Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War Distinguished Service Cross awarded to Captain F. T. Skellern, Mercantile Marine

Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., the reverse inscribed (Capt. F. T. Skellern, Dec. 19th 1917); together with a fine oval portrait miniature of the recipient in uniform wearing D.S.C. ribbon, 45 x 35 mm, signed N. B. Simon, good very fine (2) £600-700

D.S.C. London Gazette 30 November, 1917: Captain Francis Thomas Skellern, Mercantile Marine ‘in recognition of zeal and devotion to duty shown in carrying on the trade of the country during the war.’

Skellern was Master of S.S. Horseferry which, on 17 August, 1917, was attacked by a U Boat in the North Sea. Skellern’s gunfire hit and damaged the U Boat.