Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Great War D.S.M. pair awarded to Ordinary Seaman J. G. Vigor, Royal Navy, for service ashore with the Lewis Guns in the battle of Rumbo, East Africa, 18 April 1917

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (J.50949. J. G. Vigor, Ord. Sean. H.M.S. Himalaya. E. Africa, 18, Apl. 1917); France Third Republic, Croix de Guerre 1914-1917, with bronze palm, extremely fine (2) £800-£1,000

Dix Noonan Webb, September 2001.

D.S.M. London Gazette 20 October 1918.

The following recommendation was extracted from Admiralty records: ‘Officers and men of the Royal Navy who have rendered good service in connection with the military operations in East Africa in April 1917 (Recommendations sent in by Lieutenant General J. L. Van Deventer, C.B., Commanding in Chief the Forces in East Africa): Ordinary Seaman Vigor of H.M.S. Himalaya - served ashore with the Lewis guns.’

On 18 April a force of 400 of the 40th Pathans, 200 of the King’s African Rifles, and two mountain guns of the Gold Coast Regiment, attacked a body of the enemy which had advanced to within a few miles of Rumbo. The enemy proved to be in strength and, after a sharp action of several hours, in which the losses on both sides were considerable, our force retired to Rumbo and entrenched. Although the attack failed in its immediate object, it had the effect of relieving the Kilwa force of any further pressure from this direction.

French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 14 September 1917.

John George Vigor was born at Lambeth, London, on 16 October 1894, and enlisted for the duration of hostilities on 26 February 1916, a gas fitter by trade. His service record confirms that he was ‘mentioned for meritorious service while serving with the Naval Lewis Gun Detachment 18/4/17’, awarded the D.S.M., and awarded the Croix de Guerre.