A rare Great War East Africa operations D.S.M. group of five awarded to Able Seaman F. W. Bull, Royal Navy, who was recommended for his decoration by Lieutenant-General Van Deventer

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (SS. 447 F. W. Bull, A.B., “Thistle”, East Africa, 2-3 July 1918); 1914-15 Star (SS. 447 F. W. Bull, A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (SS. 447 F. W. Bull, A.B., R.N.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., Admiral’s bust (SS. 447 Dev. B 2616 F. W. Bull, A.B., R.F.R.), good very fine or better (5) £1600-1800

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

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Ex Captain K. J. Douglas-Morris collection, 12 February 1997 (Lot 633).

D.S.M. London Gazette 29 October 1918. The original recommendation states:

‘I have the honour to forward No.3 /26 from the Liaison Officer Quelimane, and to strongly recommend Able Seaman Frederick W. Bull for the Distinguished Service Medal. The service he voluntarily undertook was one of great danger for the enemy was closely investing the post at Nhamacurra on the night of the 2-3 July 1918, and the motor boat had practically to go right past the enemy's line, both going and returning.’

Frederick William Bull was born in Chelsea, London in January 1886 and entered the Royal Navy as an Ordinary Seaman in March 1904. Advanced to Able Seaman in October 1906, he transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve in March 1909 and was mobilised in August 1914, when he joined the cruiser H.M.S. Charybdis. Remaining similarly employed until June 1915, he next went to sea in August of the latter year, when he joined the Thistle. And it was as a member of the ship’s small Naval Brigade, landed for service in East Africa in June-July 1918, that he was awarded his D.S.M., as per the recommendation cited above, submitted by Lieutenant-General J. L. Van Deventer, Commander in Chief, East African Forces, and addressed to the Naval Commander in Chief, East Africa. A little more information is included in the accompanying letter written by the local Liaison Officer:

‘I desire to bring for the favourable consideration of the Commander in Chief the name of Frederick W. Bull, Able Seaman R.F.R. (Devonport) SS. 447 B 2616 for prompt reward. This man volunteered and carried important despatches from here (Quelimane) through enemy lines to Nhamacurra on the night of 2-3 July 1918. He displayed great coolness and gallantry and returned with other important despatches from Lieutenant Colonel Gore-Brown. This man serves in H.M.S. Thistle.’

Returning to the U.K. in October 1918, Bull was finally discharged in June 1921.