Orders, Decorations and Medals

A Great War D.S.C. group of eight awarded to Commander H. E. Raymond, Royal Navy, for the sinking of an enemy submarine when in command of H.M.S. P-12 at night in May 1917

Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R.; 1914-15 Star (Lieut., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut., R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Defence & War Medals; French Croix de Guerre, with bronze palm, very fine and better (8) £1200-1500

D.S.C. London Gazette 22 June 1917. The recommendation states ‘Sank an enemy submarine on the night of 2 May 1917, at 2.30am. Acted in a prompt and gallant manner.’ This statement is also recorded on his service record.

French Croix de Guerre London Gazette 30 November 1917.

Hugh Evelyn Raymond was born on 5 May 1889 and joined the Royal Navy as a Midshipman on 30 July 1905. He was serving aboard the battleship Russell when war broke out in 1914 and continued in that ship until she struck a mine at Malta on 26 April 1916 and sank with the loss of 124 officers and men. Raymond was amongst the 625 officers and men saved, who included Rear-Admiral S. R. Freemantle and Captain W. Bowden-Smith. His service record carries an entry stating that he ‘Worked in most dangerous surroundings, devoted himself to evacuating the wounded and saving life during sinking of Russell.’

In January 1917 he took command of H.M.S. P-12 and won the D.S.C. for sinking an enemy submarine in May 1917. He commanded Nymphe from July 1917, and the destroyer Nessus from 28 April 1918 until she was sunk in a collision with the cruiser Amphitrite whilst patrolling in the North Sea in dense fog on 8 September 1918. The Nessus sank but her official complement were all saved. Raymond was next given command of Ledas and continued to serve in various ships and shore stations until his retirement in 1932 as a Commander. He was recalled for service during the Second World War for Transport, Training and Maintainance duties.