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

Six: Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (152170 A. J. Emms, Ch. P.O. H.M.S. Princess Margaret); East and West Africa 1887-1900, 1 clasp, Benin River 1894 (A.B. H.M.S. Philomel); 1914-15 Star Trio (C.P.O. R.N.); Royal Fleet Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., Admiral’s bust (PO.A.4654. C.P.O. R.F.R.); together with “Princess Margaret” commemorative medal by Spink & Son, London, white metal, Obv. Fouled Anchor within lifebelt inscribed with Ship’s name ‘Princess Margaret’; Rev. ‘Riga - London. From the grateful passengers in remembrance of their deliverance from the Bolsheviks 3 Jan 1919 - 17 Jan 1919’, contact marks but generally very fine or better (7)

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

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D.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1915 “For bravery and devotion to duty during minelaying operations.”

The award of the Distinguished Service Medal was in recognition of good services and devotion to duty whilst serving in the Minelayer H.M.S. PRINCESS MARGARET. In December 1914 the PRINCESS MARGARET was taken up from Merchant Service and converted to a Minelayer, with a mine carrying capacity of 500 mines. She was one of the largest Minelayers used by the Royal Navy.

Jesse Emms was born on 25 October 1874 at Branstone, Lincolnshire. He joined the service as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. IMPREGNABLE on 12 January 1890. Advanced to Able Seaman in April 1894 prior to participating in the Benin 1894 Expedition from H.M.S. PHILOMEL. Received promotion to Leading Seaman and Petty Officer in the years 1898 and 1901 respectively. During February 1914 he attained Chief Petty Officer status, serving aboard H.M.S. NAIAD, and then was drafted to H.M.S. PRINCESS MARGARET on 9 March 1915 where he served for over four years until demobilised on 18 April 1919. Although misdemeanours during 1903 and 1904 eliminated his chances of receiving the Royal Navy L.S. & G.C. medal, his retained services for the war caused him to be transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve on 21 October 1914. He was finally pensioned on 18 April1919 having been awarded his R.F.R. L.S. & G.C. medal early in 1919. He also received the unofficial commemorative medal from the grateful passengers of PRINCESS MARGARET in remembrance of their deliverance from the Bolsheviks 3rd Jan 1919 - 17th Jan 1919. For further details of this medal see lot 637.