A Great War ‘Minesweeping’ C.G.M. awarded to Stoker 1st Class J. Davies, Royal Navy, for his gallantry in attempting to rescue crewmates after H.M.S. Carnation struck a mine off Kirkwall, Orkney, on 31 March 1917

Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, G.V.R. (301312. J. Davies, Sto. 1 Cl. H.M.S. Carnation. Minesweeping 31. Mch. 1917.) lacquered, very fine £3,000-£4,000

C.G.M. London Gazette 12 May 1917:

‘For very gallant rescue work performed when the ship in which he was serving struck a mine.’

James Davies was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, in March 1884. He joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class in September 1902, and advanced to Stoker 1st Class in July 1908. Davies served with H.M.S. Antrim from August 1912 to May 1915, and with H.M.S. Carnation from 29 October 1915 to 2 April 1917. The latter was a sloop, employed as part of the First Minesweeper Flotilla. Davies distinguished himself, when the Carnation hit a mine on 31 March 1917.
On the night of 28 March 1917, UC-42, under the command of Kptlt. Otto Heinrich Tornow, laid two mine lines south of Auskerry.

Three days later the Carnation left Scapa Flow, with ships of the First & Second Minesweeper Flotillas, to conduct mine sweeping off Kirkwall. The sweep had been ordered following the loss by mines of the S.S Ruby (29 March), and the Norwegian barque Urania similarly sunk the day before (as it turned out the latter had in fact been torpedoed by UC-42).

At 07.55 on 31 March a sweep was passed to H.M.S. Lupin and the flotilla swept up passed Auskerry and the east side of Stronsay close to Brough Head. The wind was NNW 5 and the log from H.M.S. Carnation reports heavy snow squalls.

At 09.55 the sweep was dropped and the ships proceeded south single line ahead, H.M.S. Gentian leading with H.M.S. Carnation sixth or seventh in line. At 10.45am the Carnation struck a mine. The position in the logbook is given as 59 01N 02 31W. The bow was badly damaged, with five of the crew being killed, and eight wounded.

At midday H.M.S. Godetia went alongside the damaged Carnation, made fast and then proceeded to tow the ship back to Kirkwall, passing through the gate at 18.30, and tied to pier at 19.00. The following additional detail is provided by W. H. D. Boyle in Gallant Deeds:

‘The Minelayer Carnation struck a mine with her stern. The fore part of the ship was immediately flooded, the upper deck slightly blown up abreast No 1 stokehold. Five ratings lost their lives and eight were injured as a result of the explosion. The Commanding Officer in reporting this mishap to his ship drew special attention to the behaviour of Stoker James Davies who, as he expressed it, "brought Stoker Samuels from a position right forward in the eyes of the ship, the forecastle being liable to drop off any minute". Stoker Davies again did good rescue work in extricating a badly injured man from the wreckage of the bow. For his gallant conduct and bearing, Stoker Davies was awarded the Conspicuous Gallantry Medal.’

Davies advanced to Acting Leading Stoker in August 1918 and was shore demobilised in May 1919, transferring to the Royal Fleet Reserve.