The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 2)

Six: Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., obverse centre a little depressed and some chips to green wreath; Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., bronze (Commander Herbert Charles Valentine Beresford Cheetham, R.N.R. “Ivy” 21st October 1914); 1914-15 Star Trio, M.I.D. (Commr. H. C. V. P. Cheetham, R.N.R.); Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, G.V.R., reverse hallmarked 1911, very fine and a rare combination (6)

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

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D.S.O. (Cameroons) London Gazette 1 January 1917 ‘The King has been graciously pleased to give orders for the following appointment to the Distinguished Service Order. Commander H. C. V. B. Cheetham, R.D., R.N.R. As Chief Transport Officer with the Cameroons Expeditionary Force, Commander Cheetham performed exceptional service under heavy fire during the attacks on Jabassi on 8 October 1914, and in the subsequent embarkation of troops and retirement down stream of the flotilla after dark. He commanded the advanced detachment down stream of the Nyong Flotilla on the Edea Expedition, driving out a hostile party from Dehane, and thereby enabling the French troops to land without opposition.’

Sea Gallantry Medal (Bronze) ‘For gallantry in saving life when the whaler belonging to the Nigerian Government Yacht “IVY” capsized when crossing the bar of the Njong River 21.10.1914.’ Commander Cheetham received this decoration from the King on 29 February 1916.

A whaler belonging to the Nigerian Government, yacht IVY with four officers and nine natives on board, was capsized in the surf on the bar of the Njong River. The lifeboat of the S.S. FELLAH was immediately launched and under the Command of Commander Cheetham and manned by Lieutenants Clough and Daniel, with crew members Odham, Grant, Farrell and Davis, succeeded in rescuing Captain Fuller and eight natives. Before being rescued Captain Fuller had twice been dragged away from the capsized whaler by natives clinging to him, but he managed to pull them up to the boat, thus saving their lives. Lieutenant Webb jumped overboard from the FELLAH with a line around him and attempted to rescue those in the water but was unable to reach them. Considerable risk was incurred in rendering the services on account of the heavy surf on the bar.

Herbert Cheetham enrolled in the R.N.R. as a Sub Lieutenant on 12 August 1896, was promoted to Lieutenant R.N.R. on 8 January 1901. He joined the Southern Nigerian Marine in July 1901 as a Marine Officer and appears on the medal roll as having taken part in the Aro Expedition 1901-02. He was promoted in May 1906 to Senior Marine Officer and in October 1914 he was advanced to Senior Marine Officer 1st Grade and promoted to Principal Marine Officer in January 1920. He served throughout the Great War with the Nigerian Marine and was Senior Marine Officer during the Cameroons Expedition 1914-15, ending up as Harbour Master at Port Harcourt in 1919. In recognition of his war services he was promoted to Captain R.N.R. on 11 November 1918. He retired in 1922.