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Lot 519
Second World War-Era Ross, London 20° Periscope Sight with Crosshairs – No. 70682.A British military periscope sight manufactured by Ross, London, serial number 70682. This robust brass-bodied optical instrument features fixed 20-degree field of view and internal crosshairs, indicating its use as a direct-fire sighting device—likely fitted to a WWII-era artillery piece or armored vehicle. The cylindrical design suggest it was mounted in a confined or protected space, with provision for bracket or pivot mounting (mount not included).The sight remains in solid, unrestored condition, showing age-related wear consistent with field use. Optics appear complete, with visible crosshairs when viewed through the eyepiece. The item is approx. 66cm long.Marked: “Ross, London No. 70682 20 Degree X|1|2|5 Patent”
Lot 31
A fine Great War submariner’s D.S.M. group of four awarded to Acting Leading Stoker H. Heath, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his services in H.5’s spectacular destruction of the U-51 off the Weser in July 1916; sadly, he was still serving in H.5 at the time of her loss in Caernarfon Bay in March 1918 when, mistaken for a U-boat, she was rammed and sunk by the S.S. Rutherglen Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (K.946. H. Heath, Act. Lg. Sto. H.M. Sub. 14. July. 1916.); 1914-15 Star (K.946, H. Heath, Act. L. Sto., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (K.946 H. Heath. L. Sto. R.N.) the B.W.M. officially re-impressed, together with Memorial Plaque (Herbert Heath) in its card envelope, nearly extremely fine (5) £1,800-£2,200 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- D.S.M. London Gazette 6 September 1916 Herbert Heath was born in Poplar, London on 13 February 1889 and entered the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class in July 1908. By the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, and having volunteered for submarines, he was serving as a Stoker 1st Class in C.4, and he remained likewise employed until April 1915, when he came ashore to Dolphin. In October 1915, Heath returned to sea with an appointment in H.5, under Lieutenant C. H. Varley, R.N., then operating in the 8th Submarine Flotilla out of Yarmouth. And he was quickly called to action stations in April 1916, when Admiral Scheer mounted another of his raids against the east coast, on this occasion his battle cruisers bombarding Yarmouth and Lowestoft. But for H.5’s intervention, they may have been more costly attacks, because on spotting her periscope as she closed them, the enemy chose to beat a hasty retreat. But it was for H.5’s subsequent and spectacular attack on the U-51 in July 1916 that Heath was awarded his D.S.M. Varley had been ordered to patrol off Terschelling - an area ‘not worth a damn’ in his forthright opinion - and, so, disregarding his orders, he took G.5 off to more promising hunting grounds, his first port of call being Borkum. As it happened, Borkum was also bereft of potential targets, but, in the evening of the 13th, he sighted a flotilla of enemy destroyers. Varley dived to attack but his prey was running at speed and his torpedoes missed. Moreover, H.5’s periscope was causing problems, so much so that it took three ratings to turn it for routine sweeps. Painfully aware of the implication of his avoidance of patrol orders and his empty ‘bag’, Varley chose not to turn back and, on the morning of the 14th, his perseverance was rewarded. Edwin Gray’s Underwater War takes up the story: ‘U-51 was sighted as she left her base for an Atlantic patrol and H.5 stalked her carefully. Finally Varley closed the range to 600 yards and his torpedo blew the enemy submarine out of the water in a spectacular explosion. Anxious to obtain some evidence of his success the young Lieutenant came to the surface to pick up prisoners but German patrols which had rushed to the spot at high speed opened fore and forced him to dive. The shallow waters of the Bight nearly became H.5’s grave and, before long, the submarine was rocking under the continual detonation of depth-charges. The Germans also used a wire-sweep which the crew heard scrape along the entire length of the hull but somehow survived and Varley finally headed for home - more than a little apprehensive of his reception. Despite his success against the U-51 Varley got a rocket from his flotilla captain who, at the time, was seriously considering the possibility of having the young Lieutenant court-martialled. Varley, himself, was unrepentant and made only a half-hearted apology in his patrol report: ‘I very much regret to report my slight transgression from orders … ’ Fortunately the flotilla captain knew the strains and frustrations which his commanders had to endure and in his report to the Admiralty he showed that he, too, was on Varley’s side. ‘Lieutenant Varley is a very able and gallant submarine officer,’ he wrote, ‘and although there is no possible excuse for disregarding his orders … it is submitted that his skilful and successful attack on an enemy submarine may be taken into consideration … [and] be considered in mitigation of the offence.’ Varley remained in the Admiralty dog-house for a year until he had, ‘in Their Lordships’ view, done sufficient penance. Then in belated recognition of his gallantry he was awarded the D.S.O..’ H.5’s triumphant return to Yarmouth was notable for it being the first occasion a British submarine had been captured flying the ‘Jolly Roger’ on camera. Tragically, however - and command having devolved to Lieutenant A. W. Forbes, D.S.O., R.N. - H.5 was lost with all hands on 2 March 1918. News of that loss was first reported in a message received by Vice-Admiral Sir Lewis Bayley, Admiral Commanding Western Approaches. Ironically, the message was sent by an ex-submariner V.C., Captain Martin Nasmith, of the S.S. Rutherglen: ‘S.S. Rutherglen has rammed a submarine at 20.30 hours on the 2 March within position Lat. 53 4’ N, Long. 4 40’ W. The submarine was crossing bow at considerable speed. After collision cries were heard and men seen in the water, also there was a strong smell of petrol vapour. Forepeak of Rutherglen is flooded.’ On 28 July 1919, the British Prize Court awarded the crew of H.5 a £175 bounty for the sinking of U-51. Heath has no known grave and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial. Sold with copied research.
Lot 307
The 'Dardanelles and Bulgarian Coast Minesweeping 1918' D.S.O. group of five awarded to Commander H. de G. Lamotte, Royal Navy in command of H.M.S. CraigieHe served on the former torpedo gunboat H.M.S Seagull earlier in the war on minesweeping dutiesDistinguished Service Order, G.V.R., with integral top ribbon bar; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (Lieut. H. De. G. Lamotte. R.N. H.M.S. Prosperine); 1914-15 Star (Lt. Commr. H. De G. Lamotte. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Commr. H. De G. Lamotte. R.N.), very fine (5)D.S.O. London Gazette 17 October 1919, the original recommendation states:'H.M.S. Craigie. Displayed great skill and coolness in handling the twin screw sweepers under his orders. The conditions were difficult and at times hazardous and it is largely owing to the magnificent work done by the twin screw sweepers that a channel through the Dardanelles has been cleared of mines.'Harold de Gallye Lamotte was born at Kingston on Thames on 2 December 1882, the son of barrister William de Gallye Lamotte. He joined H.M.S. Brittania as a Midshipman on 15 January 1900 and was appointed Sub. Lieutenant 15 January 1903. Given his first command appointment on 14 July 1904 Lamotte joined H.M.T.B. 45, a first-class torpedo boat, and was subsequently advanced to Lieutenant on15 January 1905.His next appointment was aboard Prosperine from July 1910 until August 1912 chasing gun runners in the Merran coast and qualifying for his Naval General Service Medal. On 15 January 1913 he was advanced to Lieutenant-Commander.Seagull and MuskerryAfter a period of training, Lamotte was given his next command appointment of H.M.S. Seagull, a former torpedo gunboat which had been converted to a minesweeper on 17 December 1914.Seagull joined the newly established Grand Fleet. The old torpedo gunboats such as Seagull were not well suited to continual use in the rough waters around Scapa Flow, and in July 1915 Seagull and sister ship Spanker were deployed to Harwich to sweep ahead of the Harwich Force when it went to sea.On 15 February 1917 Seagull was east of Aldeburgh when a periscope, probably of the German submarine UC-1, was spotted. Seagull dropped two depth charges on the wake of the periscope. He left Seagull on 22 May 1917 to command Muskerry from June 1917 until March 1918.CraigieLamotte was given command of Craigie on 26 July 1918. A Hunt-class minesweeper she was launched on 29 May 1918 and from November 1918 was based in the Adriatic arriving in Mudros on 24 May 1919 before sailing for Kephalo for further minesweeping duties. Lamotte remained aboard her until 23 November 1919 and was rewarded the D.S.O.He retired from the service at his own request on 29 September 1920 and was invested with his D.S.O. at Buckingham Place on 12 October 1920. Promoted to the rank of Commander (retired) on 2 December 1922, Lamotte was honoured with the Freedom of the City of London in 1927.Lamotte died on 3 June 1960 at a nursing home in Morden; sold together with copied research.…
Lot 103
A WWI ROSS OF LONDON TRENCH PERISCOPE AND A COMPASS The No.14 brass trench periscope, by Ross of London, No.5925; together with a Henry Browne & Son Ltd brass compass, with leather case The periscope 42cm long Ownership Statement: This item is offered for sale without disclosing the identity of the owner. For a condition report or further images please email hello@hotlotz.com at least 48 hours prior to the closing date of the auction. This is an auction of preowned and antique items. Many items are of an age or nature which precludes their being in perfect condition and you should expect general wear and tear commensurate with age and use. We strongly advise you to examine items before you bid. Condition reports are provided as a goodwill gesture and are our general assessment of damage and restoration. Whilst care is taken in their drafting, they are for guidance only. We will not be held responsible for oversights concerning damage or restoration.
Lot 58
A Great War anti-U-boat operations D.S.M. group of three awarded to 2nd Hand J. H. Crumpton, Royal Naval Reserve, who was decorated for his gallant deeds in the Sea King – ex-Q-ship Remexo - in June 1917, when she successfully attacked with depth charges and sank the UC-66 off the Lizard Distinguished Service Medal G.V.R. (SD.3186 J. H. Crumpton, 2nd Hd. R.N.R. “Sea King” English Channel, 12 June 1917); British War and Victory Medals (SD.3186 J. H. Crumpton. 2nd Hd. R.N.R.) mounted court-style for display, nearly extremely fine (3) £1,200-£1,600 (3) £1,200-£1,600 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- D.S.M. London Gazette 31st July 1919: ‘For services in action with enemy submarines.’ Note: Award delayed as destruction of submarine not confirmed until May 1919. Jesse Henry Crumpton was born in Rochester, Kent on 25 June 1883, and enrolled in the Royal Naval Reserve in November 1915. He saw no seagoing service until the following year, when he served in H.M. Trawlers Moray and Lorna Doone, following which, in May 1917, he joined the Sea King (Ex-Q-ship Remexo) under Lieutenant-Commander Godfrey Herbert, D.S.O., R.N.; the latter had already gained notoriety for his uncompromising command of the Q-ship Baralong, not least in her close encounter with the U-27 in August 1915. Of Sea King’s subsequent action against the UC-66 in the Channel on 12 June 1917, Keeble Chatterton’s Amazing Adventure takes up the story: ‘Admiral Luard, the Senior Naval Officer at Falmouth, had received a report that night of a submarine's presence somewhere near the Lizard and ordered Herbert's flotilla off to sea. This sudden alteration of routine, after coming into port and stand-off, was something of a surprise. Men were below taking their well-earned rest and looking forward to a walk ashore in the morning. “I immediately sent a signal to prepare for sea,” Herbert still remembers, “but had some difficulty getting the orders to my friend Buchanan in the Sea Sweeper. After several attempts failed, I fired my revolver at his waterline, which quickly did the trick and we sailed on time.” Through the dark and still summer’s night they all four steamed out past old Pendennis Castle, Helford River’s mouth, the Manacles, and so to the Gaunt Lizard. “We spent a gorgeous middle-watch in perfect weather, and at sunrise I thought to myself how many City workers would have given £10 a minute to be yachting with us.” The dark hours passed, and the dawn of a beautiful day revealed the channel in its kinder mood with shipping going up and down on its lawful occasions. No submarine, however, in sight! Perhaps just one more of those numerous yarns which never came to anything? None the less, you could never be sure, and it was generally supposed that somewhere between the Lizard and Kynance Cove U-boats were fond of going to rest on the bottom. So long as she was down below with engines stopped these four Trawlers would only waste their hours. Besides, the sun had risen, it was time the enemy rose likewise and did something. So Herbert decided to wake him up. “At 4.30 a.m.,” he relates, “I dropped a baby depth charge on a known submarine resting ground not far from Kynance Cove, with the objective of stirring to life any somnolent Hun and incidentally, desiring some fresh fish for breakfast.” During the forenoon, all four trawlers were keeping watch south of the Lizard, listening keenly with their hydrophones. So far nothing had been seen, nothing heard. The Sea King and her sisters seemed to have been brought on a fool’s errand. But at 11.30 a.m. when 2½ miles south east of the headland, “I spotted about 400 yards away, two or three points off my port bow, the periscope, stanchion, and jumper stay of a submarine travelling westward at about 4 or 5 knots. Having seen that stay, I could judge her course much more easily than if only her periscope had been visible. I concluded that her captain had probably just been taking a bearing from the Lizard, and as I turned towards him he dived. At once I hoisted in the Sea King a signal to turn eight points, though this was not taken by all the flotilla. But we all wasted not a second letting-go 16 large depth charges and 64 smaller ones. “It was an exciting moment whilst these were exploding. There was very little time for any signals, and the manner in which the whole flotilla dropped their bombs was admirable. No one could tell exactly where the enemy existed: all I knew was that she lay very near, and it was a barrage which did the trick. Every charge detonated perfectly, all explosions were very heavy, and one sent up water three times the height of any others.” As the tide off the Lizard has, at its maximum, a velocity of 3 knots, a fresh breeze blowing against this soon kicks up a nasty sea. For most of the year there will be found off here a rough tumble of waves and unpleasant jobble: the worst conditions for hydrophone operations. This forenoon, however, the tide was running at about 2 knots to the eastward, and everything remained calm under the favourable weather. To leeward of the enemy there rose up a quantity of oil. The depth charges had beyond all questioning, burst the submarine, set off her mines and torpedoes. Not one German body came to the surface. “The Admiralty instructions,” adds Herbert facetiously, “were very carefully designed to prevent more than one large depth charge being ready at any given moment. Whilst each of us had four, the official orders were that one of these big types was to be ready on deck, but the remainder below unprimed. However, I realized that such levels of precaution were not warranted and, consequently, we all kept our big charges primed and ready “in case”. During the general melee which followed my signal ordering a turn to port, we somehow managed to have one collision, through a helmsman’s misunderstanding, but the damage was very slight. After the sea had regained its calm from the underwater disturbance, we stopped our engines and listened on our hydrophones. It was ideal for hearing any movement, but nothing came through, not a sound reached us. Had she survived, our expert listeners would certainly have detected her under way. The depth at this spot was 40 fathoms, so she could not have rested on the bottom voluntarily. Finally, after hanging about the locality during several hours, we returned to Falmouth, were I reported the affair to Admiral Luard.” Months passed, the Armistice came and went, and at the end of May 1919 - almost two years since the event - an official letter reached Herbert from the Lords of the Admiralty “that it is now known that the submarine in question, UC-66, commanded by Herbert Pustkuchen, was destroyed with the loss of all hands.” This announcement set every doubt at rest, although as a submarine officer himself he had been convinced all the while that the German perished utterly. During the year 1917, Herbert had been at last promoted to Commander, and now for his Lizard victory received a Bar to his Baralong D.S.O. Lieutenant Buchanan was awarded the D.S.C. and two of the crew the D.S.M.’ And one of them was Crumpton, who was demobilised in March 1919.
Lot 1440
Postcards, Naval Comic, a naval comic collection of approx. 40 cards. Artists include Hilton, Kennedy, Ibbetson, Hamish, G.A.S, Jack Kettle, Christie, Gilson, Carnell, Spurgin, Gilmour etc. Themes include man overboard, marriage, romance, guns, periscope, letter home, boxing, drunk, drill, on leave, 'The Bosun' etc (mainly gd)
Lot 234
Military silver plate and ebonised swagger stick, an early 20th century mahogany and gilt brass four-draw telescope engraved Wellington Crown Court, Soho, London, 37cm long (extended), a pocket monocular periscope, a Dollond of London leather and gilt brass four-draw telescope, 46.5cm long (extended), cased Zenith 8x25 binoculars and a cow's horn mounted with a crest
Lot 388
1982 Sega SubRoc-3D first-person shooter video game arcade cockpit. The first commercial video game in stereoscopic 3-D, using a periscope-shaped display with a different image for each eye. The gameplay involves switching between firing at underwater and air enemies. Visual condition: in good visual condition, showing wear. Technical condition: in very good playable condition. Dimensions (H x W x D): 170 x 68 x 158 cm. Location: The Netherlands, Tilburg. Video link: youtu.be/-9Hbv5tXr_A
Lot 318
C.P. Stirns Photographische Geheim-Camera Nr. 1, 1886C.P. Stirn, Berlin. D.R.P. 38391, Nickel, Serien-Nr. 3390, für 6 Aufnahmen von 4,1 cm. Größe der Kamera: Ø 14,8 cm. Periskop-Objektiv, abschraubbarer Frontkragen fehlt, Guillotineverschluß läuft gut. – Dabei: Seltene Karte mit 2 Kontaktabzügen der Stirn-Kamera! Start Price: EUR 450 Zustand: (3-/3)Stirn's Concealed Vest Camera No. 1, 1886C.P. Stirn, Berlin. D.R.P. 38391, no. 3029, nickel-plated, for 6 exposures of 4.1 cm, with periscope lens, removable front collar missing, guillotine shutter releases well, camera diameter 14.8 cm. – In addition: Rare card with 2 contact prints of the Stirn camera! Start Price: EUR 450 Condition: (3-/3)
Lot 5125
WW1 British Private Purchase Officers Trench Periscope by "G & L" with original brown painted finish, trade marked at each end, overall length 543mm. Working order. Complete with original canvas and leather cover with belt loop. No other markings: Along with a collection of Scots Guards uniform buttons and officers rank pips in an Arny & Navy Cigarette tin.
Lot 191
Boxed TM Masudaya battery operated Moon Rocket, Japanese 1950s, lithographed in various bright colours with pilot to cockpit and scarce astronaut with periscope to top, non-fall action with lights, noise and rotating astronaut, L. 23cm (9 inches) long, in near mint working original condition, illustrated lidded box, with inner packing, is in excellent original condition.
Lot 57
A fine Great War D.S.M. group of four awarded to Able Seaman N. L. Rae, H.M. Submarine B11, Royal Navy, for his gallantry during the sinking of the Ottoman battleship Messudiyeh in the Sea of Marmora on 13 December 1914 - all the crew of the B11 were valiant, with her captain, Lieutenant N. D. Holbrook, being awarded the V.C.; her second in command, Lieutenant S. T. Winn, the D.S.O.; and the entire of the rest of the crew the D.S.M. Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (232229 N. L. Rae. A.B., H.M. Submarine. B.11.); 1914-15 Star (232229, N. L. Rae, A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (232229 N. L. Rae. A.B. R.N.) good very fine (4) £3,000-£4,000 --- V.C. London Gazette 22 December 1914: Lieutenant Norman Douglas Holbrook, Royal Navy ‘For most conspicuous bravery on the 13th December 1914, when in command of the Submarine B.11, he entered the Dardanelles, and, notwithstanding the very difficult current, dived his vessel under five rows of mines and torpedoed the Turkish battleship Messudiyeh, which was guarding the mine-field. Lieutenant Holbrook succeeded in bringing the B.11 safely back, although assailed by gun-fire and torpedo boats, having been submerged on one occasion for nine hours.’ D.S.O. London Gazette 22 December 1914: Lieutenant Sydney Thornhill Winn ‘In respect of his services as second in command of Submarine B.11 which torpedoed the Turkish battleship Messudiyeh in the Dardanelles on the 13th December 1914.’ D.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1915: Able Seaman Norman Lester Rae, O.N., 232229 (in a joint citation with Petty Officer William Charles Milsom, O.N., 182452; Petty Officer Thomas Henry Davey, O.N., 215464; Chief Engine Room Artificer, 2nd Class, John Harding, O.N., 270410; Engine Room Artificer, 1st Class, Anthony Douglas, O.N., 270773; Stoker Petty Officer Patrick McKenna, O.N., 284570; Leading Seaman Alfred Edmund Perry, O.N., 234677; Leading Seaman Wilfrid Charles Mortimer, O.N., 219476; Able Seaman George Read, O.N., 231010; Able Seaman Edward Buckle, O.N., 237869; Able Seaman Tom Blake, O.N., J.1383; Signalman Frederick George Foote, O.N., J.1862; Acting Leading Stoker John Henry Sowdeii, O.N., 308448; and Stoker, 1st Class, Stephen James Lovelady, O.N., K.2240). ‘For service in the Dardanelles in Submarine B.11 on the 13th December 1914.’ Norman Lester Rae was born in Basingstoke on 19 August 1888 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Second Class on 15 September 1904. Advanced Able Seaman on 24 April 1908, he served during the Great War in the submarine B.11 under the command of Lieutenant N. D. Holbrook. Following the outbreak of the Great War, H.M. Submarine B.11, a rather primitive vessel launched on 21 February 1906, with a crew of two officer and 14 ratings, was redeployed from Malta to Tenedos, an island just south of the entrance to the Dardanelles, joining the fleet monitoring the entrance of the Dardanelles. When Britain formally declared war on Turkey on 5 November 1914 it was decided to probe the Straits from here, although they were known to be heavily defended by minefields and shore batteries, while fierce currents made them hazardous to navigate. On 13 December 1914 B.11 submerged a mile off Cape Helles at the western end of the Straits and, having dived under five rows of mines through uncharted currents, eventually reached Sari Sighlar Bay, south of Chanak on the Asian shore. Here she discovered the Turkish battleship Messudiyeh at anchor, which was carrying more than 700 men. firing a single torpedo from a distance of 750 metres, the torpedo hit the ship’s stern, causing her to capsize and sink, with the loss of 10 officers and 27 other ranks. Despite very heavy Turkish fire B.11 succeeded in returning safely to Tenedos; the return journey taking over eight hours, with any attempt to use the periscope resulting in heavy fire being brought to bear on her. For their great gallantry in attacking and sinking the Messudiyeh, all the crew of the B.11 were decorated; her captain, Lieutenant N. D. Holbrook was awarded the Victoria Cross; her second in command, Lieutenant S. T. Winn, was awarded the Distinguished Service Order; and all fourteen ratings (including Rae) were awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. They were also awarded £3,500 of prize money, with Holbrook receiving £600; Winn £480; the Petty Officers £240; and the seamen £120. For Rae and the other seamen this was the equivalent of almost three years’ pay. Rae served in various other submarines and shore based establishments for the rest of the War, and was shore demobilised on 27 March 1919. He subsequently emigrated to South Africa. Sold with a presentation pocket watch, by J. W. Benson, London, the outer silver case engraved ‘NLR’ on one side, and ‘Sunk by B11. “Messudiyeh” Dardanelles, Dec. 13. 1914’ on the other; and a hand-written letter written to the recipient from his former skipper, Commander Norman Holbrook, V.C., dated 12 December 1958.
Lot 396
The fine Great War submariner’s D.S.M. group of five awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer 2nd class R. E. Jupp, Royal Navy; decorated for his prominent part in the E. 11’s famous patrol in the Sea of Marmora in May 1915, he was nonetheless reduced from Chief E.R.A. to C.E.R.A. 2 by Nasmith, V.C., for swearing at his No. 1, Lieutenant D’Oyly-Hughes - in normal circumstances Jupp’s punishment might have been far greater, but Nasmith was acutely aware of his value to the E. 11’s operational future Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (272396. R. E. Jupp, E.R.A. 2 Cl. H.M. Submarine E.11.); 1914-15 Star (272396, R. E. Jupp. D.S.M. E.R.A. 2. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (272396 R. E. Jupp. C.E.R.A. 2 R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (272396 R. E. Jupp. C.E.R.A. 2, H.M.S. Lucia), mounted as worn, contact marks and edge bruising, otherwise generally very fine (5) £4,000-£5,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, June 2006. D.S.M. London Gazette 13 September 1915: ‘For service in submarines in the Sea of Marmora.’ The recommendation states: ‘H.M. Submarine Ell Sea of Marmora 18 May to 7 June 1915. Passed through the Dardanelles on night of 18 May. On 23 May sank Ottoman gunboat Peleng-I Derya and on 24 May sank Naval Auxiliary Naga and S.S. Hunkar Iskelesi. On 25 May the transport ship Stamboul was torpedoed. On 28 May S.S. Bandirma was sunk and on 31 May the troop transport S.S. Madeline Rickmers torpedoed. The S.S. Tecielli was sunk on 2 June and finally on 7 June while passing out through the Dardanelles sank troopship S.S. Ceyhan. In total eleven ships were sunk or disabled during the mission.’ Reginald Jupp was born at Horsham, Sussex in October 1884 and entered the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer 4th Class in July 1907. Transferring to the submarine branch in October 1912, he was serving as an Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class at the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914. Jupp was undoubtedly a forceful character, and one who played a vital role in the E. 11’s remarkable patrols in the Sea of Marmora, a contention which is amply supported by the definitive account of those exploits, namely Dardanelles Patrol, by Peter Shankland and Anthony Hunter, which was first published in 1965 - indeed the authors duly acknowledge Jupp’s valuable contribution to their eye-witness material. From the numerous references to him in the text, it is possible, too, to place Jupp aboard the E. 11 from the commencement of hostilities, so he had earlier shared in her gallant attempt to penetrate the Baltic in October 1914, an operation that was hindered by engine trouble and the regular attention of the enemy; nearly rammed by German patrol vessels on the 19th, she returned home on the following day after being spotted by an aircraft that directed a flotilla of destroyers in pursuit of her; and having survived that ordeal, E. 11 was again nearly rammed after delivering an unsuccessful torpedo strike in Heligoland Bight in December of the same year - her target was an enemy ship returning from the bombardment of Scarborough. As recounted in Dardanelles Patrol, Jupp told Nasmith “Bad luck, sir” when it was apparent the torpedoes had missed, the latter responding, “It’s just as well I missed. She was too close. We would have both gone up together. But I’ll tell you this, Jupp, I won’t smoke or drink till I’ve sunk an enemy warship.” Nor did he. Yet it was, of course, for her subsequent deeds in the Dardanelles campaign in 1915, that the E. 11 won undying fame in the annals of submarine warfare, and Reginald Jupp his D.S.M. The spring of 1915 found the E.11 attached to the Fleet in the Mediterranean and, with Lieutenant-Commander Martin Eric Nasmith in command, she proceeded to make history at a rapid rate. It was in the middle of May that she left for her perilous passage through the Dardanelles, and before she was through them she ran into her first encounter with the enemy. When the Narrows had been successfully negotiated, and the submarine rose to get fresh bearings, two battleships were seen to be lying a little further on. Such an opportunity was not to be let slip without an effort, and, necessarily keeping the periscope above water, Lieutenant-Commander Nasmith at once proceeded to put his boat in a suitable position for launching a torpedo. Unfortunately, the Turks sighted the periscope a minute or two too soon, and instantly the battleships began blazing away with their light guns as hard as they could. At the same time they ‘upped anchor’ and got under way, so there was nothing for it but for the E.11 to dive and hide herself until the furore had subsided. She was far too slow to catch the battleships if she ran submerged, and if she rose to the surface she would almost certainly have been breached by a shell. After a little, therefore, she gently settled herself on the bottom of the Straits, and there she remained until dusk. That same evening she pushed on into the Sea of Marmora, where for several days she alternately rested and cruised about without finding anything that was worth the expenditure of a torpedo. Lieutenant-Commander Nasmith made Constantinople the centre of his operations during the whole of this raid, and his first reward came one Sunday morning, just before half-past six, when a big gunboat was seen cruising off the port. The submarine was ready for instant action, and in less than a minute the fatal torpedo was underway. At 6.25 the gunboat was hit; at 6.30 she had sunk, but not without giving the E.11 something of a shock. While she was heeling well over to the water's edge, a shot was fired that went clean through the submarine's periscope, carrying away about four inches of the diameter a few feet from the base, and leaving the rest standing. Had the shot struck about six feet lower, it would very probably have made a breach in the conning tower, and so rendered the submarine helpless, as she would not have been able to dive. The very next day brought an adventure which, if it was not so exciting, at any rate did not lack in interest. A big steamer was sighted making her way from Constantinople towards the Dardanelles, and the E.11 came to the surface a short distance ahead, fired a shot across her bows, and brought her to a standstill. There happened to be a facetious American newspaper correspondent on board, and when Lieutenant-Commander Nasmith hailed “Who are you?” - meaning, of course, to inquire what the ship was and what was her business - this gentleman replied by giving his own name and that of the paper for which he was working. This was not good enough for the E.11. A few more questions elicited the fact that the ship was a Turkish transport, the Nagara, and when he got as far as that, Nasmith promptly replied, “Right. I am going to sink you”. “May we have time to get off?” queried the newspaper man, by this time rather subdued. “Yes”, came the answer from the submarine, “but be d..... quick about it.” The Turks were so quick that they upset two of their boats in lowering them, and capsized several men into the water, though all of them managed to get into safety again. Then Nasmith went on board the ship to see what she carried. There was a six-inch gun, destined to strengthen the forts on the Dardanelles; there were several sets of mountings for weapons of large calibre; and there was a great quantity of ammunition for heavy guns on its way to the Dardanelles. The ship was, in fact, loaded from keel...
Lot 389
The Great War D.S.C. and Bar, A.F.C. group of six awarded to Group Captain V. Gaskell-Blackburn, Royal Air Force, late Royal Naval Air Service, who, having participated in the first ever carrier-borne air strike in 1914, spotted for the Severn and Mersey against the Konigsberg in East Africa and was twice decorated for his gallant deeds in the Kut-el-Amara and Ctesiphon operations of 1915-16 Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., with Second Award Bar, hallmarked London 1915; Air Force Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (Flt. Lieut. V. G. Blackburn, D.S.C. R.N.A.S.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Col. V. Gaskell-Blackburn, R.A.F.); Coronation 1937, mounted as worn, generally good very fine (6) £12,000-£16,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, December 2007. Vivian Gaskell-Blackburn was born in Leeds in 1892 and, shortly after leaving Uppingham, learnt to fly a Bristol biplane at Brooklands, taking his Pilot’s Certificate in September 1913 (No. 617). Commissioned in the Royal Naval Air Service on the outbreak of hostilities, he was quickly in action, piloting an Admiralty Type 74 “Folder” Seaplane in the famous Cuxhaven Raid on Christmas Day 1914, the world’s first carrier air strike. The operation, in essence an air reconnaissance of the Heligoland Bight, including Cuxhaven, was made by nine seaplanes, the pilots and their machines being conveyed to a point about 12 miles to the north of Heligoland before being lowered onto the water from the seaplane carriers Empress, Engadine and Riviera - the Arethusa and Undaunted, and eight destroyers, acted as escort. Seven of the seaplanes rose without any difficulty into the air, but the remaining two machines refused to become airborne with their heavy weight of bombs and had to be swung back on board their parent carriers. The former, with their pilots huddling deeper into their draughty cockpits in the clear, icy air, set course for Cuxhaven. Gaskell-Blackburn’s subsequent experiences, and those of his Observer, C.P.O. Mechanic J. W. Bell, are described in R. D. Layman’s definitive history, The Cuxhaven Raid: ‘After coming under fire from trawlers and destroyers, Gaskell-Blackburn ran into fog that ‘rendered navigation extremely difficult’, so much so that he was unable to tell where he crossed the coastline ... To the north-west he noted a number of destroyers steaming seaward and what appeared to be a British seaplane heading the same direction. Also to the north, Bell observed, were three battlecruisers and about 15 other vessels, all making heavy smoke ... The first three cruisers ‘opened an extremely hot anti-aircraft fire,’ as did the battlecruisers as the Short flew between the two groups of ships. The German fire was accurate for height, but the shells burst behind the planes. He reported, ‘I came then to the outskirts of Wilhelmshaven and was again subjected to an extremely hot anti-aircraft fire ... the most accurate and fiercest fire during the trip.’ A small-calibre shell or a large metal fragment from a heavier missile tore through a main float and damaged a starboard under-carriage strut, damage Bell could see by peering from his cockpit. Gaskell-Blackburn aimed two bombs at what he believed was the land battery responsible; it did not fire again, and my observer reported that he thought we did damage it’ ... With fuel running short, Gaskell-Blackburn decided not to take the return route via Wangeroog and the other Frisian islands, but headed west-north-west over the mainland. The fog closed in again during this inland flight, forcing him to keep to 700 feet. Every time the Short emerged into a momentarily clear patch of sky, he reported, it was fired at by anti-aircraft guns or rifles ... Gaskell-Blackburn reached the coast near Baltrum Island, Norderney’s neighbour to the east, emerging into clear sky, quickly recognising Norderney and heading north to seek the carriers ... ’ Layman next describes Gaskell-Blackburn’s ditching and rescue by the submarine E. 11, the latter already having picked up another pilot: ‘About ten minutes later E. 11’s lookouts spotted an airship to starboard - in fact the Zeppelin L5 commanded by Kapitanleutnant Klaus Hirsch - a complication compounded by the additional arrival of two more R.N.A.S. seaplanes, both dangerously short of fuel (No. 814 crewed by Gaskell-Blackburn and Bell, and No. 815 by Oliver and Bell). Both swept down and landed alongside the submarine, just as Nasmith spotted another looming danger in the form of a periscope (it was, in fact, the British submarine D. 6, hastening to the scene to offer assistance) ... Nasmith, tackling the problem of rescuing four airmen in the face of what appeared to be imminent underwater and aerial attack, acted with the cool-headed precision that would win him fame later in the war. Casting off the tow-line to [Miley’s] No. 120, he manoeuvred E. 11 so close to No. 815 that Oliver and Bell were able to step aboard her, then hailed Gaskell-Blackburn and Bell to swim to the submarine. Doffing their flying clothes and the impedimenta that Malone had insisted upon, they dived from their tilting plane and were hauled, dripping, aboard E. 11. Although the airship was now closing fast, Nasmith was obedient to the orders to destroy abandoned aircraft if possible. Since E. 11, like most British submarines in 1914, as yet lacked a deck gun, he ordered a machine-gun up from below and began to pepper the seaplanes’ floats with it. Oliver joined in with his pistol. Before this fire could have any effect, the aerial menace got too close for comfort, and Nasmith ordered a crash dive. With L5 nearly overhead, he waved his cap defiantly as he made for the conning tower hatch. It has often been claimed that the gesture confused the airshipmen into thinking E. 11 was a U-boat capturing enemy planes and caused them to delay dropping bombs. Gaskell-Blackburn thought so at the time. But there is nothing in German accounts to suggest the gesture was even seen, and Hirsch’s report makes it clear he was quite aware that the submarine was an enemy craft. He saw the rescue of the airmen clearly just before he sent two bombs crashing down. Their explosions shook both E. 11 and D. 6, although the former had time to dive to 40 feet before they went off and the latter was 60 feet down. The men on each submarine thought their boat was the target, but Hirsch’s account indicates he was aiming simply in the general vicinity of the seaplanes and the submerged E. 11, hoping any or all might be damaged. Observing no effect from the bombs, he headed seaward toward the Harwich Force. Nasmith meanwhile took E. 11 down to rest on the seabed, where at 20 fathoms the submariners shared their Christmas turkey and plum pudding with their five unusual guests.’ Gaskell-Blackburn was mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 19 February 1915 refers), and his Observer, C.P.O. Mechanic J. W. Bell, was awarded the D.S.M. In the operations against the Königsberg in East Africa in July 1915, while piloting a Henri Farman biplane out of Mafia Island, Gaskell-Blackburn was commended for his work in spotting the fall of shot from H.M’s monitors Severn and Mersey. And in the following month, on the 15th, he carried out a reconnaissance with Flight Commander Cull, D.S.O., this time in a newly delivered Cauldron G. III aircraft, in order to assess the damage caused the enemy cruiser; an excellent photograph of Gaskell-Blackburn at the helm of his Henri Farman, taken on Mafia Island in July 1915, is in the collection of the Fleet Air Ar...
Lot 452
‘The performance of duty by this rating has had a tremendous effect on the operations carried out by “Torbay” and there have been occasions when his efficiency has saved the submarine from probable disaster.’ High praise indeed. Commander A. C. C. ‘Crap’ Miers, V.C., D.S.O., R.N., in his assessment of Petty Officer Telegraphist E. K. Kember, D.S.M., in August 1942. The Second War submariner’s D.S.M. and Bar group of five awarded to Petty Officer Telegraphist E. K. Kember, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his services in H.M.S. Truant in Norwegian waters in 1940 and in H.M.S. Torbay in the Mediterranean in 1941-42; a key player in the achievements of the latter submarine, which was skippered by V.C.-winning Commander A. C. C. Miers, R.N., he also won a ‘mention’ following Torbay’s part in Operation ‘Flipper’, the ill-fated raid on Rommel’s H.Q. Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R., with Second Award Bar (J. 133432 E. K. Kember, L. Tel., H.M.S. Truant) impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; War Medal 1939-45, with small M.I.D. oak leaf, mounted court-style for display, good very fine (5) £4,000-£5,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- D.S.M. London Gazette 9 May 1940: ‘In recognition of daring, endurance and resource in the conduct of hazardous and successful operations in His Majesty’s Submarines against the enemy.’ Bar to D.S.M. London Gazette 7 July 1942: ‘For gallant service in successful patrols while serving in H.M. Submarine Torbay.’ The original recommendation states: ‘For great skill and exceptional devotion to duty during seven war patrols, as Higher Telegraphist Detector, in H.M.S. Torbay, in the course of which he has brought his department to a very high standard of efficiency, and been responsible on frequent occasions for enemy ships being sighted and subsequently sunk after he has reported the bearing on which to look out. On ten occasions of it being necessary to communicate submerged with other submarines on patrol, to check position or pass intelligence reports, he has been completely successful, sometimes at very long range, and on twelve occasions of carrying out special operations in shallow waters off the enemy coast, or making reconnaissances and attacking shipping in enemy harbours, the efficient working of the supersonic sounding machine, and the ranges obtained by S.S.T. of the beach and coastline have been invaluable. Upon no other rating has so much depended on numerous occasions of enemy A./S. searches, hunts and counter-attacks, and the success of the operations and the safety of the submarine have frequently required him to remain at his post for periods exceeding ten hours without relaxing his vigilance, and on many of these occasions, I have relied implicitly upon him, and never in vain. His alertness on 20 December [1941] when, due to a gyro failure, a torpedo commenced to circle may have saved the submarine, since he gave me warning in time to take the submarine deep.’ Ernest Kynoch Kember was born at Glandford Brigg, Lincolnshire, on 24 February 1914, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy Telegraphist in the early 1930s. Volunteering for submarines in the following year, he qualified as a Higher Telegraphist Detector in September 1938, the same year in which he was advanced to Leading Telegraphist. Shortly after the outbreak of hostilities, he joined H.M. submarine Truant, and he remained likewise employed until February 1941, gaining advancement to Petty Officer Telegraphist and his first D.S.M. in the same period. The latter distinction arose from Truant’s early operations in Norwegian waters and, more specifically, her torpedo strike on the German light cruiser Karlsruhe on 9 April 1940. Truant was positioned off Kristiansand when she launched her attack, one of her torpedoes striking the enemy cruiser amidships on the starboard side, blasting a large hole in her hull and allowing thousands of tons of water to flood in. The flooding disabled her engines and electrical generators, which cut off the power required to operate her pumps. The order to abandon ship was given and the enemy torpedo boat Greif took off her crew before scuttling Karlsruhe with a brace of torpedoes. Kember was next deployed in Truant to the Mediterranean, in which she operated out of Gibraltar, Alexandria and Malta with notable success. In September 1940, she forced the scuttling of the German merchantman Tropic Sea and torpedoed and sank the Italian merchantman Providenza, the latter in a position off Ischia. And in December 1940, in the course of her 14th and 15th war patrols, she torpedoed and sank the Italian merchantman Sebastiano off Calabria and the tanker Bonzo off Punta Stilo, in addition to surviving a depth-charge attack from the Italian torpedo boat Alcione north of Tripoli, an attack that ‘shook Truant considerably. Returning to the U.K. in the new year, Kember joined the Torbay in April 1941, the commencement of his time under Commander A. C. C. ‘Crap’ Miers, R.N., who, over the coming months, would be awarded the V.C. and a brace of D.S.O.s for his aggressive leadership and mounting toll on the enemy. And that toll – and Torbay’s very survival – was largely owing to Kember’s skills as a Higher Telegraphist Director. So, too, in part to Miers’ unusual tactics when under depth-charge attack. Peter Padfield’s War Beneath the Sea explains: ‘His technique when hunted differed from that of most C.O.s; he never dived below about 80 feet - whether or not there was, as in this case, a ‘feather-bed’ layer - believing that the submarine’s frame and vulnerable hatch and other openings were in a better condition to resist the shock waves from depth-charges when not already under extreme pressure at maximum depth; further that he could more easily come up to periscope depth to review the position from 80 feet. By shutting off all auxiliary motors and maintaining the lowest speed compatible with holding trim, he hoped to remain undetectable by the Italian passive listening devices ... ’ If Torbay’s third war patrol in July 1941 was typical of her mounting Mediterranean score - her final ‘bag’ on that occasion amounting to the Italian submarine Jantina, the freighter Citta di Tripoli, the tanker Strombo, and several local troop and supply transports, including caiques – it also resulted in mounting controversy regarding the use of her guns against enemy soldiers and crew in just such troop-carrying caiques. The first indication of that controversy arose on 4 July, when Miers surfaced to engage with guns an enemy troop-carrying caique and schooner, between Andros and Euboea - having sunk both vessels, two Lewis guns were used from Torbay’s bridge to destroy ‘everything and everybody’. Then on 9 July similar tactics were employed against another troop-carrying caique - also laden with petrol, ammunition and food supplies. And it was on this second occasion that matters appear to have got out of hand, although it is worth noting that the enemy showed stout resistance on being boarded - a Corporal in the Special Boat Section had to shoot a German he saw about to hurl a grenade, and one of Torbay’s officers was compelled to dispatch another who was in the process of raising his rifle. Interestingly, this was not the first time that the R.N. had attracted adverse commentary from enemy survivors, German Naval High Command having alre...
Lot 413
The scarce Great War D.S.C. and Bar group of five awarded to Lieutenant-Commander Reginald Allen, Royal Naval Reserve, who won his D.S.C. in the Gallipoli landings of April 1915, and his Bar for services in Q-ships Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., the reverse hallmarked London 1916, with Second Award Bar; 1914-15 Star (Mid. R. Allen, R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals, with small M.I.D. oak leaves (S.Lt. R. Allen. R.N.R.); Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, G.V.R., the reverse hallmarked London 1928, mounted as worn, good very fine (5) £3,000-£4,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, September 2001. D.S.C. London Gazette 14 March 1916: ‘Probationary Midshipman Reginald Allen, H.M.S. Europa. For services performed under shell fire on the beaches and in steam boats off the beaches.’ Also commended for service in action during the operations in Gallipoli, April 1915-January 1916. Bar to D.S.C. London Gazette 17 November 1917: ‘Sub. Lieutenant, D.S.C., R.N.R. For services in action against enemy submarines.’ For the possible destruction of an enemy submarine by the Q-ship Chagford. One of only approximately 92 bars to the D.S.C. awarded during the Great War. The following extract is taken from Q Ships and their Story by E. Keble Chatterton: “In the spring of 1917 there was a 2,905-ton steamship, called the Bracondale, in the employment of the Admiralty as a collier. It was decided that she would make a very useful Q-ship, so at the beginning of April she was thus commissioned and her name changed to Chagford. She was fitted out at Devonport and armed with a 4-inch, two 12-pounders, and a couple of torpedo tubes, and was ready for sea at the end of June. Commanded by Lieutenant D. G. Jeffery, R.N.R., she proceeded to Falmouth in order to tune everything up, and then was based on Buncrana, which she left on August 2 for what was to be her last cruise, and I think that in the following story we have another instance of heroism and pertinacity of great distinction. Chagford’s position on August 5 at 4.10 a.m. was roughly 120 miles north-west of Tory Island, and she was endeavouring to find two enemy submarines which had been reported on the previous day. At the time mentioned she was herself torpedoed just below the bridge, and in this one explosion was caused very great injury: for it disabled both her torpedo tubes and her 4-inch gun; it shattered the boats on the starboard side as well as the Captain’s cabin and chart room. In addition, it also wrecked all the voice-pipe connections to the torpedo tubes and guns, and it flooded the engine-room and put the engines out of commission, killing one of the crew. Lieutenant Jeffery therefore ‘abandoned’ ship [i.e. sent off the panic party], and just as the boats were getting away two periscopes and a submarine were sighted on the starboard side 800 yards away. As soon as the enemy came to the surface fire was opened on her by the two 12-pounders and both Lewis and machine-guns, several direct hits being observed. The submarine then dived, but at 4.40 a.m. she fired a second torpedo at Chagford, which hit the ship abaft the bridge on the starboard side. From the time the first torpedo had hit, the enemy realised that the Chagford was a warship, for the 4-inch gun and torpedo tubes had been made visible, and now that the second explosion had come Lieutenant Jeffery decided to recall his boats so that the ship might genuinely be abandoned. The lifeboat, dinghy, and a barrel raft were accordingly filled, and about 5.30 a.m. the enemy fired a third torpedo, which struck also on the starboard side. Having sent away in the boats and raft everyone with the exception of himself and a Lieutenant, R.N.R. [James S. Hely], two sub-lieutenants, R.N.R. [Reginald Allen, D.S.C., and George E. Martin], also an assistant paymaster, R.N.R. [Harry Manley], and one petty officer [E. A. Edgecombe], Lieutenant Jeffery stationed these in hiding under cover of the fo’c’sle and poop, keeping a smart look-out, however, through the scuttles. Here was another doomed ship rolling about in the Atlantic without her crew, and only a gallant handful of British seamanhood still standing by with but a shred of hope. To accentuate their suspense periscopes were several times seen, and from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. a submarine frequently appeared on the surface at long range, and almost every hour a periscope passed round the ship inspecting her cautiously. During the whole of this time Chagford was settling down gradually but certainly. At dark Lieutenant Jeffery, fearing that the enemy might attempt boarding, placed Lewis and Maxim guns in position and served out rifles and bayonets to all. Midnight came, and after making a further examination of the damage, Lieutenant Jeffery realized that it was impossible for the Chagford to last much longer, for her main deck amidships was split from side to side, the bridge deck was badly buckled, and the whole ship was straining badly. Therefore, just before half-past midnight, these five abandoned the ship in a small motor-boat which they had picked up at sea some days previously, but before quitting Chagford they disabled the guns, all telescopic sights and strikers being removed. Having shoved off, they found to their dismay that there were no tanks in the motor-boat, so she had to be propelled by a couple of oars, and it will be readily appreciated that this kind of propulsion in the North Atlantic was not a success. They then thought of going back to the ship, but before they could do so they were fortunately picked up at 7.30 a.m. by H.M. trawler Saxon, a large submarine having been seen several times on the horizon between 4 and 7 a.m. The trawler then proceeded to hunt for the submarine, but, as the latter had now made off, volunteers were called for and went aboard Chagford, so that by 4 p.m. Saxon had commenced towing her [Sub-Lieutenant Allen was again amongst the volunteers on this occasion]. Bad luck again overcame their efforts, for wind and sea had been steadily increasing, and of course there was no steam, so the heavy work of handling cables had all to be done by hand. Until the evening the ship towed fairly well at 2 knots, but, as she seemed then to be breaking up, the tow rope had to be slipped, and just before eight o’clock next morning (August 7) she took a final plunge and disappeared. The Saxon made for the Scottish coast and landed the survivors at Oban on the morning of the eighth. In this encounter, difficult as it was, Chagford had done real service, for she had damaged the submarine so much that she could not submerge, and this was probably U-44 which H.M.S. Oracle sighted in the early hours of August 12 off the north coast of Scotland, evidently bound to Germany. Oracle chased her; U-44 kept diving and coming to the surface after a short while. She had disguised herself as a trawler and was obviously unable to dive except for short periods. Oracle shelled and then rammed her, so that U-44 was destroyed and Chagford avenged.” Lieutenant Jeffery was awarded the Distinguished Service Order, while Sub-Lieutenant Allen got a Bar to his Distinguished Service Cross, and Sub-Lieutenant Martin and Assistant Paymaster Manley both received the Distinguished Service Cross. Reginald Allen was born at Warrington in 1895, was appointed Midshipman, Royal Naval Reserve, on 15 August 1911, and in September 1914 was serving aboard the armed merchant cruiser Teutonic. In January 1915 he transferred to the battleship Triumph and would appear to have been one of the survivors from that ship when she was torpedoed and sunk by a...
Lot 469
The poignant Second War D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Chief Petty Officer S. H. ‘Sam’ Dixon, Royal Navy, for his gallantry in H.M. submarine Splendid; one of those lucky to survive her loss in April 1943 when 18 of his shipmates succumbed to shellfire in the water, he was himself killed when Allied aircraft strafed a P.O.W. transport train in April 1945 Distinguished Service Medal, G.VI.R. (JX. 125574 S. H. Dixon. P.O.) impressed naming; Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-39 (JX. 125574 S. H. Dixon. A/P.O. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; War Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 2nd issue (JX. 125574, S. H. Dixon. D.S.M. C.P.O. H.M.S. Pembroke.) mounted as worn, the last largely officially re-impressed, nearly extremely fine (7) £2,000-£2,400 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, July 2003. D.S.M. London Gazette 6 April 1943: ‘For bravery in successful submarine patrols.’ The original recommendation states: ‘For consistent zeal and devotion to duty during three successful patrols in which two enemy destroyers, three merchant ships totalling 10,000 tons, two A./S. schooners and one A./S. trawler were sunk. During these patrols ten torpedo attacks have been carried out, five of which were on screened targets. He displayed particular coolness and skill in firing a salvo of torpedoes shortly after depth charges had been dropped during an attack on a convoy.’ Samuel Hughes Dixon was born in Chesterton, Staffordshire, on 4 October 1910, and entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in December 1925. Having then seen service in assorted surface vessels before the war, including operations off Palestine, he was advanced to Petty Officer in the cruiser H.M.S. Dragon in August 1939. In February 1942, however, he transferred to the ‘Silent Service’, passing his D.S.E.A. course that February and being rated as a Petty Officer Torpedo Gunner’s Mate. His initial postings were to the L. 26 and H. 50, but in October 1942 he joined a newly built ‘S’ class submarine, the P. 228, afterwards named Splendid. Splendid’s first destination was Gibraltar, where she joined the 8th Submarine Flotilla under the command of Lieutenant I. McGeoch, R.N. (afterwards Vice-Admiral Sir Ian McGeogh, K.C.B., D.S.O., D.S.C., who later published a full account of Splendid’s wartime career in An Affair of Chances, in which he pays tribute to the likes of Dixon. Splendid’s wartime career was certainly an eventful one, her opening five war patrols accounting for more tanker and supply ship tonnage than any other submarine for the period November 1942 to April 1943. The total tonnage of six escorted supply ships, including two tankers, sunk by torpedo, was 26,424, and one ship of 3576 tons by gunfire, notwithstanding the two Italian destroyers and A./S. ships sunk or damaged, as per Dixon’s recommendation. One of these destroyers was the Aviere, sunk off Bizerta on 17 December 1942. And throughout these operations, Dixon, a vital member of Splendid’s team, remained, in the words of his Captain, a ‘calm and utterly reliable torpedo expert ... one of the finest men I was privileged to be shipmates with ... I certainly recommended him for a decoration ... he richly deserved it.’ Splendid met her end in the course of her sixth patrol on 21 April 1943. McGeogh had been summoned to the control room as hydrophone effect noises had been heard, and a quick look through the periscope revealed an enemy destroyer. An attack sequence was immediately started but the enemy destroyer was on Splendid before any torpedoes could be fired. Her attack was prolonged and accurate and McGeogh took the submarine down to 300 feet to avoid the depth charges but to no avail. The enemy’s final attack caused massive damage to the submarine, leaving it suspended in the water at 500 feet, with her stern down by an angle of 20 degrees or more. The only available option was to blow the main ballast, and after an agonising wait Splendid moved towards the surface, accelerating at the end as she leapt out of the water to lie helpless on the surface. McGeogh gave the order to abandon ship, all 48 crew getting out of the submarine, but the enemy destroyer, now about a mile away, continued to engage with her main and secondary armaments and 18 men were killed. Splendid had a jammed rudder and her one remaining motor had driven her round in a wide sweep, suggesting to the enemy that she was getting into position for an attack. Dixon and his captain were among those who were afterwards picked up by the enemy destroyer, a ship that transpired to be the ex-Greek Navy, British-built Hermes, but now, of course, crewed by Germans. A full account of this incident, and of Splendid’s wartime patrols, may be found in McGeogh’s An Affair of Chances, published by the Imperial War Museum in 1991; apart from several references to Dixon, the book contains a photograph of her crew at Algiers, taken in February 1943. Dixon, who was originally held as a P.O.W. in Italy but later transferred to Stalag VIII at Gorlitz, was killed in a strafing attack on a transport train by Allied Mustangs near Halberstadt on 19 February 1945. He left a widow in Folkestone and is buried in the Berlin War Cemetery. Note: As verified by his certificate of service, his Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. medal was issued posthumously in July 1951, hence it being a G.VI.R. 2nd issue, and officially re-impressed from an un-issued medal.
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