Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘1918’ D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Sergeant W. H. Padwick, Royal Marine Light Infantry, for service on shore during the Palestine campaign, specifically as a spotter during the Battle of Gaza in 1917

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (PO/10224. Sergt. W. H. Padwick, R.M.L.I. “Odin” Egypt. 1917.); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1908-10 (PO.10224. Lce. Cpl. W. H. Padwick, R.M.L.I. H.M.S. Philomel.); 1914-15 Star (PO.10224. Sgt. W. H. Padwick. R.M.L.I); British War and Victory Medals (PO.10224. Sgt. W. H. Padwick. R.M.L.I.); Defence Medal; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (PO.10224 W. H. Padwick, Corporal, R.M.L.I.) generally very fine or better (7) £700-£900

D.S.M. London Gazette 20 September 1918:
‘For Services on the Mediterranean Station (Egyptian Division) for the period ending the 31st December, 1917’

William Henry Padwick was born in Winchester on 25 January 1881. He joined the Royal Marine Light Infantry as a Private on 24 February 1899, and after service at Portsmouth, he embarked in H.M.S. Gladiator on 2 October 1900, serving with this ship until February 1904. Over the next 10 years he served on numerous ships, including H.M.S. Philomel from January 1908 until July 1909, finally joining H.M.S. Vindictive on 28 January 1914. He was promoted Corporal on 23 April 1911. He served in H.M.S. Vindictive until 30 June 1916, having been promoted Sergeant on 29 October 1915. During this period H.M.S. Vindictive served with the 9th Cruiser Squadron, capturing the German merchantmen Schlesien and Slawentzitz on 7 August and 8 September respectively. From 1915 she was stationed on the south-east coast of South America.

A period of six months at Portsmouth Division was followed by service in H.M.S. Odin between 4 December 1916 and 13 May 1919. H.M.S. Odin was a Cadmus Class Sloop, lunched in 1901. She had a crew of 112-120 and was armed with 4 x 4" breech loaders 4 x 3pdr quick firing guns and 3 machine guns. H.M.S. Odin seems to have seen a bit of action off Aden and latterly with the Red Sea Patrol during 1917. This including land operations against Turkish forces. It was for one of these operations that Sergeant Padwick was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal:
‘In the Palestine campaign, where the left flank of the Army was on the sea as at Gaza, the monitors were enabled to render most useful service in breaking up enemy attacks and in covering the British attacks; Major and Bt. Lieut.-Colonel T. B. Luard, R.M.L.I. in conjunction with Lieut.-Commander Haselfoot, R.N. established observation posts before Gaza, and was in charge of the spotting officers and men, and rendered valuable services in authorising fire. As the Despatch says “the accuracy and success of the sea bombardment was largely due to Major Luard's organisation”; he was awarded the D.S.O. and Sergeants A. E. Bowen (Chatham) and H. Padwick (Portsmouth) R.M.L.I. were also awarded the D.S.M. for these operations.’ (Britain's sea soldiers. A record of the Royal marines during the war 1914-1919 refers).

Padwick was finally discharged on 23 February 1920, and he died on 2 September 1960.