Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A fine Great War 1917 ‘Second Battle of Heligoland Bight’ D.S.M. group of six awarded to Chief Petty Officer A. R. Brotherton, Royal Navy, who served for 17 years as Coxswain to Admiral Sir Walter ‘Tich’ Cowan, was a veteran of the Battle of Dogger Bank, 24 January 1915, was Mentioned in Despatches for his services with H.M.S. Princess Royal during the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916, and was awarded the D.S.M. and promoted for his gallantry with H.M.S. Caledon during the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight, 17 November 1917. The latter being a V.C. action for the ship - with Able Seaman J. H. Carless being awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for his gallantry that day.

Having served with Cowan in the Sapphire, Gloucester, Zealandia, and Princess Royal, Brotherton finished his service career with Cowan and the Caledon during the British naval intervention in the Baltic, January - May 1919

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (184902 A. R. Brotherton, P.O. 1Cl. “Caledon” Heligoland Bight. 17. Nov. 1917.); China 1900 (A. R. Brotherton, A.B., H.M.S. Undaunted.); 1914-15 Star (184902, A. R. Brotherton, P.O. 1., R.N.) with torpedo shaped badge, wreathed with ‘H.M.S. Caledon’, on riband; British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaves (184902 A. R. Brotherton. C.P.O. R.N.) both with Oak Leaves sewn on riband; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (184902 A. R. Brotherton, P.O. 1 Cl., H.M.S. Vivid.) mounted as originally worn, last with official corrections, generally good very fine (6) £2,400-£3,000

D.S.M. London Gazette 6 April 1918.

M.I.D. London Gazette 15 September 1916 (Jutland):

‘Commended for Good Service in Action of 31st May 1916.’

Albert Richard Brotherton was born in Dublin, Ireland, and joined the Royal Navy as Boy 2nd Class in July 1895. He advanced to Ordinary Seaman, and served with H.M.S. Undaunted, March 1897 - April 1901. Brotherton was promoted Petty Officer 1st Class in March 1907, and service during the Great War included with the battleship H.M.S. Zealandia, as part of the 2nd Battle Cruiser Squadron at the Battle of Dogger Bank, 24 January 1915.

Brotherton subsequently served with H.M.S. Princess Royal, 20 February 1915 - 7 July 1917. During the latter period he was present with her at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May 1916. At Jutland she was the flagship of the 1st Battle Cruiser Squadron, under the command of Rear-Admiral Osmond Brock, and engaged the Lützow and the Derfflinger. She received damage from nine direct hits, and responded with her own direct hits on the Lützow and the Seydlitz.

Brotherton transferred to H.M.S. Caldeon, and served with her 8 July 1917 - 17 May 1919. During the latter period he was present with her as part of the 1st Light Cruiser Squadron at the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight, 17 November 1917. The Caledon, under the command of Commodore W. H. Cowan, came under fire from two German Kaiser-class battleships, SMS Kaiser and SMS Kaiserin during the course of the battle. She received minor damage, and suffered five of her crew as killed, with one man, Able Seaman J. H. Carless being awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross for remaining at his gun after receiving a fatal wound. Brotherton was awarded the D.S.M. and promoted to Chief Petty Officer as a reflection of his gallantry during the battle.

In January 1919 Cowan took the Caledon as his flagship to participate in the British naval intervention in the Baltic. Brotherton continued to serve with Cowan, and the Caledon shelled Soviet forces at Ventspils in February 1919. The Caledon carried out another tour in April, before being relieved by H.M.S. Curacoa in May 1919. Brotherton transferred to H.M.S. Delhi in June 1919, and was ‘Pensioned’ in April 1920.

The Flag Lieutenant of H.M.S. Delhi gave the following testimonial, 24 April 1920:

‘Chief Petty Officer Albert Brotherton D.S.M. has served as Coxswain to Admiral Sir Walter Cowan K.C.B. D.S.O. rtc. for the last seventeen years [other ships that Brotherton served with Cowan, include pre-war with H.M.S. Sapphire and Gloucester] and I have known him since 1917 as a most reliable, competent and trustworthy Chief Petty Officer. Always willing and obliging with a manner which soon makes him a valued friend of all he comes in contact with.’

Sold with the following original documentation: Parchment Certificate of Service; Gunnery and Torpedo History Sheet; Admiralty letter concerning the award of the D.S.M. and promotion, signed Walter Cowan, Commodore Commanding First Light Cruiser Squadron, dated 17 March 1919; seven letters of testimonial written by various naval officers in April 1920, and portrait photograph of recipient in later life wearing his medals.