The Upfill-Brown Collection

A rare 1914 Rufigi Delta D.S. M. group to Able Seaman J. Simpson, Royal Navy

DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL, G.V.R. (A.B., H. M. S. Weymouth); AFRICA GENERAL SERVICE 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (Ord., H. M. S. Mowhawk); 1914-15 STAR (A.B., D.S. M., R.N.); BRITISH WAR and VICTORY MEDALS (A.B., R.N.), mounted for display, good very fine (5)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The AA Upfill-Brown Collection.

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D.S.M., London Gazette, 19 November, 1915: 'For services in the Rufigi River Delta, 10 December 1914.’

Able Seaman James Simpson was one of several officers and ratings drawn from the crew of H. M. S. Weymouth to assist in the sinking of the collier Newbridge, in order to block the Sununga branch of the Rufigi Delta. The Weymouth 's cutter and steamboat were considered ideal craft for the operation and Simpson found himself in charge of the latter's Maxim Gun on the forecastle. In the words of his subsequent recommendation, 'he stood without any protection, working his maxim with the greatest coolness, keeping up a particularly effective fire on the enemy's position. ' Meanwhile, the enemy were busy returning the compliment, Weymouth's steamboat sustaining 'at least 22 hits, while her Ensign was perforated by bullets and splinters in at least 15 places. '