Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas (Part I)

The outstanding Great War ‘Dunraven’ C.G.M. and ‘Farnborough’ D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Wireless Telegraph Officer T. E. Fletcher, R.N.R, for two of the most famous ‘Q’ ship Victoria Cross actions of the War

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, G.V.R. (W.T.S. 404 T. E. Fletcher, W.T.O. 1Cl. R.N.R. Atlantic Ocean. 8. Aug. 1917); Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (W.T.S. 404. T. E. Fletcher, W.T.O. 1Cl. R.N.R. Off W. Coast Ireland. 17. Feb. 1917) some official corrections to location and date on this; 1914-15 Star (WTS. 404, T. E. Fletcher, W.T.O., R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals; Defence Medal (404WTS T. E. Fletcher. W.T.O. R.N.R.); France, 3rd Republic, Medaille Militaire, mounted for wear, blue enamel chipped on the last, otherwise good very fine (7) £16,000-£20,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Naval Medals from the Collection of the Late Jason Pilalas.

View
Collection

Dix Noonan Webb, October 1996.

C.G.M. London Gazette 30 October 1917: ‘For services in action with enemy submarines.’

D.S.M. London Gazette 23 March 1917: ‘For services in action with enemy submarines.’

On 17 February 1917, H.M.S. Farnborough (Q.5) Captain Gordon Campbell, V.C., D.S.O., R.N., was torpedoed without warning by the U.83 (Hoppe). The panic party were quick to leave the stricken ship. Captain Campbell and the gun’s crews remained concealed until the submarine came into range. Whilst remaining submerged this submarine closely examined Farnborough from a number of positions including passing down the length of the ship at a distance of 10 yards. Captain Campbell stated that in this position he could see the whole hull distinctly. At 1005 the submarine broke surface 300 yards off the port bow and passed slowly down Farnborough’s port side. When all guns could bear the order was given to open fire. The first shot from the 6-pdr hit the conning tower and according to a prisoner later picked up ‘removed the Captain's head'.’

The U.83 never recovered from the surprise. Her conning tower was repeatedly hit, many shells passing clean through it. Altogether 45 rounds were fired and in addition the maxim guns did good service. As U.83 began to settle there were 8 men in the water and although the lifeboat was immediately lowered, only 1 Officer and 1 Rating were saved. Whilst this action was taking place the Farnborough has been slowly sinking. The majority of the crew were ordered into the lifeboats and only a small nucleus of essential personnel remained on board. Farnborough was now so low in the water that it looked as if she too would sink and Campbell made the mournful signal: ‘Q.5 slowly sinking respectfully wishes you goodbye’. However, the destroyer Narhwal and the sloop Buttercup arrived in time to take Q.5 in tow and eventually she was safely beached. Campbell was awarded the Victoria Cross as a result of this action, and amongst the other awards was the D.S.M. for Fletcher.

Campbell’s next command was the ‘Q’ ship Pargust, into which his loyal crew followed him. Pargust’s exploits resulted in the award of the Victoria Cross to the whole ship, resulting in the selection of Lieutenant R. N. Stuart, D.S.O. and Seaman William Williams to each receive the Victoria Cross as a result of the ballot by the men.

Campbell’s third and last ship was the Dunraven and aboard we again find Fletcher as Wireless Telegraph Operator and member of a gun’s crew. On 8 August 1917, Dunraven was fired upon by the German submarine UC.71 (Salzwedel). There ensued an heroic three-hour gun and torpedo action in which the Dunraven was repeatedly hit by shells, refusing to return fire until the submarine came into range.

Fletcher’s ‘Action Station’, rather strangely for a wireless rating, was as a member of the 4-inch after-gun’s crew which was situated not only on the poop, but on the magazine. The poop was heavily on fire as the submarine slowly approached Dunraven and Campbell had to make an agonising decision not to evacuate the gun’s crew, thereby exposing their intentions to the enemy, in the full knowledge that the magazine would certainly explode. As the submarine passed Dunraven’s stern, a matter of seconds before it would be in range of the guns, the inevitable happened. A terrific explosion occurred, the stern of the ship was blown out and the 4-inch gun and crew complete were blown into the air. The gun’s crew were all wounded but luckily none were killed, although one man later succumbed to his wounds.

The enemy was very wary and having scored a hit with a torpedo broke off the action when a torpedo was fired at her by the Dunraven. Despite being taken in tow and valiant action by the crew to save their ship, Dunraven sank at 0130 on 9 August 1917, the officers and crew being taken off by H.M.S. Christopher. This was to be Captain Campbell's last 'Q' Ship action. The Admiralty compulsorily retired him to a Shore posting at Holyhead. As for his crew, Campbell himself said of them ‘Not a man failed, not a man could have done more.’

Lieutenant G. C. Bonner was awarded the Victoria Cross, and the Victoria Cross was also awarded to the after-gun’s crew under article 13 of the Statutes of the Victoria Cross. Petty Officer Pitcher, the captain of the gun was selected to receive it, and the remainder of the gun’s crew, including Thomas Fletcher, were awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.