Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Armed Merchant Cruiser’ D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Chief Yeoman of Signals J. B. Gunn, Royal Navy, for services in H.M.S. Alsatian, flagship of the 10th Cruiser Squadron

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (189705. J. B. Gunn. Ch. Yeo. Sigs. H.M.S. Alsatian.); Africa General Service 1902-56, 1 clasp, Somaliland 1908-10 (189705. J. B. Gunn. Act. Ch. Yeo. Sigs. H.M.S. Philomel.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Persian Gulf 1909-1914 (189705. J. B. Gunn. Act. Ch. Yeo. Sigs. H.M.S. Philomel.); 1914-15 Star (189705. J. B. Gunn, C.Y.S., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (189705. J. B. Gunn. C.Y.S., R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (189705 J. B. Gun, Ch. Yeo of Sigs, H.M.S. Victory) mounted as worn, light contact marks, otherwise very fine and better (7) £800-1000

D.S.M. London Gazette 31 March 1916: ‘For services in the Patrol Cruisers, under the command of Rear-Admiral Sir Dudley R. S. De Chair, K.C.B., M.V.O., during the period ending 31st December, 1915:- Chief Yeoman of Signals John Burnard Gunn.’

H.M.S. Alsatian was a commercial liner converted for use as an Armed Merchant Cruiser. Joining the 10th Cruiser Squadron she became flagship for Rear-Admiral Dudley De Chair, and later for Vice-Admiral Sir Reginald Tupper. Patrolling off the Shetland Islands as part of the Northern Patrol, she assisted in the blockade of Germany. Chief Yeoman of Signals Gunn was presented with his D.S.M. by Vice-Admiral Tupper, at sea, on 16 April 1916.