Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An outstanding D.S.M., S.G.M. group of nine awarded to Petty Officer F. S. Nicoll, Royal Navy, whose three foreign decorations combine to make a unique combination of awards

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (210751. F. S. Nicoll, A.B. H.M.S. Sharpshooter. 5 June 1917.); 1914-15 Star (210751 F. S. Nicoll. A.B. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (210751 F. S. Nicoll. P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue (210751 F. S. Nicoll. P.O. H.M.S. Pembroke); Sea Gallantry Medal, Silver, G.V.R. (Francis Stewart Nicoll, “Kittiwake” 9th April 1917); Medaille Militaire, silver, gilt and enamel, enamel chipped on obverse and entirely lacking from reverse; French Croix de Guerre, 1914 1917, with bronze palm; Al Valore Militare, bronze, mint mark ‘FG’, unnamed, generally very fine or better (9) £2000-3000

D.S.M. London Gazette 14 September 1917: ‘For services in action with enemy submarines.’

On 5 June 1917 ships of the 5th light Cruiser Squadron bombarded Ostend. They were attacked by German destroyers. Sharpshooter and other destroyers of the Dover Patrol drove them off, sinking one and damaging another. For this action Nicoll was awarded the D.S.M. and also ‘recommended for French or Italian decoration’. Lieutenant-Commander E. K. Boddam-Whetham received the D.S.O. and Lieutenant E. G. N. Rushbrooke the D.S.C.

S.G.M. presented by the King, 23 March 1918.

On 9 April 1917, the S.S. Kittiwake, of Cork, was torpedoed by an enemy submarine in the North Sea, seven lives being lost. After H.M.S. Sharpshooter had rescued 17 members of the crew who were supposed to be the only survivors, a voice was heard calling from the Kittiwake. The Sharpshooter again approached the Kittiwake which by this time was badly on fire amidships. A lifeboat was launched from the Sharpshooter and under the command of Lieutenant E. G. N. Rushbrooke, this boat proceeded to the Kittiwake. Lieutenant Rushbrook and Able Seaman F. S. Nicoll boarded the wreck and found a man buried in the wreckage, with his clothing on fire. After some difficulty they managed to extricate the man and take him off. Three minutes later the Kittiwake broke her back. Considerable risk was incurred by Lieutenant Rushbrooke and Able Seaman Nicoll in rendering the service. Both men received the Sea Gallantry Medal in silver.

Medaille Militaire London Gazette 21 June 1918.

Croix de Guerre London Gazette 19 December 1917.

Al Valore Militare (Bronze) London Gazette 16 March 1918.

Francis Stewart Nicoll was born on 23 April 1885, at Brechin, Forfarshire. He joined the Royal Navy on 27 July 1900 and entered H.M.S. Caledonia, Training Ship for Boys at Queensferry, as a Boy 2nd Class. He first went to sea in H.M.S. Agincourt in January 1902 but transferred a few days later to H.M.S. Irresistible where he remained until November 1904. In the following period to February 1910 he spent most of his time in shore bases, having one sea-going spell in H.M.S. Leda from July 1905 to September 1906. He was aboard H.M.S. London from February 1910 to March 1912. After a period ashore at Sheerness he went to H.M.S. Chatham and served in her from December 1912 to February 1916. Chatham was involved in the Konigsberg operations in the Rufiji River delta in December 1914, and in early 1915 moved to the Mediterranean to assist in the Gallipoli landings. Apart from short periods ashore he spent the remainder of the war in the destroyers Lennox, Sharpshooter, Ullswater and Swallow, all operating out of Harwich. His exploits in Sharpshooter from April to October 1917 were recognised by not only the D.S.M. and S.G.M. but also by three foreign decorations from the governments of France and Italy. Whilst serving in Swallow he was promoted to Petty Officer in October 1918. He was finally discharged to ‘Shore on reduction of pensioners’ on 31 January 1923. Sold with copied record of service, Admiralty report on sinking of German T.B.D. S.20 and letter from the Department of Trade (1980) giving details of his S.G.M. award.