Lieutenant Dudley Schofield was awarded the Distinguished Service Order in recognition of gallant and distinguished service. He was one of the Commando contingent that took part in operations from HMS Triumph against the Palermo and Messina railway on the 29/30 August 1941. His party could not be re-embarked and were captured. [1][2][3].

"Lieutenant Schofield was embarked for several war patrols in submarines operating from Malta, being on board for Commando raids as opportunity offered.

He was on board UPRIGHT when "Armando Diaz" was sunk, and TRIUMPH when "Bolzano" was torpedoed.

He commanded 4 raids, the first three from UTMOST in June and July 1941, and the last from TRIUMPH in August 1941.

The result of the first two were not observed, the third resulted in the derailing of an electric train on the Rome - Messina main line. The last destroyed one and a half spans of the double track railway bridge over the River Furiano on the main Messina - Palermo line, which took the enemy some 2 months to repair.

Schofield and his party were unable to return from this and taken prisoner."

Specifically recommended "for his outstanding example, courage and resource in leading 4 raids against Italian railways when embarked in submarines operating from Malta in 1941.

These raids were observed to have destroyed one  train, and on the last occasion part of a double track bridge thus cutting the main railway between Palermo and Messina. This last operation was carried out within 4 days of suffering severe depth charging on board H.M. Submarine TRIUMPH after that vessel had torpedoed the Italian cruiser "Bolzano" in the Northern approaches to the straits of Messina.

In all his undertakings Lieutenant Schofield was an inspiration to his men, and a fine example of resource and initiative" [3].