Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Great War submariner’s D.S.M. group of five awarded to Petty Officer W. Rowley, Royal Navy, who was killed during the sinking of H.M. Submarine K4 on 31 January 1918

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (215872. W. Rowley. Lg. Sea. Submarine Service 1917.); 1914-15 Star (215872, W. Rowley, L.S. R.N.) officially reimpressed; British War and Victory Medals (215872. W. Rowley. P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (215872 William Rowley, Ldg. Sean. H.M.S. Fearless.) minor contact marks, generally good very fine (5) £800-£1,200

D.S.M. London Gazette 30 October 1917:
‘In recognition of services in submarines in enemy waters.’

William Rowley was born in Newcastle under Lyme, Staffordshire, on 15 September 1883 and served aboard H.M. Submarine K4 during the Great War. With a complement of 59 Officers and men, she was Commissioned on 1 January 1917 and, attached to the 13th Submarine Flotilla, was lost on 31 January 1918 during the night time fleet exercises later known as the ‘Battle of May Island’. At the time of her sinking, she was attempting to avoid a collision with her sister ship K3. Unfortunately, whilst avoiding collision with that submarine, she became the victim of collisions with H.M. Submarines K6 and K7. K4 was lost with all hands, including Petty Officer William Rowley, who is remembered on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial.

Sold with original Admiralty transmittal letter for the Great War campaign medals.