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

Seven: Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (210040 J. Webb, P.O., Nl. Bde. Zeebrugge-Ostend. 22-23 April 1918); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (J. Webb, Boy 1Cl., H.M.S. Terpsichore); 1914-15 Star Trio (210040 J. Webb, P.O., R.N.); Coronation 1911; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., Admiral’s bust (210040 John Webb, P.O. H.M.S. Iron Duke) contact marks, therefore nearly 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 23 July 1918 ‘The following awards have been approved for services during the operations against Zeebrugge and Ostend on the night of 22/23 April 1918.’

When volunteers were called for from the Fleet to man the ships that had been assembled for the operation against Zeebrugge and Ostend, Petty Officer John Webb was serving aboard H.M.S. IRON DUKE and volunteered to join Sub Lieutenant F. E. Chevalier of the same ship who had already been accepted. Sub Lieutenant Chevalier was placed in Command of Numbers 1 and 3 Sections of the demolition parties forming ‘C’ Company, Seaman Storming Party. Petty Officer Webb accompanied Sub Lieutenant Chevalier with No. 1 Section’s Demolition Party. The task allocated to the Demolition Parties was the storming of the Mole and the destruction of the German gun emplacements, thereby creating a diversion whilst the block ships were manoeuvred into position.

‘C’ Company of the Seaman Storming Party sailed for Zeebrugge aboard the recently requisitioned Mersey Ferry DAFFODIL which, along with her sister ship IRIS, were to be bathed in glory for their outstanding contribution to the success of the mission. H.M.S. DAFFODIL, under the Command of Lieutenant H. G. Campbell, R.N., sailed under the direct orders of Captain A. F. B. Carpenter R.N., Commanding VINDICTIVE. The DAFFODIL was given the important job of holding VINDICTIVE against the Mole whilst the storming parties leapt ashore. This role she carried out with complete success, despite the surging, rising and falling that was taking place aboard VINDICTIVE and it was largely due to her action that elements from the Royal Marine and Royal Navy Storming Parties were able to land.

It was originally planned that after the VINDICTIVE had been secured to the Mole the DAFFODIL would moor alongside to allow ‘C’ Company to transfer over her decks to assault the Mole. This proved impractical as for the whole duration that VINDICTIVE was alongside the Mole, DAFFODIL’s bows were at a right angle to her side holding her securely in position. The Demolition Parties and Men of ‘C’ company seaman storming party were forced to transfer over the bow and on to the deck of VINDICTIVE. Despite these problems Lieutenant C. Dickinson, in overall Command of the Demolition Parties, and his second in Command, Sub Lieutenant F. E. Chevalier, rallied their Men, leapt across the gap between the ships and climbed up on to the Mole and fought their way to the nearest German gun emplacements, killing along the way a number of Germans. They laid their charges alongside the guns but owing to the close proximity of our own troops were unable to detonate them. There is little doubt that the Demolition Parties would have been able to carry out considerable destructive work if more time had been available. Whatever the results of their efforts it is certain that Dickinson and Chevalier and the men of the deomilition parties did all that was possible under the circumstances. Lieutenant Dickinson was awarded the D.S.O., Sub Lieutenant Chevalier the D.S.C. and 5 D.S.M’s, including one to Petty Officer J. Webb, were awarded to the members of ‘C’ Company Storming Party. It is noted in Admiralty records for this operation that Lieutenant Dickinson received a large number of votes for the Victoria Cross.