Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War minesweeping operations D.S.C. awarded to Chief Skipper F. Wink, Royal Naval Reserve

Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., hallmarks for London 1916, the reverse privately inscribed, ‘Skipper F. Wink, No. 33 W.S.A.’, in its Garrard & Co. case of issue, together with a portrait photograph taken from a contemporary postcard, extremely fine £600-700

D.S.C. London Gazette 1 January 1916:

‘In recognition of bravery and devotion to duty during minesweeping and mine-laying operations.’

The original recommendation states:

‘He displayed smartness in handling his ship on minefields at all times, but particularly on one occasion when he had three mines in the sweep, two of them foul of the kite and the other foul of the sweep wire. The manner in which the mines had fouled the kite and sweep caused great danger to his ship. There seems no doubt but that his presence of mind and smartness in manoeuvring his vessel saved her from destruction.’

Frederick Wink, who was born in Grimsby in 1881, was appointed a Skipper in the Trawler Reserve of the Royal Naval Reserve in June 1911 (No. 33 W.S.A.). At the time of winning his D.S.C., he was in command of the Yesso, a vessel of the Peterhead Minesweeping Flotilla, the above related near squeak with three mines taking place on 26 August 1915, and resulting in the official thanks and appreciation of Their Lordships (his service papers refer). His subsequent wartime appointments included command of the Sargon and Saturn, both requisitioned trawlers, and he was advanced to Chief Skipper in July 1917.

In addition to receiving the 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals, Wink was awarded the Silver War Badge, having been removed from the strength of the Trawler Reserve as physically unfit in September 1918. He was also a recipient of the King’s Special Discharge Certificate in February 1919.