Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The Great War D.S.M. awarded to Deck Hand F. Plane, Royal Naval Reserve, who was decorated for his gallant deeds aboard the drifter Clover Bank - the sole survivor of his crew, he remained at his gun until the ship was rapidly sinking, and was later picked up

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (D.A. 5728 F. Plane, Dk. Hd., R.N.R., “Clover Bank”, Dover Patrol, 14-15 Feb. 1918), good very fine £1800-2200

D.S.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.’

The original recommendation states:

‘This man, the sole survivor of his ship, remained on board until his ship was rapidly sinking and he could not see or hear anyone on board when he fired his 6-pounder gun at the enemy who were 20 yards off and then taking part of his gun platform with him jumped overboard; ship sinking when he had drifted about 100 yards clear.’