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

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (K.5345. J. W. N. Akid, Ldg. Sto. “Vindictive” Ostend 9-10 May 1918) very fine

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 28 August 1918 “The following awards have been approved in recognition of distinguished services during the second blocking operation against Ostend on the night of 9/10 May 1918.”

After the first unsuccessful attempt to block the harbour at Ostend on the night of 22-23rd April, Admiral Keyes determined to have another go. Accordingly, on the night of 9-10th May another attempt was made using as blockships the old VINDICTIVE, the survivor of Zeebrugge, and another old cruiser, SAPPHO. Many of the officers and men had taken part in the earlier attempt. SAPPHO had to return with engine trouble, but this time Commander Godsal made no mistake in spite of thick fog at a critical moment and took VINDICTIVE right into the harbour mouth. He was manoeuvring his ship to place her across the channel when an unlucky shell exploded on the bridge, killing him and badly wounding his navigating officer, Lieut Sir John Alleyn. Lieut Victor Crutchley, D.S.C. took charge of the ship and tried to swing her stern across the channel. Unknown to him, VINDICTIVE was actually aground amidships and could not be moved. Crutchley ordered his crew to abandon ship and get into the Motor Launches waiting to take them off. He himself toured the ship with a torch, to satisfy himself that there was no one alive left on board, before getting into ML.254. As Crutchley drew away, the charges set in VINDICTIVE blew up and the ship settled on the bottom, partially blocking the entrance.