The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection

A rare Second World War C.B.E., Great War submariner’s D.S.C. group of nine awarded to Rear-Admiral H. R. Marrack, Royal Navy, who joined the fledgling submarine service in 1908 and remained similarly employed until the 1930s

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel; Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., hallmarks for London 1919; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. H. R. Marrack, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Commr. H. R. Marrack, R.N.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937, mounted as worn, together with a set of related miniature dress medals (excluding C.B.E.), and tunic ribands, very fine and better (17) £1800-2200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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C.B.E. London Gazette 2 June 1943.

D.S.C. London Gazette 17 April 1918:

‘In recognition of their services in submarines.’

Hugh Richard Marrack was born in Walton, Surrey in July 1888 and was educated at Blundell’s School, Tiverton and at Britannia. Appointed a Midshipman in July 1904, he joined the fledgling submarine branch as a Sub. Lieutenant in August 1908 and was given his first command, the A. 10, in October 1911.

By the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, Marrack was in command of the C. 19, in which capacity he served until removing to the E. 51 in December 1916, including co-operation duties with Q-ships. But it was for numerous mine-laying operations in the latter submarine that he was awarded his D.S.C., and, more particularly, a “sub-on-sub” attack he carried out on the night of 29-30 December 1917:

‘As the vessels were approaching, I decided by such outline of the hull as I could distinguish and by the slowness of their approach, that they were submarines. About 11.22 p.m. I observed that there was at least one other black object astern of the first two, but did not examine this closely. About 11.26 the clouds over the moon became thinner, and it looked as if the moon might appear at any moment. I therefore altered course to 200 and fired a double shot from the bow tubes at the leading ship. Estimated range 1000-1200 yards. Speed of enemy 11 knots. Speed of torpedoes 35 knots. I immediately put the helm hard-a-port and dived to avoid being seen. Between 60-70 seconds after firing, a dull distinctive thud was heard ... ’

A ‘thud’ that in the opinion of his Flotilla C.O. was indicative of a successful attack.

Marrack was also commended by Their Lordships in August 1918 on the occasion the C. 25 was attacked by hostile seaplanes.

Between the Wars, Marrack commanded the L. 71, K. 8, M. 3 and H.M. Australian submarine Oxley 1918-28, before returning home to take command of Portland Submarine Flotilla in 1929. Having then been advanced to Captain, he next served as C.O. of the China Submarine Flotilla 1929-31, but returned to normal seagoing duties thereafter, including command of the Carlisle 1934-37.

During the 1939-45 War, Marrack served as Commodore and Superintendent of Sheerness 1939-43 and of Gibraltar 1943-45, gaining advancement to Rear-Admiral and the C.B.E. The Admiral, who was onetime an A.D.C. to the King, died in February 1972.

Sold with the recipient’s original C.B.E, warrant and one or two photographs, together with a cassette recording made by his step daughter, and extensive research, including copied patrol reports for the E. 51 1917-18 and service record.

See lot 570 for the group of medals to Lieutenant D. C. Bell, R.N. who was killed in action aboard the submarine C25, in which action Admiral Marrack received a commendation.