Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Dogger Bank’ D.S.M. awarded to Stoker Petty Officer S. Westaway, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his gallantry below decks on the destroyer H.M.S. Meteor, when his ship suffered under a galling fire and was knocked out while delivering a decisive torpedo strike on the German armoured cruiser S.M.S. Blücher

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (300938 S. Westaway, Sto. P.O. H.M.S. Meteor:) slight edge bruising and contact wear, about very fine £600-£800

D.S.M. London Gazette 3 March 1915:
‘In recognition of the services mentioned in the foregoing despatch’ (Vice-Admiral David Beatty’s despatch of 2 February 1915 refers).’

The original recommendation states: ‘Petty Officer Westaway assisted Flood in shutting off valves &c. and managed to remain below in spite of fumes.’

Samuel Westaway, who was born in 1883 in Bristol. He volunteered for a 12 year engagement in the Royal Navy in July 1902 and was transferred to the Montagu as a Stoker 2nd Class in October 1905. Westaway would have been aboard when this pre-dreadnought battleship was negligently run aground off Lundy Island in late May 1906. Despite repeated attempts to refloat the ship, she was ultimately broken up in situ.
Joining the Destroyer Meteor in the rate of Stoker Petty Officer in September 1914, Westaway went on to win the D.S.M. for services during the Battle of Dogger Bank on 24 January 1915 – he was mentioned in Beatty’s despatch of 2 February. In that memorable engagement, the Meteor, led three other destroyers in a torpedo attack against the heavy cruiser Blücher. Under a galling fire, Meteor delivered the torpedo strike that caused the mighty Blucher to strike her flag and, shortly afterwards, capsize and sink. In return for her gallant close range attack, Meteor was five times hit by the Blucher’s guns, one shell hitting the forward boiler room which knocked her out of action, killing four and wounding two as evidenced by her Captain’s description of the episode:

‘After Lion had quitted the line, I placed myself on the starboard side of Tiger, and steamed alongside of her about 4 cables off and attacked Blücher with a torpedo which I discharged at an estimated range of 4000 yards, - a broadside shot. Torpedo was set for H.S.
At the exact moment of firing, about 11.20am, Blücher hit Meteor with an 8.2” projectile in the foremost Boiler Room which burst in the middle of No. 1 Boiler, entirely wrecking it. The large amount of smoke and steam which escaped prevented the course of the torpedo being followed, but Blücher sank well within half an hour of the discharge of the torpedo.’

One officer and three ratings were decorated for their actions on board Meteor, all in connection with the aftermath of the strike on the boiler room. The officer in question, Lieutenant F. T. Peters, R.N. received the D.S.O. and went on to add the V.C. and D.S.C. and bar to his accolades. His D.S.O. and 1914-15 Star were sold in these rooms in June 2007.
Westaway’s recommendation references Stoker Petty Officer, Michael Flood who was similarly rewarded with the D.S.M. with the following recommendation:
‘Went below very promptly after the explosion to shut off stop valves. Was partially overcome by fumes and had to come on deck, but returned almost immediately to complete his work.’

Meteor was towed back to the Humber by the destroyer Liberty and she was awarded the Battle Honour ‘Dogger Bank 1915’ for her services on that occasion. Following repairs she joined the 10th Destroyer Flotilla in June 1915. Westaway remained with the ship until February 1917 after which he concluded his naval career with 17 months service aboard Cornwall from 4 August 1917. He was discharged in February 1919.

Sold with copied research and three copied photographs.