Orders, Decorations and Medals

An O.B.E. and Great War D.S.M. group of eight awarded to Engineer Commander F. E. Crabbe, Royal Navy

The Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) 2nd type; Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (M.1483 E.R.A. 3 R.N.) later impressed naming; 1914-15 Star Trio (Mte., R.N.) all with later impressed naming; 1939-45 Star; Africa Star; War Medal, good very fine (8) £300-400

O.B.E. London Gazette 11 June 1942.

D.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1917.

Frank William Crabbe joined the Royal Navy in January 1910, and after various postings joined H.M. Submarine E38 in December 1916, serving in her until May 1917 when he was selected for officer’s service. In March 1919 he returned to the Submarine service and served until retirement in 1926. He was recalled in 1939 with the rank of Lieutenant-Commander and was posted to Malta with the submarine staff under Captain S. M. Raw, 1st Submarine Flotilla. In August 1940 he was appointed Engineer Commander in the Submarine Depot Ship Medway. On 30 June 1942, Medway was torpedoed off Alexandria by U-372, sinking within 20 minutes. Crabbe lost all his kit, including his medals which were eventually replaced by the Admiralty. He retired shortly afterwards.