Group is estimated at $5,000-$7,000.

The Numismatic Collector’s Series auction takes place on October 19th-20th at Spink USA’s offices in Manhattan, New York.