A Great War ‘Dover Patrol’ D.S.M. group of five awarded to Petty Officer P. E. Gaymer, Royal Navy, H.M.S. P24

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (198799 Lg. Sean. H.M.S. “P.24” Straits of Dover. 21 Dec. 1917); 1914-15 Star (A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (A.B. H.M.S. Attentive) very fine (5) £350-450

D.S.M. London Gazette 6 April 1918: ‘for services in action against enemy submarines.’

Percy Edmund Gaymer was born in Ipswich, Suffolk, on 22 August 1882, and entered the Royal Navy on 22 August 1900. He served aboard H.M.S. P24 from January 1916 until October 1918. Sold with copy service papers.

P-boats were specially designed for patrolling against U-boats, several of which they succeeded in destroying. Fitted with guns and a hard steel ram, they were low-lying, had a shallow draught, and were difficult to see at any distance.