Orders, Decorations and Medals

A fine Great War Battle of Jutland D.S.O. group of five awarded to Captain G. A. Coles, Royal Navy - as C.O. of the destroyer H.M.S. Ambuscade, he participated in three torpedo attacks on the German battle line

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel; 1914-15 Star (Lt. Commr. G. A. Coles, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oakleaf (Commr. G. A. Coles, R.N.); Russia, Order of St. Anne, 3rd Class breast badge, with swords, bronze-gilt and enamel, together with Spink & Son Jutland commemorative, small silver, and R.N. tie-pin, central surround wreaths slightly chipped on the first, otherwise good very fine and better (7) £3500-4000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The collection of Medals formed by the Late Clive Nowell.

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D.S.O. London Gazette 15 September 1916 - as part of the Jutland despatches
The commander of his division speaks highly of the way he conned his ship. Ambuscade fired three torpedoes and the rapid reloading under fire reflects great credit on all concerned and proves the ship is in a high state of efficiency.

Russian Order of St. Anne London Gazette 5 June 1917
For distinguished services rendered in the Battle of Jutland.

Gordon Alston Coles was born in India in April 1882, the son of Charles Edward Coles, C.M.G., onetime Director of Prisons in Egypt. Having attended the Royal Naval College Britannia, young Gordon was appointed a Midshipman aboard H.M.S. Hawke on the Mediterranean Station in November 1897, and had risen to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander by the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914.

Subsequently appointed to the command of the destroyer Ambuscade in the Fourth Destroyer Flotilla, he was present at the Battle of Jutland, on which occasion he was commended for the manner in which he handled his command. Ambuscade launched her torpedo attacks between 11-12 p.m. on 31 May, when the Fourth Flotilla gallantly closed the the German battle line on no less than three occasions - as a result two enemy cruisers were put out of action, but several of Ambuscade’s consorts were badly damaged or sunk. Coles was awarded the D.S.O. and Russian Order of St. Anne (3rd Class), mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 6 July 1916 refers), and recommended for early promotion.

Duly advanced to Commander in December 1916, he took command of the destroyer Plucky in the same month, in which capacity he served until April 1918, when he came ashore to an appointment as C.O. of the Fisgard training establishment. Coles was placed on the Retired List at his own request in January 1923, upon which he was advanced to Captain in April 1927.

Recalled in August 1939, he appears to have been employed as a Convoy Routeing Officer on the Staff of the U.K’s Representative in Eire from November 1940 until the end of hostilities, his service record stating ‘not to be borne on ship’s books’. Coles was finally placed back on the Retired List in December 1946.