The London
Gazette 16
August 1915 (continued)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officers and men
for the conspicuous acts, of bravery mentioned in the foregoing despatch: —
Commander
Edward Unwin, R.N.
Midshipman Wilfred St. Aubyn Malleson, R.N.
Midshipman
George Leslie Drewry,
R.N.R.
Able Seaman
William Chas. Williams, O.N. 186774 (R.F.R. B.3766) (since killed).
Seaman R.N.R. George McKenzie Samson, O.N. 2408A.
25 April
1915 - Sub Lieutenant Arthur TISDALL RNR,
Anson Battalion RN Division, Gallipoli
The London
Gazette, 31
March 1916 (from the Admiralty)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officer in
recognition of his most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty:—
Sub-Lieutenant
Arthur Waldene St. Clair Tisdall, R.N.V.R. (killed in action)
(left (DH)).
During the
landing from the S.S. River Clyde at V Beach in the Gallipoli
Peninsula
on the 25th
April, 1915, Sub-Lieutenant Tisdall, hearing wounded men on the beach calling
for assistance, jumped into the water and, pushing a boat in front of him, went
to their rescue. He was, however, obliged to obtain help, and took with him on
two trips Leading Seaman Malia
and on other trips Chief Petty Officer Perring
and Leading Seamen Curtiss
and Parkinson. In all Sub Lieutenant Tisdall
made four or five trips between the ship and the shore, and was thus
responsible for rescuing several wounded men under heavy and accurate fire.
Owing to the
fact that Sub-Lieutenant Tisdall
and the platoon under his orders were on detached service at the time, and that
this Officer was killed in action on the 6th May, it has only now been possible
to obtain complete information as to the individuals who took part in this
gallant act. Of these, Leading Seaman Fred Curtiss, O.N.
Dev. 1899. has
been missing since the
4th June, 1915.
The
following awards have also been approved: —-
To receive
the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal
Chief Petty
Officer (now Sub Lieutenant) William Henry Perring, R.N.V.R.
Leading Seaman James Malia,
K.P. 760.
Leading
Seaman James Parkinson, K.P. 9 (rest of number indecipherable)
30 April-1 May 1915 - Lance Corporal Walter PARKER RMLI,
Gallipoli
The London
Gazette 22
June 1917 (from the Admiralty, S.W.1)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned : —
Lce.-Corpl. Walter
Richard Parker R.M.L.I., No. Po./S.
229, Royal Naval Division (left (DH)).
In
recognition of his most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in the course
of
the Dardanelles operations.
On the night
of 30th April/1st May,
1915, a, message asking for ammunition, water and
medical stores was received from an isolated fire trench at Gaba Tepe.
A party of
Non-commissioned Officers and men were detailed to carry water and ammunition,
and, in response to a call for a volunteer from among the stretcher bearers,
Parker at once came forward; he had during the previous three days displayed
conspicuous bravery and energy under fire whilst in charge of the Battalion
stretcher bearers.
Several men
had already been killed in a previous attempt to bring assistance to the men
holding the fire trench. To reach this trench it was necessary to traverse an
area at least four hundred yards wide, which was completely exposed and swept
by rifle fire. It was already daylight when the party emerged from shelter and
at once one of the men was wounded: Parker organised a stretcher party and then going on alone
succeeded in reaching the fire trench, all the water and ammunition carriers
being either killed or wounded.
After his
arrival he rendered assistance to the wounded in the trench, displaying extreme
courage and remaining cool and collected in very trying circumstances. The
trench had finally to be evacuated and Parker helped to remove and attend the
wounded, although he himself was seriously wounded during, this operation.
April-May 1915 - Lieutenant Commander Edward BOYLE
RN, commanding officer HM submarine E.14 (above, with Cdr
Boyle on deck (DG))
The London
Gazette 21 May 1915 (from the Admiralty)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to
Lieutenant-Commander Edward Courtney Boyle, Royal Navy (left (DH)), for
the conspicuous act of bravery specified below:
For most
conspicuous bravery, in command of Submarine E. 14, when he dived his vessel
under the enemy minefields and entered the Sea of Marmora on the 27th April,
1915. In spite of great navigational difficulties from strong currents, of the
continual neighbourhood of
hostile patrols, and of the hourly danger of attack from the enemy, he
continued to operate in the narrow waters of the Straits and succeeded in
sinking two Turkish gunboats and one large military transport.
The KING has
further been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished
Service Cross to the undermentioned
Officers of Submarine E. 14: —
Lieutenant
Edward Geldard Stanley,
Royal Navy.
Acting Lieutenant Reginald Wilfred Lawrence, Royal
Naval Reserve.
Approval has
also been given for the award of the Distinguished Service Medal to each member
of the crew of E. 14.
May 1915 - Lieutenant Commander Martin NASMITH RN,
commanding officer, HM Submarine E.11 (above - early sister-boat E.1 (NP))
The London
Gazette 25
June 1915 (from the Admiralty)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to
Lieutenant-Commander Martin Eric Nasmith,
Royal Navy (left (DH)), for the conspicuous bravery specified below: —
For most conspicuous bravery in
command of one of His Majesty's Submarines while operating in the Sea
of Marmora. In the face of great danger he
succeeded in destroying one large Turkish gunboat, two transports, one
ammunition ship and three storeships,
in addition to driving one storeship ashore. When he
had safely passed the most difficult part of his homeward journey he returned
again to torpedo a Turkish transport.
The KING has
further been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Distinguished
Service Cross to the undermentioned
Officers of the same Submarine: —
Lieutenant
Guy D'Oyly-Hughes, Royal
Navy.
Acting Lieutenant Robert Brown, Royal Naval Reserve.
Approval has
also been given for the award of the Distinguished Service Medal to each member
of the crew.
6/7 June 1915 - Flight Sub Lieutenant Reginald
WARNEFORD RNAS, No. 1 Sq. RNAS Belgium
The London
Gazette 11
June 1915 (from the Admiralty)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to Flight
Sub-Lieutenant Reginald Alexander John Warneford,
Royal Naval Air Service, for the conspicuous act of bravery specified below: —
For
most conspicuous bravery on the
7th June, 1915, when he attacked and,
single-handed, completely destroyed a Zeppelin in mid-air. This brilliant
achievement was accomplished after chasing the Zeppelin from the coast of
Flanders to Ghent, where he succeeded in dropping his bombs on to it from a
height of only one or two hundred feet. One of these bombs caused a terrific
explosion which set the Zeppelin on fire from end to end, but at the same time
overturned his Aeroplane
and stopped the engine. In spite of this he succeeded in landing safely in
hostile country, and after 15 minutes started his engine and returned to his
base without damage.
4 July 1915
- Lieutenant Frederick PARSLOW RNR,
Master, HM Transport Anglo Californian, North
Atlantic
The London
Gazette 24 May 1919 (from the Admiralty)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the posthumous award of the Victoria
Cross to the undermentioned
Officer(s): —
Lieutenant
Frederick Parslow, R.N.R. For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to
duty when in command of the Horse Transport Anglo-Californian on the
4th July, 1915.
At 8 a.m. on 4th July, 1915,
a large submarine was sighted on the port beam at a distance of about one
mile. The ship, which was entirely unarmed, was immediately manoeuvred to bring the submarine astern; every
effort was made to increase speed, and an S.O.S. call was sent out by wireless,
an answer being received from a man-of-war. At 9 a.m. the submarine opened fire, and
maintained a steady fire, making occasional hits, until 10.30 a.m., meanwhile
Lieutenant Parslow
constantly altered course and kept the submarine astern.
At 10 30 am
the enemy hoisted the signal to abandon the vessel as fast as possible, and in
order to save life Lieutenant Parslow
decided to obey, and stopped engines to give as many of the the crew as wished an opportunity to get away in the
boats On receiving a wireless message from a destroyer, however, urging him to
hold on as long as possible, he decided to get way on the ship again The
submarine then opened a heavy fire on the bridge and boats with guns and
rifles, wrecking the upper bridge, killing Lieutenant Parslow, and carrying away one of the port davits,
causing the boat to drop into the sea and throwing its occupants into the
water.
At about 11am two
destroyers arrived on the scene, and the submarine dived. Throughout the attack
Lieutenant Parslow remained
on the bridge, on which the enemy fire was concentrated, entirely without
protection, and by his magnificent heroism succeeded, at the cost of his own
life, in saving a valuable ship and cargo for the country, He set a splendid
example to the officers and men of the Mercantile Marine.
28th
September, 1915 - Lieutenant Commander Edgar
COOKSON RN, HMS Comet, Kut-el-Amara,
Mesopotamia
The London
Gazette 21
January 1916 (from the Admiralty)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to
Lieutenant-Commander Edgar Christopher Cookson,
D.S.O., R.N., in recognition of the following act of most conspicuous gallantry
during the advance on Kut-el-Amara:
—
On the 28th September, 1915,
the river gunboat Comet had been ordered with other gunboats to examine and, if
possible, destroy an obstruction placed across the river by the Turks. When the
gunboats were approaching the obstruction a very heavy rifle and machine gun
fire was opened on them from both banks. An attempt to sink the centre dhow of
the obstruction by gunfire having failed, Lieutenant-Commander Cookson ordered the Comet to be
placed alongside, and himself jumped on to the dhow with an axe and tried to
cut the wire hawsers connecting it with the two other craft forming the
obstruction. He was immediately shot in several places and died within a very
few minutes.
19 November
1915 - Squadron Commander Richard DAVIES RNAS,
No.3 Sq RNAS, Bulgaria
The London
Gazette, 1
January 1916 (from the Admiralty)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to
Squadron-Commander Richard Bell Davies, D.S.O., R.N., and of the Distinguished
Service Cross to Flight Sub-Lieutenant Gilbert Formby Smylie, R.N., in recognition of their behaviour in the following
circumstances: —
On
the 19th November these two officers carried out an air attack on Ferrijik Junction. Flight
Sub-Lieutenant Smylie's
machine was received by very heavy fire and brought down. The pilot planed down
over the station, releasing all his bombs except one, which failed to drop,
simultaneously at the station from a very low altitude. Thence he continued his
descent into the marsh. On alighting he saw the one unexploded bomb, and set
fire to his machine, knowing that the bomb would ensure its destruction. He
then proceeded towards Turkish territory.
At this
moment he perceived Squadron-Commander Davies descending, and fearing that he
would come down near the burning machine and thus risk destruction from the
bomb, Flight Sub-Lieutenant Smylie
ran back and from a short distance exploded the bomb by means of a pistol bullet.
Squadron-Commander Davies descended at a safe distance from the burning
machine, took up Sub-Lieutenant Smylie,
in spite of the near approach of a party of the enemy, and returned to the
aerodrome, a feat of airmanship that can seldom have been equalled for skill and gallantry.
1 9 1 6
24 April
1916 - Lieutenant Humphrey FIRMAN RN, Lieutenant
Commander Charles COWLEY RNVR, SS Julnar,
Kut-el-Amara
The London
Gazette 2 February
1917 (from the Admiralty, 3lst January,
1917)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the posthumous grant of the Victoria
Cross to the undermentioned
officers in recognition of their conspicuous gallantry in an attempt to
re-provision the force besieged in Kut'-el-Amara.:
—
Lieutenant
Humphrey Osbaldeston Brooke
Firman, R.N.
Lieutenant-Commander Charles Henry Cowley, R.N.V.R.
The General
Officer Commanding, Indian Expeditionary Force D, reported on this attempt in
the following words: —
At 8 p.m. on April 24th, 1916,
with a crew from the Royal Navy under Lieutenant Firman, R.N., assisted by Lieutenant-Commander
Cowley, R.N.V.R., the Julnar,
carrying 270 tons of supplies, left Falahiyah
in an attempt to reach Kut.
Her
departure was covered by all Artillery and machine gun fire that could be
brought to bear, in the hope of distracting the enemy's attention. She was,
however, discovered and shelled on her passage up the river. At 1 a.m. on the 25th
General Townshend reported
that she had not arrived, and that at midnight
a burst of heavy firing had been heard at Magasis, some 10 miles from Kut by river, which had suddenly ceased. There could
be but little doubt that the enterprise had failed, and the next day the Air
Service reported the Julnar
in the hands of the Turks at Magasis.
The leaders
of this brave attempt Lieutenant H. O. B. Firman, R.N., and his assistant -
Lieutenant-Commander C. H. Cowley, R.N.V.R. - the latter of whom throughout the
campaign in Mesopotamia performed magnificent service in command of the Mejidieh - have been reported by
the Turks to have been killed; the remainder of the gallant crew, including
five wounded, are prisoners of war.
Knowing well
the chances against them, all the gallant officers and men who manned the Julnar for the occasion were
volunteers.
I trust that.the services in this
connection of Lieutenant H. O. B. Firman,
R.N., and Lieutenant-Commander C. H. Cowley, R.N.V.R., his assistant, both of
whom were unfortunately killed, may be recognised
by the posthumous grant of some suitable honour.
(Note: The
surviving but wounded Lt-Cdr Cowley surrendered and the remainder of the crew
including five wounded were taken prisoner. He was soon separated from his men
and reported shot trying to escape, but probably executed. He had been master
of the local Lynch Bros steamer Mejidieh
with great knowledge of the River Tigris
and was considered an Ottoman citizen by the Turks.)
31 May 1916 - Commander Edward BINGHAM RN, HMS
Nestor, Boy 1st Class John CORNWELL, HMS Chester, Commander Loftus
JONES RN, HMS Shark, Major Francis HARVEY RMLI, HMS Lion, Battle of Jutland
The London Gazette 15
September 1916 (from the Admiralty, S.W.)
The
following despatch has been
received from Admiral Sir John R. Jellicoe,
G.C.B., G.C.V.O., Commander-in-Chief, Grand
Fleet: —
HMS Iron
Duke,
23rd August,
1916.
Sir,—
With
reference to my despatch of
24th June,
1916, I have the honour to bring to the notice of the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty the names of the following officers who are
recommended for honours and
special commendation. (excerpts)
Commander the Hon. Edward Barry Stewart Bingham, R.N. ex-HMS
Nestor (prisoner of war). (above - M-class sister-ship. Identified as HMS Marne but
pennant number suggests HMS Milbrook (NP))
Recommended for Victoria Cross. For the extremely gallant way in which he led his
division in their attack, first on enemy destroyers and then on their battlecruisers.
He finally sighted the enemy battle-fleet, and, followed by the one remaining
destroyer of his division (Nicator),
with dauntless courage he closed to within 3,000 yards of the enemy in order to
attain a favourable
position for firing the torpedoes. While making this attack, Nestor and Nicator were under concentrated
fire of the secondary batteries of the High Sea Fleet. Nestor was subsequently
sunk
Major
Francis John William Harvey, R.M.L.I., HM Battlecruiser
Lion (above (MQ/Alasdair Hughs))
Recommended for posthumous Victoria Cross.
Whilst mortally wounded and almost the only survivor after the explosion of an
enemy shell in Q gunhouse , with great presence of mind and devotion to duty ordered
the magazine to be flooded, thereby saving the ship. He died shortly
afterwards.
Commander
Loftus William Jones, R.N.
Recommended for posthumous honour. For
fighting his ship until she sank after having been seriously wounded.
The London
Gazette 15
September 1916 (continued)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officers in
recognition of their bravery and devotion to duty as described in the foregoing
despatch: —
Commander
the Hon. Edward Barry Stewart Bingham, R.N. (prisoner of war in Germany)
Major
Francis John William Harvey, R.M.L.I, (killed in action).
The London
Gazette 15
September 1916 (continued)
With
reference to the Despatch
of Admiral Sir John Jellicoe,
G.C.B., G.C.V.O., Commander-in-Chief, Grand Fleet, published in the London
Gazette of Thursday, 6th July, 1916, the following awards have been approved in
connection with the recommendations of the Commander-in-Chief for services
rendered by Petty Officers and men of the Grand Fleet in the action in the
North Sea on the 31st May-1st June, 1916.
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve the grant of the Victoria Cross to Boy,
First Class, John Travers Cornwell, O.N. J.42563 (died 2nd June, 1916), for the
conspicuous act of bravery specified below. (Serving on light cruiser
HMS Chester - both images (SM))
Mortally
wounded early in the action, Boy, First Class, John Travers Cornwell remained
standing alone at a most exposed post, quietly awaiting orders, until the end
of the action, with the gun's crew dead and wounded all round him. His age was
under sixteen and a half years.
The London
Gazette 6 March
1917 (from the Admiralty)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the posthumous grant of the Victoria
Cross to the undermentioned
Officer in recognition of his most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty in
the course of the Battle of Jutland. The full facts have only now been
ascertained.
Commander
Loftus William Jones, R.N. ex-HMS Shark (above (NP)) (killed in action).
On the
afternoon of the 31st
May, 1916, during the action, Commander Jones
in H.M.S. Shark, Torpedo Boat Destroyer , led a
division of Destroyers to attack the enemy Battle Cruiser Squadron. In the
course of this attack a shell hit the Shark's bridge, putting the steering gear
out of order, and very shortly afterwards another shell disabled the main
engines, leaving the vessel helpless. The Commanding Officer of another
Destroyer, seeing the Shark's plight, came between her and the enemy and
offered assistance, but was warned by Commander Jones not to run the risk of
being almost certainly sunk in trying to help him. Commander Jones, though
wounded in the leg, went aft to help connect and man the after wheel. Meanwhile
the forecastle gun with its crew had been blown away, and the same fate soon
afterwards befell the after gun and crew. Commander Jones then went to the midship and only remaining gun,
and personally assisted in keeping it in action. All this, time the Shark was
subjected to very heavy fire from enemy light cruisers and destroyers at short
range. The gun's crew of the midship
gun was reduced to three, of whom an Able Seaman was soon badly wounded in the
leg. A few minutes later Commander Jones was hit by a shell, which took off his
leg above the knee, but he continued to give orders to his gun's crew, while a
Chief Stoker improvised a tourniquet round his thigh. Noticing that the Ensign
was not properly hoisted, he gave orders for another to be hoisted. Soon
afterwards, seeing that the ship could not survive much longer, and as a German
Destroyer was closing, he gave orders for the surviving members of the crew to
put on lifebelts. Almost immediately after this order had been given, the Shark
was struck by a torpedo and sank. Commander Jones was unfortunately not amongst
the few survivors from the Shark, who were picked up by a neutral vessel in the
night.
The
following awards have also been made to the survivors of H.M.S. Shark for their
services during the action: —
To receive
the Distinguished Service Medal:—
Sto. P.O. Charles Filleul, O.N.-292779 (Po.).
A.B. Charles
Cleeberg Hope, O.N.238376 (Po.).
A.B. Charles
Herbert Smith, O.N.J.13416 (Po.).
A.B. Joseph
Owen Glendower Howell,
6.N.230192 (Po.).
Sto.,
1st Cl, Thomas Wilton Swan,
O.N.K.26567 (Po.).
P.O. William Charles Richard Griffin, O.N. 201404 (Po.).
(The award
to Petty Officer Griffin has already been gazetted.)
13 November 1916 - Captain (temp.
Lieutenant-Colonel) Bernard Cyril FREYBERG, British Army, serving with Hood
Battalion, Royal
Naval Division, France
The London Gazette
15 December 1916 (from the War Office)
His Majesty the KING has
been graciously pleased to confer the Victoria Cross on the undermentioned
Officer: —
Capt. (temp. Lt.-Col.)
Bernard Cyril Freyberg, D.S.O., R. W. Surr. R. and R.N.D.
For most conspicuous
bravery and brilliant leading as a Battalion Commander. By his splendid personal
gallantry he carried the initial attack straight through the enemy's front
system of trenches. Owing to mist and heavy fire of all descriptions,
Lieutenant-Colonel Freyberg's command was much disorganised after the capture of
the first objective. He personally rallied and re-formed his men, including men
from other units who had become intermixed. He inspired all with his own
contempt of danger. At the appointecd time he led his men to the successful
assault of the second objective—many prisoners being captured. During this
advance he was twice wounded. He again rallied and re-formed all who were with
him, and although un-supported in a very advanced position, he held his ground
for the remainder of the day, and throughout the night, under heavy artillery
and machine gun fire. When reinforced on the following morning, he organised the
attack on a strongly fortified village and showed a fine example of dash in
personally leading the assault, capturing the village and five hundred
prisoners. In this operation he was again wounded. Later in the afternoon, he
was again wounded severely, but refused to leave the line till he had issued
final instructions. The personality, valour and utter contempt of danger on the
part of this single Officer enabled the lodgment in the most advanced objective
of the Corps to be permanently held, and on this point d'appui the line was
eventually formed.
(Note: my thanks to
Mark Stuttard for suggesting the addition of Col Freyberg because of his
service with the RN Division. He was serving with the RNVR at Gallipoli when
he was awarded the DSO in 1915, transferred to the British Army as captain
in the Queen's (Royal West Surrey) Regiment in May 1916, but was then
seconded to Hood Battalion late in the final stages of the Battle of the
Somme, winning the VC in the capture of Beacourt village on 13 November
1916)
1 9 1 7
17 February
1917 - Commander Gordon CAMPBELL RN,
commanding officer, HM Q-Ship Q.5
The London Gazette 21 April 1917 (from the Admiralty, S.W.)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to
Commander Gordon Campbell, D.S.O., R.N.
(left (FH))
In
recognition of his conspicuous gallantry, consummate coolness, and skill in
command of one of H.M. ships in action.
The London
Gazette 20
November 1918 (from the Admiralty)
With
reference to announcements of the award of the Victoria Cross to naval officers
and men for services in action with enemy submarines, the following (is the
account of the action for which this award was made) —
Action of
H.M.S. Q5 on the 17th
February, 1917.
On the 17th February, 1917,
H.M.S. Q5, under the command of Commander Campbell, D.S.O., R..N., was struck by a torpedo abreast of No. 3 hold.
Action stations were sounded and the ''panic party'' abandoned ship. The
engineer officer reported that the engine-room was flooding, and was ordered to
remain at his post as long as possible, which he and his staff, several of whom
were severely wounded, most gallantly did. The submarine was observed on the
starboard quarter 200 yards distant, watching the proceedings through his
periscope. He ran past the ship on the starboard side so closely that the whole
hull was visible beneath the surface, finally emerging about 300 yards on the
port bow. The enemy came down the port side of the ship, and fire was withheld
until all guns could bear at point blank range. The first shot beheaded the
captain of the submarine as he was climbing out of the conning tower, and the
submarine finally sank with conning tower open and crew pouring out. One
officer and one man were rescued on the surface and taken prisoner, after which
the boats were recalled and all hands proceeded to do their utmost to keep the
ship afloat. A wireless signal for assistance had been sent out when (but not
until) the fate of the submarine was assured, and a destroyer and sloop arrived
a couple of hours later and took Q.5 in tow. She was finally beached in safety
the following evening. The action may be regarded as the supreme test of naval
discipline. The chief engineer and engine-room watch remained at their posts to
keep the dynamo working until driven out by the water, then remaining concealed on top of the cylinders. The
guns' crews had to remain concealed in their gun houses for nearly half an
hour, while the ship slowly sank lower in the water!
(The award
of the Victoria Cross to Commander Gordon Campbell, D.S.O. R.N., was announced
in London Gazette No.'30029, dated the 21st April, 1917.)
7 June 1917
- Lieutenant Ronald Niel
STUART RNR,
Seaman William WILLIAMS RNR (left
(FH)), HM Q-Ship Pargust
(collier, 2914grt), North Atlantic
The London
Gazette 20
July 1917
HONOURS FOR SERVICES IN ACTION WITH ENEMY SUBMARINES.
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the following honours, decorations and medals
to Officers and men for services in action with enemy submarines: —
To
receive the Victoria Cross.
Lieut.
Ronald Neil Stuart, D.S.O., R.N.R.
Sea. William Williams, R.N.R., O.N. 6224A.
Lieutenant
Stuart and Seaman Williams were selected by the officers and ship's company
respectively of one of H.M. Ships to receive the Victoria Cross under Rule 13
of the Royal Warrant dated the
29th January, 1856.
The London
Gazette 20
November 1918 (from the Admiralty)
With
reference to announcements of the award of the Victoria Cross to naval officers
and men for services in action with enemy submarines, the following (is the
account of the action for which these awards were made) —
Action of
H.M.S. Pargust on the 7th June, 1917.
On the 7th June, 1917,
while disguised as a British merchant vessel with a dummy gun mounted aft,
H.M.S. Pargust was torpedoed
at very close range. Her boiler-room, engine-room, and No. 5 hold were
immediately flooded, and the starboard lifeboat was blown to pieces. The
weather was misty at the time, fresh breeze and a choppy sea. The panic party,
under the command of Lieutenant P. R. Hereford, D.S.C., R.N.R., abandoned ship,
and as the last boat was shoving off, the periscope of the submarine was
observed close before the port beam about 4000 yards distant. The enemy then
submerged, and periscope re- appeared directly astern, passing to the starboard
quarter, and then round to the port beam, when it turned again towards the
ship, breaking surface about 50 yards away. The lifeboat, acting as a lure,
commenced to pull round the stern; submarine followed-closely and Lieutenant
Hereford, with complete disregard of the danger incurred from fire of either
ship or submarine (who had trained a maxim on the lifeboat), continued to decoy
her to within 50 yards of the ship. The Pargust
then opened fire with all guns, and the submarine, with oil squirting from her
side and the crew pouring out of the conning tower, steamed slowly across the
bows with a heavy list.. The
enemy crew held up their hands in token of surrender, whereupon fire
immediately ceased. The submarine then began to move away at a gradually
increasing speed, apparently endeavouring
to escape in the mist. Fire was reopened until she sank, one man clinging to
the bow as she went down. The boats, after a severe pull to windward, succeeded
in saving one officer and one man. American Destroyers and a British sloop
arrived shortly afterwards, and the Pargust
was towed back to port. As on the previous occasions, officers and men
displayed the utmost courage and confidence in their captain, and the action
serves as an example of what perfect discipline, when coupled with such
confidence, can achieve.
(The award of the Victoria Cross to Lieut. Ronald Neil
Stuart, D.S.O., R.N.R., and Sea. William
Williams, R.N.R., O.N., 6224A.,
was announced in London Gazette No. 30194, dated the 20th July, 1917.)
8 August 1917 - Lieutenant Charles BONNER RNR,
Petty Officer Emest PITCHER,
HM Q-Ship Dunraven
(collier, 3117grt), North Atlantic
The London
Gazette 2
November 1917 (from the Admiralty)
HONOURS FOR SERVICES IN ACTION WITH ENEMY SUBMARINES.
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the following honours, decorations and medals
to officers and men for services in action with enemy submarines: —
To
Receive the Victoria Cross.
Lieut.
Charles George Bonner, D.S.C., R.N.R.
P.O. Ernest Pitcher, O.N. 227029 (Po.).
P.O. Pitcher
was selected by the crew of a gun of one of H.M. ships to receive the Victoria
Cross under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant dated the 29th January, 1856.
The London
Gazette 20
November 1918 (from the Admiralty)
With
reference to announcements of the award of the Victoria Cross to naval officers
and men for services in action with enemy submarines, the following (is the
account of the action for which these awards were made) —
Action of
H.M.S. Dunraven on the 8th
August, 1917.
On the 8th
August, 1917, H.M.S. Dunraven,
under the command, of Captain Gordon Campbell, V.C., D.S.O., R.N., sighted an
enemy submarine on the horizon. In her role of armed British merchant ship, the
Dunraven continued her zig-zag course, whereupon the
submarine closed, remaining submerged to within 5,000 yards, and then, rising
to the surface, opened fire. The Dunraven
returned the fire with her merchant ship gun, at the same time reducing speed
to enable the enemy to overtake her. Wireless signals were also sent out for
the benefit of the submarine: Help !
come quickly—submarine
chasing and shelling me. Finally, when the shells began falling close, the Dunraven stopped and abandoned
ship by the panic party. The ship was then being heavily shelled, and on fire
aft. In the meantime the submarine closed to 400 yards distant, partly obscured
from view by the dense clouds of smoke issuing1 from the Dunraven's stern. Despite the knowledge that the after
magazine must inevitably explode if he waited, and further, that a gun and
gun's crew lay concealed over the magazine, Captain Campbell decided to reserve
his fire until the submarine had passed clear of the smoke. A moment later,
however, a heavy explosion occurred aft, blowing the gun and gun's crew into
the air, and accidentally starting the fire-gongs at the remaining gun
positions; screens were immediately dropped, and the only gun that would bear
opened fire, but the submarine, apparently frightened by the explosion, had
already commenced to submerge.
Realising that a
torpedo must inevitably follow, Captain Campbell ordered the surgeon to remove
all wounded and conceal them in cabins; hoses were also turned on the poop,
which was a mass of flames. A signal was sent out warning men-of-war to divert
all traffic below the horizon in order that nothing should interrupt the final
phase of the action. Twenty minutes later a torpedo again struck the ship abaft
the engine-room. An additional party of men were again sent away as a panic
party, and left the ship to outward appearances completely abandoned, with the
White Ensign flying and guns unmasked.
For the
succeeding fifty minutes the submarine examined the ship through her periscope.
During this period boxes of cordite and shells exploded every few minutes, and
the fire on the poop still blazed furiously. Captain Campbell and the handful
of officers and men who remained on board lay hidden during this ordeal. The
submarine then rose to the surface astern, where no guns could bear and shelled
the ship closely for twenty minutes. The enemy then submerged and steamed past
the ship 150 yards off, examining her through the periscope. Captain Campbell
decided then to fire one of his torpedoes, but missed by a few inches. The
submarine crossed the bows and came slowly down the other side, whereupon a
second torpedo was fired and missed again. The enemy observed it and
immediately submerged. Urgent signals for assistance were immediately sent out,
but pending arrival of assistance Captain Campbell arranged for a third panic
party to jump overboard if necessary and leave one gun's crew on board for a
final attempt to destroy the enemy, should he again attack. Almost immediately
afterwards, however, British and American destroyers arrived on the scene, the
wounded were transferred, boats were recalled and the fire extinguished. The Dunraven although her stern was
awash, was taken in tow, but the weather grew worse, and early the following
morning she sank with colours
flying.
(The award
of the Victoria Cross to Lieut. Charles George Bonner, D.S.C., R.N.R., and P.O.
Ernest Pitcher, O.N. 227029 (Po.), was announced in London Gazette No. 30363,
dated the 2nd November, 1917.)
10 March,
1917 - Lieutenant Archibald SMITH RNR,
Master, SS Otaki, North
Atlantic
The London
Gazette 24 May 1919 (from the Admiralty, S.W.)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the posthumous award of the Victoria
Cross to the undermentioned
Officer(s): —
Lieutenant
Archibald Bisset Smith, RNR
For most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty when in command of the S S Otaki. At about 2.30 pm on 10th March, 1917 the S S Otaki, whose armament consisted of one 4.7 in gun
for defensive purposes, sighted the disguised German raider Moewe, which was armed with four 5.9 inch, one 4.1
inch and two 22 pdr guns,
and two torpedo tubes. The Moewe
kept the Otaki under
observation for some time and finally called upon her to stop This Lieutenant
Smith refused to do, and a duel ensued at ranges of 1900-2000 yards, and lasted
for about 20 minutes. During this action, the Otaki scored several hits on the Moewe, causing considerable damage, and starting a
fire, which lasted for three days. She sustained several casualties and
received much damage herself, and was heavily on fire. Lieutenant Smith,
therefore, gave orders for the boats to be lowered to allow the crew to be
rescued. He remained on the ship himself and went down with her when she sank
with the British colours
still flying, after what was described in an enemy account as a duel as gallant
as naval history can relate.
3 April
1917 – Major Frederick LUMSDEN RMA,
France
The London
Gazette 8 June 1917
(from the War Office)
His Majesty the KING has been graciously pleased to
approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officers, Non-Commissioned Officers
and Men (including): —
Maj. Frederick William Lumsden, D.S.O., R.M.A.
For most
conspicuous bravery, determination and devotion to duty.
Six enemy field guns having been captured, it was necessary to leave them in
dug-in positions, 300 yards in advance of the position held by our troops. The
enemy kept the captured guns under heavy fire. Maj. Lumsden undertook the duty of bringing the guns into
our lines. In order to effect
this, he personally led four artillery teams and a party of infantry through
the hostile barrage. As one of these teams
sustained casualties, he left the remaining teams in a covered position, and,
through very heavy rifle, machine gun and shrapnel fire, led the infantry to
the guns. By force of example and inspiring energy he succeeded in sending back
two teams with guns, going through the barrage with the teams of the third gun.
He then returned to the guns to await further teams, and these he succeeded in
attaching to two of the three remaining guns, despite rifle fire, which had
become intense at short range, and removed the guns to safety. By this time the
enemy, in considerable strength, had driven through the infantry covering
points, and blown up the breach of the remaining gun. Maj. Lumsden then returned, drove off the enemy, attached
the gun to a team and got it away.
30 April
1917 - Lieutenant William SANDERS RNR,
HM Q-Ship Prize (schooner, 227grt), North
Atlantic
The London Gazette 22
June 1917 (from the Admiralty, S.W.)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned: —
Act. Lieut, (now Lieut. -Cdr.) William Edward Sanders,
R.N.R.
In
recognition of his conspicuous gallantry, consummate coolness, and skill in
command of one of H.M. ships in action.
The London
Gazette 20
November 1918 (from the Admiralty)
With
reference to announcements of the award of the Victoria Cross to naval officers
and men for services in action with enemy submarines, the following (is the
account of the action for which this award was made) —
Action of
H.M.S. Prize on the
30th April, 1917.
H.M.S.
Prize, a topsail schooner of 200 tons, under command of Lieutenant William
Edward Sanders, R.N.R., sighted an enemy submarine on the 30th April, 1917.
The enemy opened fire at three miles range and approached slowly astern. The
panic party, in charge of Skipper William Henry Brewer, R.N.R. (Trawler
Section), immediately abandoned ship. Ship's head was put into the wind, and
the guns' crews concealed themselves by lying face downwards on the deck. The
enemy continued deliberately shelling the schooner, inflicting severe damage
and wounding a number of men. For 20 minutes she continued to approach, firing
as she came, but at length, apparently satisfied that no one remained on board,
she drew out on the schooner's
quarter 70 yards away. The white ensign was immediately hoisted, the screens
dropped, and all guns opened fire. A shell struck the foremost gun of the
submarine, blowing it to atoms and annihilating the crew. Another shot
demolished the conning tower, and at the same time a Lewis gun raked the
survivors off the submarine's deck. She sank four minutes after the
commencement of the action in clouds of smoke, the glare of an internal fire
being visible through the rents in her hull. The captain of the submarine, a
warrant-officer and one man were picked up and brought on board the Prize,
which was then herself sinking fast. Captors and prisoners, however, succeeded
in plugging the shot holes and keeping the water, under with the pumps. The
Prize then set sail for the land, 120 miles distant. They were finally picked
up two days later by a motor-launch and towed the remaining five miles into harbour.
(The award
of the Victoria Cross to Acting Lieutenant William Edward Sanders, R.N.R., was
announced in London Gazette No. 30147, dated the 22nd June, 1917.)
15 May 1917 – Skipper Joseph WATT RNR,
HM Drifter Gowan Lea, Otranto Straits (above - Admiralty
drifter HMS Sheen, 94grt, built 1918, similar to HMS Gowan Lea 84grt, built 1914 (NP/Mark Teadham))
The London
Gazette 29
August 1917 (from the Admiralty)
HONOURS FOR
SERVICE IN THE ACTION IN THE STRAITS OF OTRANTO ON THE 15th MAY,
1917.
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned officer: —
Skipper
Joseph Watt, R.N.R., 1206 W.S. A.
For most
conspicuous gallantry when the Allied Drifter line in the Straits of Otranto was attacked by Austrian
light cruisers on the morning of the 15th May, 1917. When hailed by an Austrian
cruiser at about 100 yards range and ordered to stop and abandon his drifter
the Gowan Lea, Skipper Watt
ordered full speed ahead and called upon his crew to give three cheers and
fight to the finish. The cruiser was then engaged, but after one round had
been, fired, a shot from the enemy disabled the breech of the drifter's gun.
The gun's crew, however, stuck to the gun, endeavouring to make it work, being under heavy fire
all the time. After the cruiser had passed on Skipper Watt took the Gowan Lea alongside the
badly-damaged drifter Floandi
and assisted to remove the dead and wounded.
14 August
1917 – Skipper Thomas CRISP RNR,
HM Q-Ship Smack Nelson (61grt - above (FH)), North
Sea
The London
Gazette 2
November 1917 (from the Admiralty)
HONOURS FOR SERVICES IN ACTION WITH ENEMY SUBMARINES.
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the following honours, decorations and medals
to officers and men for services in action with enemy submarines (including):
—
Posthumous
Award of the Victoria Cross.
Skipper
Thomas Crisp, R.N.R., 10055D.A (killed in action - above left (FH)).
The London
Gazette 20
November 1918 (from the Admiralty)
With
reference to announcements of the award of the Victoria Cross to naval officers
and men for services in action with enemy submarines, the following (is the
account of the action for which this award was made) —
Action of
H.M. Armed Smack Nelson on the
15th August, 1917.
On the 15th August, 1917,
the Smack Nelson was engaged in fishing when she was attacked by gunfire from
an enemy submarine. The gear was let go and the submarine's fire was returned.
The submarine's fourth shot went through the port bow just below the waterline,
and the seventh shell struck the skipper, Thomas Crisp, partially disembowelling him, and passed
through the deck and out through the side of the ship. In spite of the terrible
nature of his wound Skipper Crisp retained consciousness, and his first thought
was to send off a message that he was being attacked and giving his position.
He continued to command his ship until the ammunition was almost exhausted and
the smack was sinking. He refused to be moved into the small boat when the rest
of the crew were obliged to abandon the vessel as she sank, his last request
being that he might be thrown overboard.
(The
posthumous award of the Victoria Cross to Skipper Thomas Crisp, D.S.C., R.N.R.,
10055 D.A., was announced in London Gazette No. 30363, dated the 2nd November,
1917.)
17 November 1917 - Ordinary Seaman John CARLESS,
HMS Caledon (light cruiser - above (NP/Paul Simpson)), Heligoland Bight
The London
Gazette 17 May 1918
HONOURS FOR MISCELLANEOUS SERVICES.
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the following honours, decorations and medals
to the undermentioned
officers and men (including): —
Action in
the Heligoland Bight on the 17th November, 1917.
Posthumous award of the Victoria Cross.
Ord. Sea.
John Henry Carless, O.N.
J.43703 (Po.) (killed in
action).
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty.
Although
mortally wounded in the abdomen, he still went on serving the gun at which he
was acting as rammer, lifting a projectile and helping to clear away the other
casualties. He collapsed once, but got up, tried again, and cheered on the new
gun's crew. He then fell and died. He not only set a very inspiring and
memorable example, but he also, whilst mortally wounded, continued to do
effective work against the King's enemies.
1 9 1 8
28 January
1918 - Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey WHITE,
commanding officer, HM Submarine E.14, Dardanelles (above
- sister boat, believed to be E.18 (RM))
The London
Gazette 24 May 1919 (from the Admiralty, S.W.)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the posthumous award of the Victoria
Cross to the undermentioned
Officer(s) : —
Lieutenant-Commander
White, R.N. Geoffrey Saxton (above left (dh))
For
most conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty as Commanding Officer of H.M.
Submarine E 14 on the 28th of January, 1918.
E 14 left Mudros on the 27th of January
under instructions to force the Narrows
and attack the Goeben,
which was reported aground off Nagara
Point after being damaged during her sortie from the Dardanelles.
The latter vessel was not found and E 14 turned back. At about 8.45 a.m. on the
28th of January a torpedo was fired from E 14 at an enemy ship; 11 seconds
after the torpedo left the tube a heavy explosion took place, caused all lights
to go out, and sprang the fore hatch. Leaking badly the boat was blown to 15
feet, and at once a heavy fire came from the forts, but the hull was not hit. E
14 then dived and proceeded on her way out.
Soon
afterwards the boat became out of control, and as the air supply was nearly
exhausted, Lieutenant-Commander White decided to run the risk of proceeding on
the surface. Heavy fire was immediately opened from both sides, and, after
running the gauntlet for half-an-hour, being steered from below, E 14 was so
badly damaged that Lieutenant-Commander White turned towards the shore in order
to give the crew a chance of being saved. He remained on deck the whole time
himself until he was killed bv a shell.
23 April 1918 - Commander Alfred CARPENTER RN,
Sergeant Norman FINCH RMA,
both
HMS Vindictive,
Lieutenant Commander Arthur HARRISON RN,
Naval Storming Parties in HMS Vindictive, Captain Edward BAMFORD RMLI, Marine Landing Force, Able
Seaman Albert MCKENZIE,
Naval Storming Party, Lieutenant Commander George
BRADFORD RN,
Naval Storming Parties in
HMS Iris II, Lieutenant Richard SANDFORD RN, HM
Submarine C.3, Lieutenant Percy DEAN RNVR, HM Motor Launch 282, Zeebrugge Raid
The London
Gazette 23
July 1918 (from the Admiralty)
HONOURS FOR
SERVICES IN THE OPERATIONS AGAINST ZEEBRUGGE AND OSTEND
ON THE NIGHT OF THE 22ND-23RD
APRIL, 1918.
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officers and men:
—
Commander
(Acting Captain) Alfred Francis Blakeney
Carpenter, R.N.
For most conspicuous gallantry.
This officer was in command of Vindictive (above left - some years earlier,
right - after the Zeebrugge Raid (both NP)). He
set a magnificent example to all those under his command by his calm composure
when navigating mined waters, bringing his ship alongside the mole in darkness.
When Vindictive was within a few yards of the mole the enemy started and
maintained a heavy fire from batteries, machine guns and rifles on to the
bridge. He showed most conspicuous bravery, and did much to encourage similar behaviour on the part of the
crew, supervising the landing from the Vindictive on to the mole, and walking
round the decks directing operations and encouraging the men in the most
dangerous and exposed positions. By his encouragement to those under him, his
power of command and personal bearing, he undoubtedly contributed greatly to
the success of the operation. Capt. Carpenter was selected by the officers of
the Vindictive, Iris II., and Daffodil, and of the naval assaulting force to
receive the Victoria Cross under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant, dated the 29th
January, 1866.
Lieutenant
Richard Douglas Sandford, R.N
For
most conspicuous gallantry. This officer was in command
of Submarine C.3 (above - left hand boat (MQ)), and most skilfully placed that vessel in
between the piles of the viaduct before lighting his fuse and abandoning her.
He eagerly undertook this hazardous enterprise, although, well aware (as were
all his crew) that if the means of rescue failed and he or any of his crew were
in the water at the moment of the explosion, they would be killed outright by
the force of such explosion. Yet Lieutenant Sandford disdained to use the gyro steering, which
would have enabled him and his crew to abandon the submarine at a safe
distance, and preferred to make sure, as far as was humanly possible, of the
accomplishment of his duty.
Lieutenant Percy Thompson Dean, R.N.V.R. (Motor Launch
282) (above, sister launch ML.531 (AH)).
For most conspicuous gallantry. Lieutenant
Dean handled his boat in a most magnificent and heroic manner when embarking
the officers and men from the blockships
at Zeebrugge. He followed
the blockships in and
closed Intrepid and Iphigenia under a constant and deadly fire from machine and
heavy guns at point blank range, embarking over 100 officers and men. This
completed, he was proceeding out of the canal, when he heard that an officer
was in the water. He returned, rescued him, and then proceeded, handling his
boat throughout as calmly as if engaged in a practice manoeuvre. Three men were shot down at his side
whilst he conned his ship. On clearing the entrance to the canal the steering,
gear broke down. He manoeuvred
his boat by the engines, and avoided complete destruction by steering so close
in under the mole that the guns in the batteries could not depress sufficiently
to fire on the boat. The whole of this operation was carried out under a
constant machine-gun fire at a few yards range. It was solely due to this
officer's courage and daring that M.L.282 succeeded in saving so many valuable
lives.
Captain
Edward Bamford, D.S.O.,
R.M.L.I.
For most conspicuous gallantry.
This officer landed on the mole from Vindictive with numbers 5, 7 and 8
platoons of the marine storming force, in the face of great difficulties. When
on the mole and under heavy fire, he displayed the greatest initiative in the
command of his company, and by his total disregard of danger showed a
magnificent example to his men. He first established a strong point on the
right of the disembarkation, and, when satisfied that that was safe, led an
assault on a battery to the left with the utmost coolness and valour. Captain Bamford was selected by the
officers of the R.M.A. and R.M.L.I. detachments to receive the Victoria Cross
under Rule 13 of the Royal Warrant, dated the 29th January, 1856.
Serjeant Norman
Augustus Finch, R.M.A., No. R.M.A./12150.
For most conspicuous gallantry. Serjeant Finch was second in
command of the pompoms and Lewis guns in the foretop of Vindictive, under
Lieutenant Charles N. B. Rigby, R.M.A. At one period the Vindictive was being
hit every few seconds, chiefly in the upper works, from which splinters caused
many casualties. It was difficult to locate the guns which were doing the most
damage, but Lieutenant Rigby, Serjeant
Finch and the Marines in the foretop, kept up a continuous fire with pompoms
and Lewis guns, changing rapidly from one target to another, and thus keeping
the enemy's fire down to some considerable extent. Unfortunately two heavy
shells made direct hits on the foretop, which was completely exposed to enemy
concentration of fire. All in the top were killed or disabled except Serjeant Finch, who was, however,
severely wounded; nevertheless he showed consummate bravery, remaining in his
battered and exposed position. He once more got a Lewis gun into action, and
kept up a continuous fire, harassing the enemy on the mole, until the foretop
received another direct hit, the remainder of the armament being then
completely put out of action. Before the top was destroyed Serjeant Finch had done invaluable work, and by his
bravery undoubtedly saved many lives. This very gallant serjeant of the Royal Marine Artillery was selected
by the 4th Battalion of Royal Marines, who were
mostly Royal Marine Light Infantry, to receive the Victoria Cross under Rule 13
of the Royal Warrant dated 29th
January, 1856.
Able Seaman Albert Edward McKenzie, O.N. J31736 (Ch.).
For most conspicuous gallantry.
This rating belonged to B Company of seaman storming party. On the night of the
operation he landed on the mole with his machine-gun in the face of great
difficulties and did very good work, using his gun to the utmost advantage. He
advanced down the mole with Lieutenant-Commander Harrison, who with most of his
party was killed, and accounted for several of the enemy running from a shelter
to a destroyer alongside the mole. This very gallant seaman was severely
wounded whilst working his gun in an exposed position. Able Seaman McKenzie was
selected by the men of the Vindictive, Iris II, and Daffodil and of the naval
assaulting force to receive the Victoria Cross under Rule 13 of the Royal
Warrant dated the 29th
January, 1856.
Supplement to The London
Gazette 17
March, 1919 (from the Admiralty)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the posthumous award of the Victoria
Gross to the undermentioned
officers: —
Lieutenant-Commander
Bradford, R.N. George Nicholson
For
most conspicuous gallantry at Zeebrugge
on the night of the 22nd-23rd April, 1918. This
officer was in command of the Naval Storming Parties embarked in Iris II. When
Iris II. proceeded alongside
the Mole great difficulty was experienced in placing the parapet anchors owing
to the motion of the ship. An attempt was made to land by the scaling ladders
before the snip was secured. Lieutenant Claude E. K. Hawkings (late Erin) managed to get one ladder in
position and actually reached the parapet, the ladder being crashed to pieces
just as he stepped off it. This very gallant young officer was last seen
defending himself with his revolver. He was killed on the parapet. Though
securing the ship was not part of his duties, Lieut.-Commander Bradford climbed
up the derrick, which carried a large parapet anchor and was rigged out over
the port side; during this climb the ship was surging up and down and the
derrick crashing on the Mole; waiting his opportunity he jumped with the
parapet anchor on to the Mole and placed it in position. Immediately after
hooking on the parapet anchor Lieut.-Commander Bradford was riddled with
bullets from machine guns and fell into the sea between the Mole and the ship.
Attempts to recover his body failed. Lieut.-Commander Bradford's action was one of absolute
self-sacrifice; without a moment's hesitation he went to certain death, recognising that in such action
lay the only possible chance of securing Iris II and enabling her storming
parties to land.
Lieutenant-Commander
Harrison, R.N. Arthur Leyland
For most conspicuous gallantry at Zeebrugge on the night of the 22nd-23rd April, 1918.
This officer was in immediate command of the Naval Storming Parties embarked in
Vindictive. Immediately before coming alongside the Mole Lieut.-Commander
Harrison was struck on the head by a fragment of a shell which broke his jaw and
knocked him senseless. Recovering consciousness he proceeded on to the Mole and
took over command of his party, who were attacking the seaward end of the Mole.
The silencing of the guns on the Mole head was of the first importance, and
though in a position fully exposed to the enemy's machine-gun fire
Lieut.-Commander Harrison gathered his men together and led them to the attack.
He was killed at the head of his men, all of whom were either killed or
wounded. Lieut.-Commander Harrison, though already severely wounded and
undoubtedly in great pain, displayed indomitable resolution and courage of the
highest order in pressing his attack, knowing as he did that any delay in
silencing the guns might jeopardize the main object of the expedition, i.e., the blocking of the Zeebrugge-Bruges
Canal.
9/10 May 1918 - Lieutenant Victor CRUTCHLEY RN,
HMS Vindictive, Lieutenant Commander Geoffrey DRUMMOND RNVR, HM Motor
Launch 254, Lieutenant Commander Roland BOURKE RNVR, HM Motor Launch
276, Ostend
Raid
The London
Gazette 28
August 1918 (from the Admiralty)
The
following despatch has been
received from Vice-Admiral Sir Roger J. B. Keyes, K.C.B., C.M.G., C.V.O.,
D.S.O., Commanding the Dover Patrol: —
Fleet House,
Dover,
24th July, 1918.
Sir,
With
reference to my despatch
No. 2305/003 of 15th June, 1918, I have the honour to bring to the notice of the Lords
Commissioners of the Admiralty the names of the following Officers and Men who
performed distinguished service in the second blocking operation against Ostend on the night of 9th/10th
May, 1918 (excerpts)
2.—Aerial
photographs taken prior to the operation clearly showed that the enemy had made
special preparations in anticipation of a renewed attack.
3.—The
operation was carried out in mined waters in the face of a tremendous fire, and
the greatest credit is due to those who so readily volunteered for hazardous
service in the Vindictive and in motor launches detailed for rescue work, and
to the crews of the numerous craft which covered and screened the approach of the
Vindictive, led her to her objective, and rescued the survivors of her crew
after she had been blown up between the piers of Ostend harbour.
The
following Officers, Petty Officers and Men performed specially distinguished service in action on the
night of 9th/10th May,
1918: — (excerpts)
Lieut.
Geoffrey H. Drummond, R.N.V.R.
Volunteered
for rescue work in command of M.L. 254 (above, sister launch ML.482 (AH)). Following Vindictive to Ostend,
when off the piers a shell burst on board, killing Lieutenant Gordon Ross and
Deckhand J. Thomas, wounding the coxswain, and also severely wounding
Lieutenant Drummond in three places. Notwithstanding his wounds
he remained on the bridge, navigated his vessel, which was already seriously
damaged by shell fire, into Ostend
harbour, placed her
alongside Vindictive, and took off two officers and thirty-eight men—some of
whom were killed and many wounded while embarking. When informed that there was
no one alive left on board he backed his vessel out clear of the piers before
sinking exhausted from his wounds. When H.M.S. Warwick fell in with M.L. 254
off Ostend half an hour
later the latter was in a sinking condition. It was due to the indomitable
courage of this very gallant officer that the majority of the crew of the
Vindictive were rescued.
Lieut.
Roland Bourke, D.S.O., R.N.V.R. (Canada)
Volunteered
for rescue work in command of M.L. 276 (above, sister
launch ML.83 (AH)), and followed Vindictive into Ostend, engaging the enemy's machine guns on both
piers with Lewis guns. After M.L. 254 had backed out
Lieutenant Bourke (left (AH)) laid his vessel alongside Vindictive to
make further search. Finding no one he withdrew, but hearing cries in
the water he again entered the harbour,
and after a prolonged search eventually found Lieutenant Sir John Alleyne and two ratings, all
badly wounded, in the water, clinging to an upended skiff, and rescued them.
During all this time the motor launch was under a very heavy fire at close
range, being hit in fifty-five places, once by a 6 in. shell—two of her small
crew being killed and others wounded. The vessel was seriously damaged and
speed greatly reduced .
Lieutenant Bourke, however, managed to bring her out and carry on until he fell
in with a Monitor, which took him in tow. This episode displayed daring and
skill of a very high order, and Lieutenant Bourke's bravery and perseverance
undoubtedly saved the lives of Lieutenant Alleyne and two of the Vindictive's crew.
Lieut.
Victor A. C. Crutchley,
D.S.C., R.N.
This officer
was in Brilliant in the unsuccessful attempt to block Ostend on the night of 22nd/23rd April, and at once
volunteered for a further effort. He acted as 1st Lieut, of Vindictive, and worked with untiring
energy fitting out that ship for further service. On the night of 9th/10th May,
after his commanding officer had been killed and the second in command severely
wounded, Lieut. Crutchley
took command of Vindictive and did his utmost by manoeuvring the engines to place that ship in an
effective position. He displayed great bravery both in the Vindictive and in
M.L. 254, which rescued the crew after the charges had been blown and the
former vessel sunk between the piers of Ostend harbour, and did not himself
leave the Vindictive until he had made a thorough search with an electric torch
for survivors under a very heavy fire. Lieut,
Crutchley took command of
M.L. 254 when the commanding officer sank exhausted from his wounds, the second
in command having been killed. The vessel was full of wounded and very
seriously damaged by shell fire, the fore part being flooded. With indomitable
energy and by dint of baling with buckets and shifting weight aft, Lieut. Crutchley and the unwounded kept
her afloat, but the leaks could not be kept under, and she was in a sinking
condition, with her forecastle nearly awash when picked up by H.M.S. Warwick.
The bearing of this very gallant officer and fine seaman throughout these
operations off the Belgian coast was altogether admirable and an inspiring
example to all thrown in contact with him.
The London
Gazette 28
August 1918 (continued)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officers in
recognition of their gallantry and devotion to duty as described in the
foregoing despatch:—
Lieut.-Cdr.
Geoffrey Heneage Drummond,
R.N.V.R.
Lieut.-Cdr.
Roland Bourke, D.S.O., R.N.V.R.
Lieut.
Victor Alexander Charles Crutchley,
D.S.C., R.N.
30 July 1918 - Lieutenant Harold AUTEN RNR,
HM Q-Ship Stock Force (coaster, 732grt), English Channel (above - HMS
Hyderabad, the only purpose-built Q-Ship, but here in a HQ-Ship role with with North Russian Expeditionary Force in 1919. She was of
a similar tonnage to HMS Stock Force (GS))
The London Gazette 14 September 1918 (from the Admiralty, S.W.)
HONOURS FOR SERVICES IN ACTION WITH ENEMY SUBMARINES.
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the following honours, decorations, and medals
to the undermentioned
Officers and Men for services in action with enemy submarines: —
To
receive the Victoria Cross.
Lieut.
Harold Auten, D.S.C.,
R.N.R.
The London
Gazette 20
November 1918 (from the Admiralty)
With
reference to announcements of the award of the Victoria Cross to naval officers
and men for services in action with enemy submarines, the following (is the
account of the action for which this award was made) —
Action of
H.M.S. Stock Force, on the
30th July 1918.
H.M.S. Stock
Force, under the command of Lieutenant Harold Auten, D.S.C., R.N.R., was torpedoed by an enemy
submarine at 5 p.m.
on the 30th
July, 1918. The torpedo struck the ship
abreast No. 1 hatch, entirely wrecking the fore part of the ship, including the
bridge, and wounding three ratings. A tremendous shower of planks, unexploded
shells, hatches and other debris followed the explosion, wounding the first
lieutenant (Lieutenant E. J. Grey, R.N.R.) and the navigating officer
(Lieutenant L. E. Workman, R.N.R.) and adding to the injuries of the foremost
gun's crew and a number of other ratings. The ship settled down forward,
flooding the foremost magazine and between decks to the depth of about three
feet. Panic party, in charge of Lieutenant Workman, R.N.R., immediately
abandoned ship, and the wounded were removed to the lower deck, where the
surgeon (Surgeon Probationer G. E. Strahan,
R.N.V.R.), working up to his waist in water, attended to their injuries. The
captain, two guns' crews and the engine-room staff remained at their posts.
The
submarine then came to the surface ahead of the ship half a mile distant, and
remained there a quarter of an hour, apparently watching the ship for any
doubtful movement. The ''panic party” in
the boat accordingly commenced to row back towards the ship in an endeavour to
decoy the submarine within range of the hidden guns. The submarine
followed, coming slowly down the port side of the Stock Force, about three
hundred yards away. Lieutenant Auten,
however, withheld his fire until she was abeam, when both of his guns could
bear. Fire was opened at 5.40 p.m.; the first shot carried away one of the
periscopes, the second round hit the conning tower, blowing it away and
throwing the occupant high into the air. The next round struck the submarine on
the water-line, tearing her open and blowing out a number of the crew.
The enemy
then subsided several feet into the water and her bows rose. She thus presented
a large and immobile target into which the Stock Force poured shell after shell
until the submarine sank by the stern, leaving a quantity of debris on the
water. During the whole of the action one man (Officer's Steward, 2nd Class, R.
J. Starling) remained pinned down under the foremost gun after the explosion of
the torpedo, and remained there cheerfully and without complaint, although the
ship was apparently sinking, until the end of the action.
The Stock
Force was a vessel of 360 tons, and despite the severity of the shock sustained
by the officers and men when she was torpedoed and the fact that her bows were
almost obliterated, she was kept afloat by the exertions of her ship's company
until 9.25 p.m. She then sank with colours
flying, and the officers and men were taken off by two torpedo boats and a
trawler. The action was cited as one of the finest examples of coolness,
discipline and good organisation
in the history of Q ships.
(The award
of the Victoria Cross to Lieutenant Harold Auten, D.S.C., R.N.R., was announced in London
Gazette No. 30900, dated the 14th September, 1918.)
21-25 August and 4 September 1918 -
Commander Daniel BEAK RNVR, Drake Battalion, RN Division, France
The London Gazette 15 November 1918 (from the War Office).
His Majesty
the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria
Cross to the undermentioned
Officers, Non-commissioned Officers and Men (including): —
T./Comdr.
Daniel Marcus William Beak, D.S.O., M.C., R.N.V.R.
For most conspicuous bravery, courageous leadership
and devotion to duty during a prolonged period of operations.
He led his men in attack, and, despite heavy machine-gun fire, four enemy
positions were captured. His skilful and fearless leadership resulted in the
complete success of this operation and enabled other battalions to reach their
objectives.
Four days
later, though dazed by a shell fragment, in the absence of the brigade
commander, he reorganised
the whole brigade under extremely heavy gun fire and led his men with splendid
courage to their objective. An attack having been held up he rushed forward,
accompanied by only one runner, and succeeded in breaking up a nest of machine
guns, personally bringing back nine or ten prisoners. His fearless example
instilled courage and confidence in his men, who then quickly resumed the
advance under his leadership.
On a
subsequent occasion he displayed great courage and powers of leadership in
attack, and his initiative, coupled with the confidence with which he inspired
all ranks, not only enabled his own and a neighbouring unit to advance, but contributed very
materially to the success of the Naval Division in these operations.
2 September 1918
(including)
- Chief Petty Officer George PROWSE RNVR, Drake Battalion, RN Division,
France
The London
Gazette 30
October 1918 (from the War Office)
His Majesty
the KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria
Cross to the undermentioned
Officers, Chief Petty Officer, N.C.O.'s
and Man (including): —
No. WZ/424
Chief Petty Officer George Prowse, R.N.V.R. (Landore).
For most conspicuous bravery and devotion to duty
when, during an advance, a portion of his company became disorganised by heavy machine-gun fire from an enemy strong point.
Collecting what men were available he led them with great coolness and bravery
against this strong point, capturing it together with twenty-three prisoners
and five machine-guns. Later, he took a patrol forward in face of much enemy
opposition, and established it on important high ground. On another occasion he
displayed great heroism by attacking single-handed an ammunition limber which
was trying to recover ammunition, killing three men who accompanied it and
capturing the limber. Two days later he rendered valuable services when
covering the advance of his company with a Lewis-gun section, and located later
on two machine-gun positions in a concrete emplacement, which were holding up
the advance of the battalion on the right. With complete disregard of personal
danger he rushed forward with a small party and attacked and captured these
posts, killing six enemy and taking thirteen prisoners and two machine guns. He
was the only survivor of this gallant party, but by this daring and heroic
action he enabled the battalion on the right to push forward without further
machine-gun fire from the village. Throughout the whole operations his
magnificent example and leadership were an inspiration to all, and his courage
was superb.
1 9 1 9
17 June
1919 - Lieutenant Augustine AGAR RN, HM CMB
4, Kronstadt (above - CMB
of similar type with the North Russian Expeditionary Force in 1919 (GS))
The London Gazette 22 August, 1919 (from the Admiralty, S.W.)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to
Lieutenant Augustine Wellington Shelton Agar .R.N.,
in
recognition of his conspicuous gallantry, coolness and skill under extremely
difficult conditions in action.
The London
Gazette 9 April
1920 (from the Admiralty)
HMS Delhi at Devonport,
9th
February, 1920.
I have the honour to forward herewith this
my report on my year's Service in Command of His Majesty's Naval Forces in the
Baltic, where I relieved Rear-Admiral Sir Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair, K.C.B., M.V.O., 6th
January, 1919. (excerpts)
34. In order
to deal with any attempt by heavy ships to break out—as well as to maintain an
effective, patrol on the entrance to Petrograd Bay, I considered it advisable to
lay mines so as to restrict the movements of the enemy, and this was done by
Princess Margaret (Captain Harry H. Smyth, C.M.G., D.S.O.) and the 20th
Destroyer Flotilla (Captain (D) Berwick Curtis, C.B., D.S.O.).
35. On 17th
June our lookouts reported a Cruiser (Oleg) and two Destroyers at anchor West
of Kronstadt, and also a
Submarine moving Westward.
36. A few
minutes after midnight
a sudden burst of firing was heard by our outpost Destroyers, which, as
suddenly ceased, and next day Lieutenant Augustine W. S. Agar, R.N., informed
me that he had torpedoed the Cruiser Oleg at anchor, the torpedo hitting, her
about the foremost funnel, and came under heavy fire from the Destroyers on retiring.
18 August 1919 - Commander Claude DOBSON RN, HM
CMB 31, Lieutenant
Gordon STEELE RN, HM CMB
88, Kronstadt (above - CMB's of the same
type with the North Russian Expeditionary Force in 1919 (GS))
The London Gazette 11
November 1919 (from the Admiralty, S.W.)
The KING has
been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Victoria Cross to the undermentioned Officers:—
Commander
Claude Congreve Dobson, D.S.O., R.N.
For most conspicuous gallantry, skill and devotion to
duty on the occasion of the attack on Kronstadt Harbour on the
18th August, 1919. Commander
Dobson organised and was in
command of the Coastal Motor Boat Flotilla. He led the flotilla through the
chain of forts to the entrance of the harbour.
Coastal Motor Boat No. 31, from which he directed the general operations, then
passed in, under a very heavy machine-gun fire, and torpedoed the Bolshevik
Battleship Andrei Pervozanni,
subsequently returning through the heavy fire of the forts and batteries to the
open sea.
Lieutenant
Gordon Charles Steele, R.N.
For most. conspicuous gallantry, skill and
devotion to duty on the occasion of the attack on Kronstadt
Harbour
on the 18th
August, 1919. Lieutenant Steele was
second-in-command of H.M. Coastal Motor Boat No. 88. After this boat had entered
the harbour the Commanding
Officer, Lieutenant Dayrell-Reed,
was shot through the head and the boat thrown off her course. Lieutenant Steele
took the wheel, steadied the boat, lifted Lieutenant Dayrell-Reed away from the steering and firing
position and torpedoed the Bolshevik battleship Andrei Pervozanni at a hundred yards range. He had then a
difficult manoeuvre to
perform to get a clear view of the battleship Petropavlovsk,
which was overlapped by the .Andrei Pervozanni
and obscured by smoke coming from that ship. The evolution, however, was skilfully carried out, and the Petropavlovsk
torpedoed. This left Lieutenant. Steele with only just room to turn, in order
to regain the entrance to the harbour,
but he effected the movement with success and firing his machine guns along the
wall on his way, passed under the line of forts through a heavy fire out of the
harbour.
The London
Gazette 9 April
1920 (from the Admiralty)
HMS Delhi at Devonport,
9th
February, 1920.
I have the honour to forward herewith this
my report on my year's Service in Command of His Majesty's Naval Forces in the
Baltic, where I relieved Rear-Admiral Sir Edwyn S. Alexander-Sinclair, K.C.B., M.V.O., 6th
January, 1919. (excerpts)
40.
Thereafter continued a close watch on Petrograd Bay, with frequent bombardments
by us of Bolshevik positions on the Southern Shore, and occasional shellings by Fort Krasnaya Gorka and other guns, varied by attacks, by enemy
submarines on our vessels, and intermittent activity by Bolshevik Destroyers
and Minesweepers, with occasional appearances outside the harbour by larger craft.
41. On the
morning of 18th August, with the object of removing, as far as possible, the
threat which existed to our ships and also to the Left Flank of the Russian advance
to Petrograd by the
presence of the Bolshevik Active .Squadron, an attack on the ships in Kronstadt by Coastal Motor Boats
and Aircraft was made.
42. The
position of the ships in the harbour
had been ascertained by aerial photographs. Frequent bombing raids on the harbour had also been made at
varying times in the weeks beforehand.
43. The
attack was planned so that all available aircraft co-operated under Squadron
Leader D. G. Donald, A.F.C., R.A.F., and that they should arrive and bomb the harbour so as to drown the noise
of the approach of the Coastal Motor Boats.
44. The
time-table was most accurately carried out; with the result that the first
three Coastal Motor Boats, under Commander Claude C. Dobson, D.S.O., passed the
line of Forts and entered the harbour
with scarcely a shot being fired.
45. Each
boat had a definite objective—six in all. Of these six enterprises four were
achieved, the results being gained not only by dauntless disciplined bravery at
the moment of attack, but by strict attention to, and rehearsal of, every
detail beforehand by every member of the personnel, both of the boats and also
of the Air Force.
