Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Great War C.G.M. group of four awarded to 2nd Hand G. B. Rivett, Royal Naval Reserve, whose drifter the Cosmos was one of three such vessels sunk in quick succession in the S.E. sector, and from which just four men survived - one of them a wounded Engineman to whom he gave his life belt and kept alive in the water for two hours

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, G.V.R. (D.A. 5787 G. B. Rivett, 2nd Hd. R.N.R., “Cosmos”, Dover Patrol, 14-15 Feb. 1918), note slightly different number; 1914-15 Star (D.A. 5727 G. B. Rivett, D.H., R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (5727 D.A. G. B. Rivett, 2 Hd., R.N.R.), the third with officially re-impressed naming, very fine or better (4) £6000-8000

C.G.M. London Gazette 15 March 1918:

‘Honours for services in action on the occasion of the raid into the Straits of Dover by enemy destroyers on the night of 14-15 February 1918:

To receive the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal ... 2nd Hand George Bertie Rivett, R.N.R., ON. 5727, H.M. Drifter Cosmos:

For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He displayed great courage and presence of mind when, first his own ship having sunk, he went overboard after the small boat, which was adrift. Later, he put his life belt on a severely wounded Engineman of another ship. Finally he assisted in saving the life of Engineman Wakerley when the latter became unconscious. He was in the water for two hours.’

Engineman J. Wakerley, R.N.R., who was from the drifter Silver Queen, ‘was severely wounded in the foot (since amputated) and wounded in both shoulders and the right side’, and was awarded the D.S.M. for ‘keeping a stout heart’ throughout the ordeal.