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

Four: Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (201278 A. Clarke, A.B. R.N. Armoured Trains France 1915); 1914 Star Trio, with Mons clasp (A.B. Armd. Trains); British War and Victory Medals (A.B. R.N.) light contact marks, otherwise very fine and very rare (4)

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

View
Collection

D.S.M. London Gazette 17 October 1919 “The following awards have been approved.” This separate heading gives three names, including Able Seaman Clarke, these being the only three D.S.M.’s awarded for service with the Armoured Trains in France.

Albert Clarke was born in Marylebone, London, on 29 October 1881. He worked as a fish porter before enlisting on 2 September 1898 as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. NORTHAMPTON. Advanced to Boy 1st Class in 1898 and to Able Seaman in July 1900. He maintained this rank until discharged to shore in 1908 having served in a great number of ships and shore bases.

On the outbreak of war he enlisted on 27 August 1914 in the rank of Able Seaman and was drafted to the following Shore Bases, H.M.S. PEMBROKE, ACTAEON and PEMBROKE, all in the space of 10 days! He volunteered for service with the Naval Armoured Trains on 2 October 1914 and continued to serve until 23 September 1915 when he returned to H.M.S. PEMBROKE. Whilst in France it is known that he served on H.M. Armoured Train JELLICOE

On 1 December 1915 he joined H.M.S. TITANIA, an armed Drifter hired by the Admiralty for harbour and miscellaneous services. He served in this vessel until 11 December1917 when he was posted back to H.M.S. PEMBROKE where he continued to serve until 2 August 1918 when he joined H.M.S. WALLINGTON, a boom defence vessel. On 16 January 1919 he was transferred to H.M.S. HECLA Torpedo Depot Ship prior to being demobilised on 11 March 1919. His prospect of being awarded the L.S. & G.C. medal was forfeited by two conduct and character assessments of 'Fair', the first whilst serving aboard H.M.S. PEMBROKE I in 1906 and the second whilst aboard H.M.S. PEMBROKE in 1908.

The group is sold with an original parchment Certificate for Wounds and Hurts and his original parchment Certificate of Service which carries the note “12 June 1917. Noted for war services. Operations in France. Ref. AWO 2113.17.”