A Great War D.S.M. group of four awarded to Petty Officer A. C. Barrett, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (182937, A. C. Barrett, P.O. H.M.S. Orotava. Dec. 1915 - June 1916); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Natal (A. C. Barrett, A.B., H.M.S. Widgeon); 1914-15 Star (182937, A. C. Barrett P.O., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (182937 A. C. Barrett, P.O., H.M.S. Scylla) contact wear, about very fine and better (4) £700-£900

D.S.M. London Gazette 25 October 1916: ‘H.M.S. Orotava. Service with 10th Cruiser Squadron December 1915 to June 1916. Men whose services I consider to be worth of recognition.’ (ADM 137/1218/168 refers)

Alfred Charles Barrett was born at Gravesend, Kent, on 31 December 1877, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Northampton on 7 February 1895. He served as an Able Seaman aboard H.M.S. Widgeon during the war in South Africa and was advanced to Leading Seaman in October 1901, becoming P.O.2 in January 1903, and P.O.1 in January 1904. He received his L.S. & G.C. medal aboard H.M.S. Scylla on 7 August 1910. During the Great War he served aboard the armed merchant cruiser Orotava from 17 December 1914 to 2 September 1916. She was armed with five 6-inch guns and two 6-pounder H.A. guns and was commissioned on 17 December 1914, as part of the 10th Cruiser Squadron, from December 1914 to October 1916 with the Northern Patrol. Apart from short periods aboard Superb and Perth, he spent the remainder of the war based at Pembroke I, and was discharged to shore and demobilisation on 4 February 1919.