The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 1)

Seven: Conspicuous Gallantry Medal, G.V.R. (178489 T. J. Clark, P.O. 1Cl., H.M.S. Goliath); 1914-15 Star Trio (D.S.M. P.O.1., R.N.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (Dev.B.1535. P.O. R.F.R.); French Medaille Militaire; French Croix de Guerre 1914-17, contact marks, therefore nearly very fine and better (7)

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

View
Collection

C.G.M. London Gazette 10 April 1915:

"Petty Officer Clark was coxwain of H.M.S. GOLIATH's Steam Pinnace. He was wounded, but gallantly returned to the wheel, to which he stood until the boat was out of gunfire."

Medaille Militaire London Gazette 28 August 1918 “The following awards have been conferred by the President of the French Republic.”

Croix de Guerre London Gazette 14 September 1918 “The following awards have been conferred by the President of the French Republic.”

In the attack on the Harbour of Dar-Es-Salaam, on 28 November 1914, H.M.S. GOLIATH's Steam Pinnace was in the charge of Commander Henry Peel Pitcher R.N. A storm of fire burst upon them, the Germans firing shells and bullets from huts by the water’s edge, from houses in the city, from wooded groves and hills above, even from a cemetery. When the Coxwain, Petty Officer Clark was wounded he personally took over the wheel until he too collapsed having been wounded eight times in less than 20 minutes - on the forhead, in the left hand, twice in the left arm, in his right arm and hip, and finally two bullets through his right leg. The wheel was then taken over by A.B. George Upton. Shortly afterwards Petty Officer Clark, with his wound roughly bandaged, resumed his duties at the wheel and brought the vessel out of harbour and safely back alongside H.M.S. GOLIATH in the outer harbour, her decks literally running blood.
Commander Richie was awarded the first Naval Victoria Cross of the war, Petty Officer Clark the C.G.M., and Able Seaman Upton the D.S.M.