{"title":"Europe-Great Britain-Groups \u0026 Single Decorations For Gallantry-Distinguished Service Medal","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"an-early-dsm-bem-submariners-group-gb0209","title":"An Early D.s.m., B.e.m. Submariner’s Group","description":"of Eight, Chief Petty Officer Kenneth Barron, HM Submarine \"Salmon\", the first British Submarine to sink a German U Boat U36 on December 4th, 1939. Distinguished Service Medal, George VI R., officially engraved: K.BARRON, P.O. TEL. J.X. 229635 H.M.S. SALMON 1939; British Empire Medal, officially engraved: C.P.O.TEL KENNETH BARRON D.S.M.; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Pacific Star; Defence Medal; War Medal (these un named as issued); Long Service \u0026amp; Good Conduct Medal, George VI R., impressed: JX 129635 K. BARRON. C.P.O. TEL. H.M.S. DOLPHIN. Good very fine or better, court mounted as worn. D.S.M. L.G. 23 December, 1939; B.E.M. L.G. 11 June, 1946 \"For War Services in the Far East\". Action details: Five enemy destroyers, covered by the Light Cruisers LEIPZIG, NUERNBERG, and KOELN, laid a large contact mine filed off the Tyne. This force was searched for by Bomber Command but without success. At dawn of the 13th December, 1939, whilst on patrol in the Heligoland Bight, the force was sighted by H.M.S. Salmon, who attacked and hit both LEIPZIG and NUERNBERG. Heavy counter attacks prevented the submarine from reporting this action for some five hours, and the enemy force made good its retreat. Nine days previously the Salmon had sunk the German U.36 with torpedoes. A very early submariner?s awards for action against major German Naval units. Sold with considerable research.","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46108613312789,"sku":"GB0209","price":8500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/bag14402.jpg?v=1692837727"},{"product_id":"a-great-war-submarine-service-dsm-awarded-gb0231","title":"A Great War ‘Submarine Service’ D.s.m. Awarded","description":"to Able Seaman H. E. B. Millen, Royal Navy; Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (J.8236 A.B., H.M. Sub. \"L-12\", 1 July-11 Nov. 1918) contact marks, fine. D.S.M. London Gazette 20 February 1919. ?The following awards have been approved for services in submarines between the 1st July and the 11th November 1918?.Harold Edmund Brett Millen was born in Faversham, Kent, on 2 November 1892. An Errand Boy by occupation, he entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 1 May 1910. Serving on Ganges, he was advanced to Boy 1st Class in November 1910. He was promoted to Ordinary Seaman when based on Hannibal in November 1911 and Able Seaman when on Boadicea in May 1912. He entered the Submarine Service in January 1914. He served on the submarine E.23, August 1916-October 1917, based firstly on Maidstone and then Vulcan. He then served on L.12 from June 1918 until the end of the war based on Lucia. Millen was serving on L.12 when, on 16 October 1918, she torpedoed and sank the German submarine UB.90 which was caught on the surface in the Skagerrack recharging her batteries. For his service in submarines in those final months of the war, he was awarded the D.S.M. Still based on the Lucia, he attained the rank of Leading Seaman in January 1922. Sold with copied service papers.","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46108617212181,"sku":"GB0231","price":2750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/bag15002.jpg?v=1692837739"},{"product_id":"the-awards-of-jr-melrose-anzic-landings-dsm-gb2258","title":"The Awards Of J.r. Melrose - Anzic Landings Dsm","description":"The Awards of J.R. Melrose - Anzic landings DSM - Distinguished Service Medal, George VI (P.O. TEL. J.R. MELROSE. P\/J. 62858); British War and Victory Medals (J. 62858 J. MELROSE. B. TEL. R.N.); Naval General Servce Medal, George VI, 1 Clasp - PALESTINE (J. 62858 J.R. MELROSE. L. TEL. R.N.); 1939-1945 Star; Atlantic Star; Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-1945; Coronation Medal 1953; and Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, George V (J. 62858 J.R. MELROSE. L.TEL. H.M.S. GREENWICH.). Naming is privately engraved on the DSM, while the BWM, VM, NGSM and RNLSGC are officially impressed. Extremely fine condition, board mounted. Also included is a duotang folder with his military biography, an Admiralty DSM commendation letter, a letter from Buckingham Palace authorizing him to wear the Coronation Medal and a photograph of H.M.S. Greenwich. Footnote: James Russell Melrose was born in 1903 in Edinburgh, Scotland and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Telegraphist in 1918 at the age of fifteen. It is unclear as to what ships he served,as that information is still classed as privileged information. The Royal Navy admitted many boys from age fifteen, who served on navy ships in war zones. Time spent as a boy seaman did not count towards the fifteen years required to earn the RNLSGC Medal, which he must have earned in 1935-1936, as a Leading Telegraphist. He earned his NGSM in Palestine, while serving from 1936-1939, as his ship provided men to guard facilities, when the Grand Mufti (Palestinian Arab Leader) forces and the Jewish population were engaged in conflict. During WWII, he saw considerable service in the Atlantic escorting convoys. The Italy Star was for his service after the capture of Pantellaria on June 11, 1943, along with service in Sicily, Italy, Greece and Yugoslavia. He was awarded the DSM on June 30, 1944 by the Admiralty. As there is no citation, his act of gallantry possibly took place at or during the Anzic landings after January 22, 1944. He was listed in the London Gazette on June 8, 1944 as being retired on pension. On the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth on June 2, 1953, he was retired from the Royal Navy and as a civilian, awarded the Coronation Medal.","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46108758638869,"sku":"GB2258","price":2900.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/32_88027945-09c3-468e-b260-1f194cca40be.jpg?v=1692838153"},{"product_id":"a-fine-great-war-submariner-dsm-group-gb1002","title":"A Fine Great War Submariner D.s.m. Group","description":"Distinguished Service Medal, George V (204255. E. HAYDON, P.O. OVERSEA SUBMARINES 1914-6.); 1915-15 Star (204255, E. HAYDON, P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (204255 E. HAYDON. P.O. R.N.); and Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, George V (204255 EDWARD HAYDON, P.O. H.M.S. MAIDSTONE.). Naming is officially impressed on all five. Board mounted, extremely fine. Also included is a duotang folder with his military biography, copy of his service record, articles and nineteen ship photographs. Footnote: Edward Haydon was born on January 13, 1882 at Portsea, Hants, England. He began his career as a Boy Seaman 2nd Class (January 13, 1899) and joined the Royal Navy on April 22, 1899. He later achieved the ranks of Boy Seaman 1st Class (1899), Ordinary Seaman (January 13, 1900), Able Seaman (August 15, 1901), Leading Seaman (May 13, 1906) and Petty Officer (February 24, 1913) before World War I, along with taking four courses: Basic Training Boy Seaman (1899), Seaman Torpedoman (1902), Leading Torpedo Operator (1907) and passed Educationally for Petty Officer (1910). He saw service on a variety of ships and outlets, including: H.M.S. Northampton (1899, Armoured Cruiser), Calliope (1899, Screw Corvette), Victory (1899, Shore Base), Raven (1899, Gunboat), Duke of Wellington (1900, Training Hulk), Trafalgar (1900, Turret Battleship), St. George (1900, Cruiser), Excellent (1901, Shore Base), Vernon (1902, Torpedo School), Duke of Wellington again (1903), Tauranga (1903, Cruiser), Wallaroo (1904, Cruiser), Powerful (1906, Cruiser), Katooma (1906, Cruiser), Vernon again (1906), Victory again (1907), Isis (1908, Cruiser), Indefatigable (1908, Cruiser), Vernon again (1910), Mercury (1910, Submarine Depot), Arragant (1911, Submarine Depot), Dolphin (1912, Submarine Depot) and Maidstone (1913, Submarine Depot). During the period, August 1914 to October 1915 aboard Maidstone, he served with the Eighth Oversea Submarine Flotilla ('D' \u0026amp; 'E' Class Boats) based at Harwich, under the direct command of Commodore (Submarines) Roger Keyes. During service in 'E' Boats, Haydon was present in various actions in the Heligoland Bight and later the Baltic. Unfortunately, Haydon's service papers only list the depot ships to which he was attached during the Great War, including continued service from pre-war on H.M.S. Maidstone (1913), Lucia (1916, Submarine Depot) and Dolphin (1917, Submarine Depot). However, the London Gazette of January 1, 1917 lists him as being awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, \"in recognition of his services in Submarines in enemy waters during the period since the commencement of hostilities to 3rd Aug 1916.\" In that same list are the names of Ldg. Telegraphist A.T. Sibthorpe and Ldg. Sea. B.C. Litchfield. It is known that these two men served on the submarine H.M.S. E 6, under Lieutenant Commander Cecil P. Talbot. Under Talbot, the E 6 had two very successful patrols in which on the last patrol, a German destroyer was sunk. For his efforts, Talbot was awarded the DSM. Usually, at the same time, some members of the crew on these patrols would have also received a decoration or were Mentioned in Despatches. At that early stage of the war, with new submarines coming into service almost on a daily basis, it was customary for as many men as possible to get some service on patrols. This would enable new crews to go to sea with some new crew having had some earlier experience. As a result, the crew of a submarine was changing from patrol to patrol. As he E 6 was lost on December 26, 1915, after striking a mine, none of the aforementioned men were lost on her. It is also interesting to note that, in those lost on that day, some had also been part of the original crew. Near the end of the war, he qualified as a Torpedo Gunners Mate (January 7, 1918). He achieved the rank of Chief Petty Officer post-war (May 1, 1920) and finished his service with H.M.S. Columbine (1920, Shore Base) and Vernon (1921, Torpedo School), before retiring and being released to pension on January 19, 1922 and being transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve. (BGR244)","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46108769911061,"sku":"GB1002","price":3300.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/bgr244a.jpg?v=1692838182"},{"product_id":"fine-first-war-dsm-group-to-telegraphist-of-sub-e6-gb1003","title":"Fine First War Dsm Group To Telegraphist Of Sub E6","description":"Distinguished Service Medal, George V (J. 7280. S.T. SIBTHORPE, LG. TEL. OVERSEA SUBMARINES 1914-6.); 1914-15 Star (J. 7280, A.T. SIBTHORPE, L. TEL., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J. 7280 A.T. SIBTHORPE. P.O. TEL. R.N.). Naming is officially impressed on all four. Board mounted, extremely fine. Also included is a duotang folder with his military biography, related articles, group photograph and twelve ship photographs. Footnote: Albert Thomas Sibthorpe was born on August 8, 1893 at Bethnel Green. He joined the Royal Navy on February 12, 1910 as a Boy Seaman 2nd Class with the Training Hulk H.M.S. Impregnable. He later achieved the ranks of Ordinary Telegraphist (August 8, 1911) and Telegraphist (March 5, 1912). His pre-war service saw him with H.M.S. Neptune (1911, Battleship), Superb (1912, Battleship), Victory (1912, Shore Base at Portsmouth), Grafton (1912, Cruiser), Dido (1913, Cruiser), Duncan (1913, Cruiser), Dolphin (1913, Shore Base), Maidstone (1913, Depot Ship) and E 6 (1913, Submarine). He joined submarines with Dolphin and later gained two additional ranks during the Great War: Leading Telegraphist (November 21, 1914) and Petty Officer Telegraphist (June 28, 1917). While posted to E 6, he was commanded by Lieutenant Commander Cecil P. Talbot. The first wartime patrol of the E 6, although not fortunate enough in the sinking of enemy shiips, was able to bring back much useful information, for which Talbot was commended. On a later patrol, Talbot sank a German destroyer for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. At the same time, some men on the E 6 were awarded the DSM, including Sibthorpe. These awards were announced in the London Gazette of January 1, 1917. Prior to this, the E 6 was sunk when she struck a mine. From the casulty list, twenty-eight men lost their lives, none of which were officers. The 'E' Class submarine usually carried a crew of three officers and twenty-eight men, inferring that the E 6 was on the surface when striking the mine. The officers, on the bridge at the time, were rescued. Sibthorpe was not with the E 6 then and would have been a \"spare crew\", resting on the Depot Ship H.M.S. Adamant, the base ship of the 8th Submarine Flotilla at Harwich. On August 10, 1918, Sibthorpe was posted to H.M.S. G 10, under the command of Lieutenant Bennet, which was in the 10th Submarine Flotilla based on the Depot Ship H.M.S. Titania at Blyth, finishing the remainder of his World War I service. Post-war, he was with H.M.S. Victory (1919, Shore Base at Portsmouth), then General Service with H.M.S. Colombo (1922, Cruiser) and later drafted by H.M.S. Vindictive (1922, Cruiser). He was returned to H.M.S. Victory on January 28, 1923 before being discharged from the Royal Navy on February 10, 1923 at Portsmouth. In addition to the four medals, he was awarded the Good Conduct Badge (September 12, 1914) and a Second Good Conduct Badge (August 6, 1919), neither of which are included here.(BGR245)","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46108770074901,"sku":"GB1003","price":3000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/bgr245a.jpg?v=1692838182"},{"product_id":"dsm-for-the-sinking-of-the-junyo-maru-dutch-pow-gb1011","title":"Dsm For The Sinking Of The Junyo Maru - Dutch Pow","description":"Distinguished Service Medal, George VI (A\/C.P.O., J. WALSH, D\/SSX. 16371); Naval General Service Medal, George VI, 1 Clasp - PALESTINE 1936-1939 (SSX. 16371 J. WALSH. A.B. R.N.); 1939-1945 Star; Atlantic Star; Burma Star; Defence Medal; and War Medal 1939-1945. Naming is engraved on DSM and impressed on the NGSM. Board mounted, near extremely fine. Also included is a duotang folder with his extensive military biography, copies of his Service Records, a Torpedo Coxswain's Badge, plus four sailor and five ship photographs. Footnote: James Walsh was born on May 27, 1915 in Ireland, later moving to Liverpool. He joined the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman on June 6, 1935, later achiving the rank of Able Seaman on November 4, 1936, along with qualifying as a Seaman Torpedoman. He was awarded the NGSM with Palestine 1936-1939 Clasp, aiding civil authorities during the unrest, as he was serving in the Mediterranean during this period. Walsh joined submarines on May 13, 1940 at the Submarine Depot H.M.S. Dolphin for training, as Torpedo Coxswain. Upon completion of his Submarine Training Course, he was drafted to the Submarine Depot Ship H.M.S. Cyclops, 3rd Submarine Flotilla at Dundee for Submarine H.M.S. Seawolf on August 1, 1940. He did several patrols off the Norwegian coast. He returned to spare crew and was later drafted to the Submarine H.M.S. Thorn on July 28, 1941. He would have done a patrol or two, until he was transferred to H.M.S. St. Angelo, the naval base at Malta, on October 10, 1941. Walsh was advanced to Leading Seaman on August 1, 1942 and then appointed to H.M.S. Umbra for Submarine P 35 on August 27, 1942, seeing an additional advancement in rank to Petty Officer on September 9, 1942. His commander was Lieutenant Lynch Mayden, who won a DSO for his efforts in the Mediterranean. Walsh returned to England for additional training at H.M.S. Dolphin on March 28, 1943, later joining H.M.S. Tradewind, along with Mayden on July 7, 1943. He was raised in rank the following day, to Acting Chief Petty Officer. The Tradewind did one patrol in home waters, then left for Ceylon and the war in the Pacific theatre. Outside of several routine patrols, her greatest success was the sinking of the Junyo Maru, a transport ship. It was later determined, that in addition to its crew, the Junyo Maru was carrying some 2,500 Allied (mainly Dutch) Prisoners of War, along with 4,000 military workers from Java to Padang (Sumatra) destined to work on railway construction. Of these, it is estimated that only 250 survived the torpedo attack and the subsequent treatment by the Japanese Army. She was later posted to Freemantle in Australia. Several more patrols were made in the Pacific Ocean with mixed results and in all, the Tradewind made nine patrols. For his services, likely in the Junyo Maru affair, Walsh was awarded the DSM and was cited in the London Gazette \"for outstanding courage, skill and devotion to duty in successful patrols in one of HM Submarines\", on February 27, 1945. After returning home, he offended the Royal Navy in some way and was dis-rated to Petty Officer on October 8, 1945. He reverted to General Service with a draft to H.M.S. Drake, the Royal Naval Barracks at Devonport, on October 29, 1945. According to J.V. Parsons, who also served on H.M.S. Tradewind, James \"Jim\" Walsh, as Quartermaster Torpedo Coxswain, was known as the \"Grocer\". (BGR253)","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46108771942677,"sku":"GB1011","price":4000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/bgr253a.jpg?v=1692838186"},{"product_id":"dsm-for-submarine-action-during-operation-husky-gb1029","title":"Dsm For Submarine Action During Operation Husky","description":"Distinguished Service Medal, George VI (J. 105751 G.W.C. Bailey. P.O.); 1939-1945 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 Clasp - NORTH AFRICA 1942-43; Italy Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-1945; and Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, George VI (J. 105751 G.W.C. BAILEY. P.O. H.M.S. MEDWAY.). Naming is officially impressed on the two medals indicated. Board mounted, original ribbons, better than extremely fine. Also included is a duotang folder with his military biography, a copy of his Service Record, plus one sailor and twelve ship photographs. Footnote: Walter Claud Bailey was born on July 28, 1906 and joined the Royal Navy on July 28, 1924, his eighteenth birthday. He was rated up to Able Seaman on October 5, 1925. He joined submarines on Septemebr 1, 1930 and went to H.M.S. Dolphin in January 1931 for Submarine Training. His first submarine was H.M.S. Otus in May 1931 and was there until January 1934, attached to H.M.S. Medway. Before his next posting, he achieved the rank of Acting Leading Seaman on March 24, 1934. Beginning in June 1934 until February 1934, he saw service with H.M.S. H 49, later, with H.M.S. Swordfish, from February 1935 to March 1936, both attached to H.M.S. Titania. He then took a course for Leading Torpedo Operator from March to April 1936. He was then drafted by H.M.S. Lucia for service on H.M.S. Porpoise from July 1936 to February 1937 and later, H.M.S. Starfish, from April 1937 to May 1937. In between serving on the two subs he achieved the rank of Petty Officer on March 6, 1937. He completed his pre-war service with H.M.S. Pandora, attached to H.M.S. Medway, from April 1938 to January 1939. He then returned to Otus on May 20, 1939. At the outbreak of the Second World War, he was stationed at Singapore with the 8th Submarine Flotilla. She then moved on to Colombo, Ceylon, where she went on patrols in the Indian Ocean, looking for the German Pocket Battleship Graf Spee, which was believed to be operating there after she sank a ship off Madagascar. The Otus and Rorqual were then sent to the Mediterranean based on the Depot Ship H.M.S. Medway at Alexandra, Egypt. He received his RNLSGC Medal in May 1940 while on the Medway. Tragically, the Medway was torpedoed and sunk off Alexandria by U 372 on June 30, 1940. By this time, Bailey was on already on the Rorqual for one month, escaping a terible fate. The Rorqual was on mine-laying operations, with one of her mines sinking a 4,000 ton Italian vessel. He then switched to H.M.S. Umbra (P 35), shortly after earning his Torpedo Gunners Mate rating at H.M.S. Vernon. During the war, it was the smaller U Class Submarines in the Mediterranean that hunted from Malta in the shallow waters off the North African coast and during the period between January and May of 1941, accounting for 16 of the 31 Axis vessels sunk, while attempting to supply Rommel's army in North Africa. During the period when Bailey was on the Umbra, her skipper, Lieutenant \"Lynch\" Mayden sank a 1,010 ton ship off Tripolitania. He was dis-rated to Leading Seaman on October 10, 1941, following up with the taking of a course in Mines, Mark II on November 1, 1941. Bailey's next ship was H.M.S. Unison (P 43), which he joined on December 30, 1941, later achieving the rank of Petty Officer (Temporary) on October 10, 1942. At the time of Operation Torch, November 7-8, 1942, when the Allies landed in North Africa, Unison was with the 10th Submarine Flotilla base at Malta, one of the submarines detailed to prevent enemy warships from interupting the landings. Following Operation Torch, Unison damaged and was believed to have sunk a large enemy vessel at night off Marittimo. Unison was very productive in the sinking of enemy vessels. February 6, 1943 saw her surfacing and sink by gunfire, three large motor barges off Hammamet. March 31 saw the Unison sinking the 1,833 ton Italian tanker Zeila with just one torpedo, while April 19 saw her sink the new Italian ship Marco Foscarina. She was also very prominent in recce work. Unison had carried out work with Chariots, which were two man submersibles, which carried a limpet mine. Early January 1943 saw her recover a Chariot crew, which had taken part in the very successful attack on the harbour of Palermo, in which the new Italian Regolo Class Cruiser Ulpio Traiano was sunk. In May and April, she again carried Chariots for recce work. During Operation Husky on July 10, 1943, Unison was one of the beacon submarines that marked the beaches on the south-east coast of Sicily for the Allied landing force. It was during Operation Husky that Bailey was given an immediate award of the Distinguished Service Medal, after fourteen patrols in the Unison. He left Unison in June 1943 and accepted passage on H.M.S. Unbroken for England. Unison left later and both submarines were turned over to the Russian Navy in 1944 until the end of the war. From October 1943 until the end of the war, Bailey served as a Torpedo Instructor at H.M.S. Enfin, the Naval Base at Blythe for submarines. He saw his final rank of Chief Petty Officer reached on April 14, 1945 and was discharged from the Royal Navy on October 1, 1946. (BGR264)","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46108779839765,"sku":"GB1029","price":4200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/bgr264.jpg?v=1692838201"},{"product_id":"a-great-war-anti-u-boat-operations-dsm-group-gb1301","title":"A Great War Anti-U-Boat Operations D.s.m. Group","description":"A Great War anti-U-boat operations D.S.M. awarded to Engineman P. Champ, Royal Naval Reserve Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (TS. 2514 P. Champ, Engn., R.N.R., Majesty, North Sea, 24 Nov. 1917); 1914-15 Star (TS. 2514 P. Champ, Tr. Ck., R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (2514 T.S. P. Champ, Engn., R.N.R.), the last with officially re-impressed naming, very fine and better. Footnote: D.S.M. London Gazette 22 February 1918: For services in action with enemy submarines. Percy Champ, who was born in Halstow, Kent, in March 1895, joined the Royal Naval Reserve as a Trimmer in March 1915. Having then served at the Ramsgate Auxiliary Patrol base Ceto until July 1917, he removed in the rate of Engineman to H.M. Drifter Majesty, which, in company with another drifter and the destroyer H.M.S. Gipsy, engaged and destroyed the German submarine U-48, which had run aground on the Goodwin Sands. Keble Chattertons Beating the U-Boats takes up the story: Perhaps one of the most pleasing (to us) incidents of the last war took place on 24 November 1917, but it really begins on 21 November when U-48 left Wilhelmshaven bound for the Irish coast via the Dover Straits. This story is one more illustration of the bad pilotage and seamanship that gradually deteriorated Germanys personnel. Had she already used up most of the better-grade material; or was carelessness becoming marked beyond all belief? On the afternoon of the 23rd, 60 miles east of Dover, U-48 began her mournful adventures when she was concealing herself below water so as to sit on the bottom till nightfall. She would resume her passage through the Dover Straits, but one of our aeroplanes exploded a bomb too near for her pleasure; and about 7.30 that night U-48 was motoring along the surface heading for the Straits when apparently Buch (her commanding officer) lost his navigational way, and being too far west fouled the old net barrage near the North Goodwins. Portions still were festooned along the propellers, her oil engines began to give trouble, and even on the surface she was compelled to use her electric motors. It was an anxious night. But at 3 a.m. U-48 gave a sudden bump and brought up all standing at the N.W. corner of the Goodwins. Had she then made no allowance for the hot tide which carried her on? Not a delightful situation this dark November night, terribly near the Ramsgate base and U-48 making herself a bed in the sands which have swallowed so many vessels up in the past centuries. Although Buch tried lightening her by discharging 60 tons of oil-fuel, his drinking water, three of his torpedoes, and much of his ammunition, trying also to ease her off by working his engines, U-48 still would not could not rise from the bed which she had dug for herself. To make matters worse, tide was ebbing. But when 6.30 a.m. came round again and the two drifters Majesty with Paramount were sweeping the War Channel at twilight just before daybreak about 1.5 miles N.E. of the Gull Lightship, the submarine had become sighted. She was fired on by one of our trawlers, by the drifters, and H.M. Destroyer Gipsy. Like a pack of hounds these little ships leapt after U-48. Suddenly they concentrated their fire. H.M. Drifter Feasible got so near the sands that she kept a couple of hands working the lead. Blazing away with their 6-pounders, 3-pounders and the rat-tat of the Maxims to which the German replied with her 4.1-inch shells, the fight was eagerly brightening up and the Gipsys 12-pounder was helping matters. German shells were falling all round the drifters. But the submarine received 13 hits and after 15 minutes was seen to be on fire forward. The Hun crew leapt overboard, the submarine blew up and there were rescued merely one officer and 21 men of the 43. It was a fine little show in which these fishermen cared nothing except to fire their guns. Wind and sea were rising, but the engineers off watch were keenly handing up ammunition and with this united zeal the small craft won 1000 presented by the Admiralty but likewise robbed the proud Germany of that big U-48 213 feet long. Who would have expected that a handful of wooden fishing craft could make the Huns Navy so ridiculous? Champ was awarded the D.S.M. and was demobilised in March 1919.","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46109900669205,"sku":"GB1301","price":2400.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/bag286.jpg?v=1692842076"},{"product_id":"a-indian-distinguished-service-medal-pair-to-the-109th-infantry-gb3876","title":"A Indian Distinguished Service Medal Pair To The 109Th Infantry","description":"A Indian Distinguished Service Medal Pair to the 109th Infantry - Indian Distinguished Service Medal (SUBDR. KARRAM KHAN, 1\/109\/INFY.); and India General Service Medal, George V, crowned Kaisar-i-Hind, AFGHANISTAN N.W.F. 1919, MAHSUD 1919-20, WAZIRISTAN 1919-21, WAZIRISTAN 1921-24, NORTH WEST FRONTIER 1930-31 (SUBDR. KARAM KHAN, 1\/109\/INFY.). Naming is officially impressed on both. Crisp detail, contact marks, tarnishing on the IDSM, better than fine.","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46110028136725,"sku":"GB3876","price":1800.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/a_indian_disting_53b187dcd2454.jpg?v=1725375417"},{"product_id":"a-wwi-dsm-for-service-on-the-armed-steam-yacht-james-fletcher-gb4509","title":"A Wwi Dsm For Service On The Armed Steam Yacht James Fletcher","description":"A WWI DSM for Service on the Armed Steam Yacht James Fletcher  - Distinguished Service Medal, George V (116282. C. REID. P.O. 1 CL. JAMES FLETCHER. AUX. PAT. 1915-6.); 1914-15 Star (116282, C. REID, P.O. 1., R.N.); British War Medal (116282 C. REID. P.O. 1 R.N.); Victory Medal (116282 C. REID. P.O. 1 R.N.); and Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, Victoria, narrow suspension (CHARLES REID, P.O. 1 CL., H.M.S. PEMBROKE.). Naming is officially impressed on the first four medals, the RNLSGCM is officially re-impressed. Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, cleaned, light contact, very fine. Accompanied by copies of his Service Records and the London Gazette 29668 of Friday July 14, 1916 (noting the award of the DSM to Reid), along with assorted research papers.\n \nFootnote: Charles Reid was born on March 18, 1866 in Miltit, Fermanagh, Ireland. He entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on May 11, 1881, at the age of 15, becoming a Leading Seaman on November 25, 1889 and subsequently, attaining the rank Petty Officer 1st Class on January 23, 1892. He served aboard numerous ships between his entry into the Royal Navy in 1881 and his transfer to the Royal Fleet Reserve in March 1904, including: Impregnable, Agincourt, Royal Adelaide, Raleigh, Indus, Cambridge, Defiance, Undaunted, Pembroke, Amphion, Empress of India, Curacao and Cleopatra. For his long service in the Royal Navy, he was awarded the Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in September 1894. Upon the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, Reid was recalled for service, at the age of 48, aboard the armed steam yacht James Fletcher from January 1915 until the end of the First World War, a period that witnessed a good deal of work alongside monitors and drifters in bombardments off Dunkirk and Zeebrugge, particularly in the autumn of 1915. However, it was for the vessel's U-Boat ramming claim, in early 1916, that Reid most likely received his Distinguished Service Medal, in the capacity of Coxswain. His award of the DSM was announced in the London Gazette 29668 of Friday July 14, 1916 on the same date, page 7066: \"Petty Officer, 1st Class, Charles Reid, O.N. 116282; (R.F.R. Dev\/A.1280)\", mentioned as follows: \"The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have received with much satisfaction from the officers in charge of the Auxiliary Patrol areas at home and abroad reports on the services performed by officers and men serving under their orders during the period 1 January 1915 to 31 January 1916. These reports show that the officers and men serving in Armed Yachts, Trawlers and Drifters of the Auxiliary Patrol during the period in question have carried out their duties under extremely hazardous conditions of weather and exposure to enemy attack and mines with marked zeal, gallantry and success.\" His skipper, Commander E.L.B. Boothby, received a Distinguished Service Order on the same occasion: \"Early in January 1916, the James Fletcher had a stroke of good luck. When patrolling at night off the South Goodwin she rammed an enemy submarine, which was travelling at a good speed on the surface, apparently steering about west. She struck her two distinct blows separated by a grating noise along the side of the ship of about two seconds’ duration. The submarine was first struck a slanting blow just abaft her conning-tower, fairly hard. The second blow struck her very hard on her tail frame, practically stopping all the way on the James Fletcher. The James Fletcher claimed that the enemy vessel must have been filled and sunk, as her hatches were open and men were on the deck; the officer of the watch reported that he distinctly heard voices talking, and saw the submarine was only about ten yards off on his starboard bow, and when hit she heeled over to a considerable angle. The James Fletcher was examined on the mud subsequent to this, and various indications of a recent collision were found below the waterline. The James Fletcher received the usual reward for the destruction of this submarine.\" Reid was present at another serious U-Boat encounter off Dover in August 1918, when the James Fletcher and the drifter J. Burn delivered a devastating depth-charge attack against famous ace Kapitain-Leutnant Hundius in UB-103. It has been written, that he was so badly shaken by the impact of these \"wasser boms\", that it caused him to sail into a minefield a month later, rather than risk another depth-charging from some circling drifters. For his First World War service, Reid was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal.\n ","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46110119231765,"sku":"GB4509","price":3185.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/img_03_4f46da37-d20e-4d9a-a348-9fd3fdcfa43a.jpg?v=1692844152"},{"product_id":"a-rare-wwi-graton-naval-base-dsm-group-gb2976","title":"A Rare Wwi Graton Naval Base \u0026 D.s.m. Group","description":"A Rare WWI Graton Naval Base \u0026amp; D.S.M. Group - Distinguished Service Medal, George V (E.S.1206. G. PHIMISTER, ENGN. R.N.R. ISABELLA FOWLIE. AUX. PATROL. 1915-6.); 1914-15 Star (E.S.1206. G.P. PHIMISTER, ENGN., R.N.R.); British War Medal (1206.ES G. PHIMISTER. ENGN. R.N.R.); Victory Medal (1206.ES G. PHIMISTER. ENGN. R.N.R.); and Granton Naval Base Medal for Zeal (silver, maker marked \"HB\u0026amp;S\", marked with the British lion, and anchor (made in Birmingham), date marked \"q\" (1915) and engraved \"G. PHIMISTER A\/T. IS. FOWLIE C.E. GRANTON NAVAL BASE\" on the reverse, 31 mm). Naming is officially impressed on the first four medals. Court-mounted, with swing bar pinback, as worn by the veteran, lightly soiled original ribbons, blue felt partially torn off the reverse from previous board mounting, extremely fine.Footnote: Engineman George Phimister was awarded his Distinguished Service Medal, as cited in the London Gazette 7066 on July 14, 1916. \"The Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty have received with much satisfaction from the officers in charge of the Auxiliary Patrol areas at home and abroad reports on the services performed by the officers and men serving under their orders during the period 1st January, 1915, to 31st January, 1916. These reports show that the officers and men serving in Armed Yachts, Trawlers and Drifters of the Auxiliary Patrol during the period in question have carried out their duties under extremely arduous and hazardous conditions of weather and exposure to enemy attack and mines with marked zeal, gallantry and success.\"  The Isabella Fowlie was a hired trawler, built in 1911 and was in service as of November 14, 1919 as a minesweeper, out of Granton Naval Base in Edinburgh, Scotland. (C:7)","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46110580670741,"sku":"GB2976","price":1750.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/img_4605_copy_f50edab3-de1b-4416-975e-067261da963a.jpg?v=1692847593"},{"product_id":"a-1918-merchant-marine-awarded-dsm-for-enemy-torpedo-attack-gb4353","title":"A 1918 Merchant Marine Awarded Dsm For Enemy Torpedo Attack","description":"A 1918 Merchant Marine Awarded DSM for Enemy Torpedo Attack - GVR (D. Mc K. SHANNON, BOS'N. M.M. ATLANTIC OCEAN. 25.-26. MAY. 1918.). Naming is officially impressed in large capitals. Contact marks, edge nicks, bruised, near very fine. Accompanied by his Index Card, Mercantile Marine Awards Committee Minutes, a Report from the Senior Naval Officer (at His Majesty's Naval Base at Berehaven, County Cork, Ireland) and assorted research papers.\n \nFootnote: David McKay Shannon was born on February 18, 1879 in Larne, Ireland. Boatswain Shannon was specially commended by his ships Master, William James Campbell, after a protracted duel with a U-Boat, in which his ship, the S.S. Rathlin Head, was hit four times by torpedoes, as they were in transit from Swansea to New Orleans. The attack on the Rathlin Head was described in the Report of the Interviewing Officer with Campbell: \"The Master of S.S. \"Rathlin Head\" complied with instructions given him by Admiralty and S.O. Convoy and did everything in his power to avoid capture. - Zigzagging at full speed and firing guns at intervals after first attack evidently prevented the submarine from successfully attacking during the night. The Master decided to abandon ship after the second attack next morning. Ship had considerable list to port having received four torpedoes - 2 in Chain Locker and No. 1 Hold and No. 2 in Stoke-hold and bunkers. Ship was in grave peril of turning turtle. Crew took to their boats an hour after last torpedo struck ship and stood by for rescuing ships seen in the distance. The Master and part of crew eventually reboarded their ship and secured tow-ropes and ship was towed into port.\" The first attack took place on May 25, 1918 at 49 degrees 42 minutes N. \/ 11 degrees 30 minutes W., while the second attack took place on May 26, 1918 at 50 degrees 20 minutes N. \/ 10 degrees 45 minutes W. The minutes of the Mercantile Marine Awards Committee describes the attacks in detail: \"At 3.45 pm (May 25, 1918), the S.S. Rathlin Head was attacked by two torpedoes from a S\/M (enemy submarine). The ship was zig-zagging at the time. The weather was fine. The torpedoes struck the ship near the foremost bulk-head of No. 1 hold. At 4. pm. the ship was attacked by a third torpedo, which passed 100 feet ahead of her. Fire was opened from the Howitzers at the supposed position of the S\/M, 8 rounds being fired, and the ship's course altered to port, but the propellers came out of the water and she lost her way. The enemy was then taken on her port quarter, No. 6 hold was flooded and in consequence the propellers again took water at 4.30 pm. and the ship got under way slowly, doing about 3 knots to start with, which increased to 5 or 6 as her stern settled down. A course was set for Fastnet. (Ireland) She was yawning badly but did not zig-zag. At 5.30 pm. a S\/M was sighted at a distance of 7 miles, 1 point on the port quarter and fire was opened from the 4.7\" gun. At 7.25 am. on 26th May, the ship was attacked by two torpedoes which exploded in the Stokehold and cross bunker. 2 rounds from the Howitzers were fired in the direction of the wake of the torpedoes. The ship took a heavy list to port and her engines were rendered useless. She was then left by the crew. Nothing was seen of the S\/M at this time. The U.S.S. \"McCall\" arrived within the hour and proceeded to search for the S\/M. While doing so she was attacked unsuccessfully by two torpedoes. The rescue tug \"Cartmell\" arrived about 9 am. The Master, Chief Officer, Chief Engineer and others then reboarded the ship and made an inspection. Soon afterwards, the \"McCall\" was attacked again by 2 torpedoes and proceeded to drop depth charges. The rescue tug \"Flying Spray\" then arrived and ship (Rathlin Head) was taken in tow. She was beached in safety at Berehaven (His Majesty's Naval Base at Berehaven, County Cork, Ireland) late on the night of 27th May. 3 Firemen were killed by the second explosion and 1 injured. The Master specially recommends David McShannon, Boatswain \"for coolness and general conduct during the action.\"\" Shannon was awarded his Distinguished Service Medal, \"in recognition of zeal and devotion to duty in carrying on the trade of the country during the war.\", as mentioned in the Second Supplement to the London Gazette 30833 of Tuesday, August 6, 1918, on Wednesday, August 7, 1918, page 9339. \n ","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46112247709973,"sku":"GB4353","price":1375.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/img_02_93629847-4b38-4ef7-a30a-714dacdd009d.jpg?v=1692851135"},{"product_id":"a-rare-dsm-to-2nd-class-sick-berth-abrahams-for-royal-navy-siege-guns-in-flanders-c4474","title":"A Rare Dsm To 2Nd Class Sick Berth Abrahams For Royal Navy Siege Guns In Flanders","description":"\u003cp\u003eTo 2nd Class Sick Berth Steward Arthur Clarence Abrahams for services with the Royal Navy Siege Guns in Flanders (France): George V (351689. A.C. ABRAHAMS, 2nd S.B.S. R.N. SIEGE GUNS. FLANDERS. 1917.). Naming is officially impressed. Replacement ribbon, very light contact, extremely fine. Accompanied by copies of his Service Records, Medal Awards List for the Distinguished Service Medal and the First World War Trio, along with the announcement of his DSM in the London Gazette.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFootnote: Arthur Clarence Abrahams was born on August 19, 1886 in Kensington, London, England. He was employed as a Clerk when he enlisted for twelve years' service with the Royal Navy, on August 14, 1907, five days shy of his twenty-first birthday. After his initial training at Victory I in Portsmouth, he was posted five days later to the Royal Hospital Haslar in Gosport, Hampshire, which was one of several hospitals serving the Portsmouth area. After seven months with Haslar, he return to Victory I on March 31, 1908 and was also confirmed as a Senior Reserve Attendant on the 31st. Abrahams was subsequently posted to Malta Hospital, a stint that would last more than twenty-five months, from October 7, 1910 to November 25, 1912 and it was during his posting at Malta Hospital, that he qualified as a 2nd Class Sick Berth Steward on April 1, 1911. He was posted to the Eclipse-class protected cruiser HMS Talbot for one week, from November 26, 1912 to December 4, 1912, before returning to Victory I. After forty-four months at Victory I, he was posted to the Adventure-class scout cruiser HMS Attentive on August 16, 1916. It was while he was attached to HMS Attentive, that 2nd Class Sick Berth Steward Arthur Clarence Abrahams was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for services with the Royal Navy Siege Guns in Flanders (France) in 1917, the announcement appearing in the Second Supplement to the London Gazette 30581 of Friday, March 15, 1918, on Saturday, March 16, 1918, page 3396 and in the Edinburgh Gazette of Tuesday, March 19, 1918, page 1059. The medal was delivered to him on April 16, 1918 at Dover. After twenty-nine months with HMS Attentive, he returning to Victory I on January 31, 1919 and was discharged from service on June 24, 1920. For his First World War service, 2nd Class Sick Berth Steward Arthur Clarence Abrahams was awarded the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal. (C:64)\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46119110508821,"sku":"C4474","price":900.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/d_7810.jpg?v=1692864835"},{"product_id":"united-kingdom-a-distinguished-service-medal-to-wartime-engineman-samuel-thomas-aston-gb6522","title":"United Kingdom. A Distinguished Service Medal, To Wartime Engineman Samuel Thomas Aston","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eGreat Britain; George VI, Indiae Imp. type (WARTIME ENGMN. S.T. ASTON. LT\/KX.116112). Naming is engraved in capitals. Original ribbon, light contact, near extremely fine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFootnote: Wartime Engineman Samuel Thomas Aston LT\/KX.116112 (Cleethorpes) was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for service during the Second World War, the announcement appearing in the Supplement to the London Gazette 37119 of Friday, June 8, 1945, on Thursday, June 14, 1945, page 2972. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46123797872917,"sku":"GB6522","price":1620.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/c18-013677.jpg?v=1692876135"},{"product_id":"united-kingdom-a-distinguished-service-medal-george-vi-w7364","title":"United Kingdom. A Distinguished Service Medal, George Vi","description":"\u003cp\u003eGeorge VI, Type I with INDIAE IMP (1938-1949). In silver, measuring 36.2 mm in diameter, contact marks, edge nicks, bruised, replacement ribbon, very fine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFootnote: The Distinguished Service Medal was instituted on October 14, 1914 and is awarded to other ranks of the Royal Navy or Royal Marines for distinguished conduct in the face of the enemy, the recipient entitled to use the post-nominal letters \"DSM\".\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46133640724757,"sku":"W7364","price":200.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/l22_mnc6932_336.jpg?v=1692905757"},{"product_id":"united-kingdom-an-indian-distinguished-service-group-to-the-126th-baluchistan-infantry-gb4219rl2","title":"United Kingdom. An Indian Distinguished Service Group To The 126Th Baluchistan Infantry","description":"An Indian Distinguished Service Group to the 126th Baluchistan Infantry - Indian Distinguished Service Medal, George V Kaisar-I-Hind (3676 NAIK AHMED DIN, 126\/ BALUCHISTAN INFY.); British War Medal (3674 L-HAVR. AHMED DIN, 126 BAL. INFY.); and General Service Medal 1918-1962, GRV, 1 Clasp - KURDISTAN (3674 NAIK AHMAD DIN. 126-INFANTRY.). Naming is officially impressed, surname spelled \"Ahmed\" on the IDSM and BWM versus \"Ahmad\" on the GSM. Mounted to a suspension with swing bar pinback, dark patinas on the latter two medals, bruising and contact marks evident on all three, very fine.","brand":"eMedals","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46134640771349,"sku":"GB4219.RL2","price":1350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0713\/9105\/2053\/files\/an_indian_distin_542b175bed323_1_1.jpg?v=1692907950"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.emedals.com\/collections\/europe-great-britain-groups-single-decorations-for-gallantry-distinguished-service-medal.oembed","provider":"eMedals","version":"1.0","type":"link"}