Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘St George’s Day Raid 1918’ D.S.M. group of five awarded to Chief Yeoman of Signals A. J. Gamby, Royal Navy, Leading Signaller aboard the Vindictive at Zeebrugge who participated in the ballot for the V.C.

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (J.11326 A. J. Gamby, Lg. Sig. “Vindictive.” Zeebrugge-Ostend. 22-3 Apl. 1918.); 1914-15 Star (J,11326 A. J. Gamby, Sig. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.11326 A. J. Gamby. L. Sig. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue with fixed suspension (J.11326 A. J. Gamby. C.Y.S. H.M.S. Hawkins) mounted court-style for display, first three with contact pitting from Star, otherwise nearly very fine or better (5) £2,400-£2,800

D.S.M. London Gazette 23 July 1918: ‘For services during the operations against Zeebrugge and Ostend on the night of 22nd-23rd April 1918. Ldg. Sig. Albert James Gamby, ON J.11326 (Ch.), H.M.S. Vindictive.’ One of 16 D.S.M’s awarded to the crew of the Vindictive.

The Yeoman of Signals on the Vindictive, John Buckley D.S.M., was alone by himself in a special steel shelter on the bridge and by this method it was hoped to give him protection whilst he carried out his important duties. Unfortunately his shelter was hit by a shell as Vindictive approached the Mole, and he was killed. Leading Signaller Gamby was no doubt on the after platform when this happened and called to the bridge to take over the signalling duties. No other signaller from Vindictive received an award, except a posthumous mention for the Yeoman of Signals.
Gamby ‘participated in ballot for V.C. granted for operations against Zeebrugge & Ostend, 22-23 April 1918 (LG 23/7/18)’ and his record of service is so stamped.

Albert James Gamby was born at Barnet, Hertfordshire, on 30 April 1895. He joined the navy as a Boy 2nd Class in February 1911. By the outbreak of war he was serving as a Leading Signaller aboard H.M.S. Antrim. He was lent from H.M.S. Pembroke to join the crew of Vindictive for the Zeebrugge Raid and was awarded the D.S.M. and participated in the ballot for the V.C. He was promoted to Yeoman of Signals in April 1919 and to Chief Yeoman of Signals in December 1926, and received his L.S. & G.C. medal whilst serving in H.M.S. Hawkins in September 1928. He was Shore Pensioned on 29 April 1934, but when hostilities broke out in 1939 he re-joined the Service and for two and a half years served in the armed merchant cruiser Pretoria Castle until invalided out on 13 July 1942.

Sold with copied research, including record of service and a Zeebrugge Museum Association booklet from August 1927.