The John Chidzey Collection

A rare Great War R.N. Siege Guns D.S.M. group of five awarded to Shipwright 1st Class J. M. Goddard, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his gallant deeds in the battle of Arras in April 1917

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (342706 J. M. Goddard, Shpt. 1 Cl., Siege Guns, Flanders, 1917); 1914-15 Star (342706 J. M. Goddard, Shpt. 2, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (342706 J. M. Goddard, Shpt. 1, R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (342706 J. M. Goddard, Shpt. 2 Cl., H.M.S. Good Hope), mounted as worn, the first with minor official correction to surname and the third with officially re-impressed naming, contact marks, very fine or better (5) £900-1200

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The John Chidzey Collection.

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D.S.M. London Gazette 16 March 1918:

‘For services with the Royal Naval Siege Guns in France.’

John Milton Goddard was born in Westbourne, Hampshire in July 1881 and entered the Royal Navy as Carpenter’s Crew in May 1899. Advanced to Shipwright 2nd Class in December 1912, he was serving aboard the cruiser H.M.S. King Alfred on the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914, but came ashore shortly thereafter to Victory II.

Having then briefly attended the training establishment Fisgard, where he was advanced to Shipwright 1st Class, Goddard was posted to the R.N. Siege Guns in France and Flanders in August 1916, where he remained similarly employed until the War’ end.

And of his gallant deeds at Arras in April 1917, for which he was awarded his D.S.M., The Official History of the War (Naval Operations, Vol. VII), states:

‘The R.N. and R.M.A. Siege Guns were situated on the northern flank of the Allied Army, with their left flank resting on the village of Vauxaillon.

Two batteries, one of 6-inch field guns and one of heavy mortars, were dug in on high ground about two thousand yards from the enemy trenches.

The Bluejackets, along with 56th Australian Heavy Artillery Regiment, formed the 62nd Siege Division.

The Division opened a preliminary bombardment on the evening of 14 April 1917, prior to the attack to reoccupy the Vimy Ridge as a preliminary to the battle of Arras, under the overall direction of General Nivelle.

About noon on 16 April, after the first attacks had got under way, the batteries came under a heavy and accurate counter-bombardment from the German mobile batteries.

This accurate bombardment soon caused casualties amongst the Naval gunners. In a few hours their numbers were reduced to about a third. Wirelessman 1st Class Heath, Shipwright Goddard and Leading Seaman Tapling were soon the only members of their gun’s crew who were unwounded ... They contrived to serve their own guns and assist others in serving theirs with some success. Goddard displayed exceptional courage and calmness throughout the whole counter-bombardment and continually worked his gun by hand after the firing mechanism had jammed.

Goddard and Heath were recommended for an immediate award of the Distinguished Conduct Medal, but this was subsequently changed to the Distinguished Service Medal, which was awarded also to Tapling and three other ratings.

Goddard was later awarded the French Medaille Militaire, which was presented to him by General Nivelle, for his part in rallying the survivors of his battery.’

His service record confirms the awards of his D.S.M. and L.S. & G.C. Medal, the latter in June 1914, but there is no reference to the French Medaille Militaire. Goddard came ashore for a final time in July 1921. He died at Emsworth, Hampshire, in February 1939.