Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Sea Gallantry Medal (Foreign Services), G.V.R., silver, ‘From the British Government, For Gallantry and Humanity’ (E. Dyselynck, 16th August 1918) in (damaged) case of issue, nearly extremely fine £260-300

E. Dyselynck was a member of the crew of the Dutch lifeboat at Cadzand.

‘On 16 August 1918, a British aeroplane containing two officers, was badly damaged by anti-aircraft guns over Zeebrugge. Van der Heuvel observed that the machine was in trouble and ran, and informed a Dutch medical officer in case his services were needed, and this officer telephoned to Oostburg for a motor ambulance. In the meanwhile, Van der Heuvel called for volunteers to man the lifeboat. The damaged machine was well within Dutch territorial waters, and was still being attacked by two German planes. Van der Heuvel accordingly shouted to the coast battery to open fire and the Germans then hurried away. The British machine was unable to make a landing on the beach and was obliged to alight on a minefield of Cadzand. Notwithstanding the great risk involved, the lifeboat then proceeded to the rescue of the two occupants of the plane, one of whom was badly wounded. The injured officer was taken into the lifeboat in an almost unconscious state, while another boat belonging to a patrol steamer, rescued his companion. The injured officer was rowed ashore and was driven to Oostburg where his arm was later amputated.’ (from The Sea Gallantry Medal, by R. J. Scarlett).

Van der Heuval and the seven men of the lifeboat, including Dyselynck, were each awarded the Sea Gallantry Medal (Foreign Services) in Silver. Each man was also awarded the South Holland Society Medal for Saving Life from Shipwreck