Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.S.M. group of five awarded to Master of Arms F. Sprake, Royal Navy, who was decorated for service aboard the armed merchant cruiser H.M.S. Orotava during 1915

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (150887. F. Sprake. M.A.A. H.M.S. Orotava.) with minor official corrections; 1914-15 Star (150887, F. Sprake, M.A.A., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (150887 F. Sprake. M.A.A. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (150887 Frank Sprake, Sh. Corpl. 1 Cl. H.M.S. Levithian.) generally very fine (5) £700-£900

D.S.M. London Gazette 31 March 1916:
‘in recognition of services in the Patrol Cruisers, under the command of Rear Admiral Sir Dudley R. S. De Chair, K.C.B., M.V.O., during the period ending 31 December 1915.’

Frank Sprake was born on the Isle of Wight on 30 September 1873, entering naval service on 2 September 1889 as a Boy 2nd Class in H.M.S. St Vincent, quickly seeing promotion to Able Seaman by 1892. Appointed a Master at Arms in 1910, he was pensioned to shore in October 1913, having been awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 26 October 1906.

Re-engaged for war service on 2 August 1914, Sprake served until 1915 in H.M.S. Pembroke I; before going to sea in the armed merchant cruiser H.M.S. Orotava, as part of the 10th Cruiser Squadron in the Northern Blockade, for which he was awarded the D.S.M. He was demobilised in March 1919.

Sprake was presented with his D.S.M. on 16 April 1916, by Vice-Admiral R. G. O. Tupper, in command of the Tenth Cruiser Squadron, when he was inspecting the ship.