Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War D.S.M. group of five awarded to Able Seaman E. W. Wills, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (J.173, A.B., English Channel 3 June 1917); 1914-15 Star (J.173 A.B., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.173 A.B., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R.., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (J.173 A.B., H.M.S. Victory), last with correction to initials, contact marks, fine (5) £600-800

D.S.M. London Gazette 20 July 1917. ‘... for action with enemy submarines’.

Esau William Wills was born in Poole, Dorset, on 4 July 1891. A Brickmaker by occupation, he entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 4 July 1909. Promoted to Boy 1st Class in December 1908, he was advanced to Ordinary Seaman in July 1909 and Able Seaman in December 1910 whilst serving on the battleship Dreadnaught. He served most of the Great War aboard the pre-dreadnaught battleship Queen, June 1914-February 1917. For the remainder of the war he was based at Victory I, Research and Victory X. Sold with copied service paper.