Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War submariner’s D.S.M. group of three awarded to Leading Seaman H. C. Wright, H.M. Submarine D7, for the sinking of the U-45 in September 1917
Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (191473 H. C. Wright, Lg. Sean. H.M.S. “D7” Atlantic Ocean 12th Sept. 1917); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Natal (H. C. Wright, A.B., H.M.S. Doris) impressed naming; 1914-15 Star (191473 H. C. Wright, L.S. R.N.) light pitting, otherwise very fine (3) £1,200-£1,600

D.S.M. London Gazette 17 November 1917: ‘For services in action with enemy submarines.’ The recommendation states: ‘Sinking of German submarine U45 12 September 1917. Since joining the flotilla on 14 April Submarine D7 has done 99 days on patrol and 54 days in harbour, which I believe to be a record for any overseas patrol, and which has only been possible through the sustained and united hard work of the whole of the crew, and especially the engine room staff.’
‘It was not until September 1917 that a patrol submarine north of Ireland achieved a sinking. U-45 (Sittenfield) had sailed with U-88 and U-54 on the 5th; a week later she was on the surface west of the Shetlands when D-7 sighted her and dived to attack. Twenty minutes later a stern torpedo, fired at 800 yards, struck the U-boat just before the conning tower. One of the two survivors picked up by the British submarine was the radio operator, who had been about to send a message to Wilhelmshaven. He did not have time to do so, and the German command had no idea as to where U-45 was sunk.’
The commanding officer of D7, Lieutenant O. E. Hallifax, was awarded the D.S.O. for this action, as well as one D.S.C. and two further D.S.M.s to other members of the crew.
Herbert Charles Wright was born on 10 July 1881, and joined the Navy in July 1899. He joined the submarine branch in November 1912 and served aboard H.M. Submarine D7 from that date until February 1919. He served aboard E33 towards the end of that year and was Shore Pensioned in July 1921.