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

Five: Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (214806 J. Simpson, A.B. H.M.S. Weymouth); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1902-04 (Ord., H.M.S. Mohawk); 1914-15 Star (D.S.M., A.B. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (A.B. R.N.) good very fine (5)

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 19 November 1915 “The following awards have been approved for services in the Rufigi River Delta 10 December 1914.”

The Admiralty had directed that the work of rendering the KONIGSBERG impotent was to take precedence over all other military considerations, however urgent. The first object of the operations, which were under Captain Drury-Lowe of the CHATHAM, was to block her in, and this he proposed to do by sinking the collier NEWBRIDGE in the mouth of the branch of the Rufigi up which she lay. On 6 November the KINFAUNS CASTLE arrived with a seaplane, with which the enemy's position could be determined. At daylight on 10 November the Collier was taken in by Commander Fitzmaurice of the CHATHAM, escorted by the armed Steamer DUPLEX, and the Steamboats of the three Cruisers armed and protected. On entering the river they came under a hot fire of Q.F. and machine guns which the guns of the ships could not subdue, but in spite of it they carried on, and succeeded in sinking the blockship fairly across the channel and getting off the men with very few casualties. Having by this skilful operation imprisoned the KONIGSBERG, at least for the time the Cruisers had still to remain to blockade the river, not only to prevent supplies reaching the KONIGSBERG but to see she did not clear the obstruction and break out.

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 Sunguna branch of the Rufigi Delta. The WEYMOUTH's whaler and steam cutter 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 gun with the greatest coolness, keeping up a particularly effective fire on the enemy's position. I cannot speak too highly of the calm manner and efficient way this Able Seaman carried out his duty.” Meanwhile the enemy were busy returning the compliment, WEYMOUTH's pinnace sustaining at least 22 hits, while her ensign was perforated by bullets and splinters in at least 15 places.