Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War anti-U-boat operations D.S.M. group of four awarded to Deck Hand S. Beck, Royal Naval Reserve, who remained at the gun of his armed trawler after being seriously wounded during a duel with an enemy submarine in June 1918

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (SD. 2496 S. Beck, Dk. Hd., R.N.R., “Aisne”, Atlantic, 20 June 1918); 1914-15 Star (S.D. 2496 S. Beck, D.H., R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (2496 S.D. S. Beck, D.H., R.N.R.), generally good very fine (4) £800-1000

D.S.M. London Gazette 5 October 1918:

‘For services in action with enemy submarines.’

The original recommendation states:

‘He displayed very great coolness and continued serving his gun after being wounded.’

Sydney Beck was born in Rochester, Kent, in April 1885 and, as a member of the Special Fishery Reserve, was enrolled in the Royal Naval Reserve in August 1915.

Shortly thereafter joining the armed trawler Aisne as a Seaman Gunner, he was similarly employed on 20 June 1918, when in company with two other armed trawlers, the Aisne engaged and drove off a large enemy submarine, largely as a result of Beck’s gallant stand at his gun, where he received a serious shrapnel wound in his left thigh. The following account of the action appeared in The Derby Daily Telegraph:

‘A successful action which three trawlers, one unarmed, fought with a submarine is described. They were returning from the fishing-grounds when a U-boat opened fire at a range of 4500 yards. The skipper in charge at once instructed the unarmed trawler to keep clear and the two armed boats were brought round so that their guns could bear upon the German. The odds were all against these gallant fishermen, for the submarine appeared to be very long, and carried three guns. After firing several rounds it came in rapidly, and swinging broadside on, fired a salvo of shells at the trawlers and withdrew again.

Each of the skippers had taken up a position on the top of his wheelhouse, from which he directed the gunners' fire, assisted by deck-hands stationed in the rigging of the foremast. The German continued his tactics of swift rushes, and soon shells were falling all round the trawlers. When the unequal fight had lasted an hour the first trawler was hit on her starboard side, the shell piercing her bulwarks, deck, boiler casing, and boat.  A shell splinter wounded the chief engineer who was on duty in the engine-room, and another shell burst on the port side, wounding the gunner in the leg, breaking the wheel-house windows, and penetrating both wheel-house and funnel.

Meanwhile the skipper of the second trawler was struck on the head by a piece of shrapnel. Although losing blood freely, he did not leave the roof, but hastily bandaging his wound with some handkerchiefs continued to direct the gunners. A few minutes later a shell burst within two feet of the taffrail, and the second gunner [Beck] was severely wounded by shrapnel in the leg. After that the second trawler was struck below the waterline, close to the rudder, and her after-end began to fill. The skipper thought his vessel would sink, but continued the action.

Again the submarine poured another broadside over the trawlers, but before she could draw off both vessels had replied with a couple of well directed-rounds, which the gunners are confident hit the enemy. At any rate, the German broke off the engagement and steamed away.

Although out-gunned, the trawlers had fought a highly successful action, and all three vessels were able to return in safety to port. The first trawler fired 36 shells and the second 17, as compared with the submarine's 200 rounds. In the words of the official report, ‘all ratings did their duty as British seamen, and said they would fight to the last.’ ’

Beck was transferred to the hospital ship China, and thence to the R.N. Hospital at Chatham, where he died on 12 November 1918, his condition having been complicated by pneumonia. He left a widow, and was buried in St. Margaret’s Cemetery, Rochester.

His C.O., Skipper W. J. Parish, R.N.R., was awarded the D.S.C. on the same occasion, the Vice-Admiral forwarding the recommendations stating ‘it was a fight and a victory typical of the men who were engaged in it. I consider the gallantry and determination displayed and the skilful handling of the situation during the action reflect the greatest credit on all concerned and call for an expression of their high appreciation.’

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