A Great War D.S.M. group of six awarded to Chief Petty Officer E. A. E. Gander, Royal Navy, for his actions on 21 March 1918 when H.M.S. Botha rammed and sank a German torpedo boat before being torpedoed in error by a French destroyer

Distinguished Service Medal G.V.R. (198304. E. A. E. Gander, P.O. 1Cl “Botha” Off Belgian Coast 21. Mar. 1918.); China 1900, no clasp (E. A. Gander, A.B., H.M.S. Daphne.); 1914-15 Star (198304 E. A. E. Gander PO1 R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (198304 E. A. E. Gander. Act. C.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (198304 E. A. E. Gander, P.O.1Cl., H.M.S. Vengeance.) generally very fine and better (6) £1,000-£1,400

D.S.M. London Gazette 18 June 1918:
‘For Service in Action with Enemy Destroyers off the Belgian Coast on 21 Mar 1918’

The original citation states: ‘E Gander Petty Officer O.N198304. Was of greatest assistance to first Lieutenant after the action in preparing to tow, and placing the collision mat and transporting wounded, in spite of the fact that he had been considerably shaken when the ship was torpedoed. He was about to train the torpedo tube fore and aft when tunes was blown over-board, was prompt and efficient in dealing with severely wounded men although working in escaping steam. This rating was especially Meritorious, and by his example was of greatest service.’

Ernest Albert Edward Gander was born in Kent on 4 August 1880, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 25 February 1898. He was posted to H.M.S. Daphne on 1 January 1899, and was promoted Able Seaman on 3 November of that year, serving in her during the Third China War. He was promoted Leading Seaman on 11 July 1902, Petty Officer 2nd Class on 1 October 1904, and Petty Officer 1st Class on 4 May 1906. He served in H.M.S. Vengeance from 5 March 1913, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 10 October of that year. He served during the Great War in H.M.S. Botha from 3 May 1917, and was appointed Acting Chief Petty Officer on 1 April 1918, shortly after his D.S.M.-winning exploits. Confirmed in that rate in 1919, he was shore pensioned on 31 August 1920.