Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Evacuation of Gallipoli Operations’ D.S.M. group of five awarded to Chief Stoker E. J. Rhymes, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (167889 Ch. Sto., Gallipoli Opns. 1915-6); 1914-15 Star (167882 Ch. Sto., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (167889); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., E.VII.R. (167889 Ch. Sto., H.M.S. Leander) good very fine (5) £900-1100

D.S.M. London Gazette 15 May 1916. ‘... in recognition of the services of Petty Officers and Men of the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron during the evacuation of the Gallipoli Peninsula in December 1915-January 1916’.

Edward John Rhymes was born in Bristol on 16 November 1872. He entered the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on Vivid II on 7 July 1892 and was advanced to Stoker when on Himalaya in April 1893. He was promoted to Leading Stoker 2nd Class in October 1900 when on Vivid II; Leading Stoker 1st Class in October 1902 when on Ramillies; Acting Chief Stoker in April 1904 when on Leander and Chief Stoker in April 1905 when on Vivid II. With the onset of war he was again on Vivid II, but served on the battlecruiser Tiger, October 1914-May 1915, seeing action at the battle of Dogger Bank, 24 January 1915. He was then based in the Aegean Sea on Europa II, May-December 1915; St. George, January-March 1916 and Europa II, March-May 1916, being part of the ‘Stavros Beach Party’. For his services in the evacuation of Gallipoli Operations of 1915-16 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. He was discharged on 11 August 1919. With copied service papers.