Auction Catalogue

4 & 5 March 2020

Starting at 10:00 AM

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Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

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Lot

№ 86

.

4 March 2020

Hammer Price:
£1,000

A Great War 1917 ‘Belgian Coast’ D.S.M. group of four awarded to Chief Engine Room Artificer, later Senior Commander Engineer, R. V. Nelson, who served with the destroyer H.M.S. Broke at Jutland, and during the Second Battle of Dover Strait, 20/21 April 1918 - for which he was mentioned in despatches

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (272497. R. N. [sic] Nelson. C.E.R.A. Belgian Coast. 1917); 1914-15 Star (272497. R. V. Nelson, E.R.A.2, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oak Leaves (Art. Eng. R. V. Nelson. R.N.) mounted for wear, generally good very fine (4) £700-£900

D.S.M. London Gazette 26 April 1918:

‘In recognition of operations on the Belgian Coast.’

M.I.D.
London Gazette 10 May 1917:

‘Honours for service in action between H.M. Ships
“Swift” and “Broke” and German destroyers on the night of the 20th to 21st of April 1917.’

Ralph Victor Nelson was born in Limehouse, London in September 1883. He joined the Royal Navy as an Engine Room Artificer 4th Class in October 1907. Nelson advanced to Engine Room Artificer 2nd Class, and served with H.M.S. Broke from December 1914 to October 1918. During which period, she served as part of the 4th Destroyer Flotilla at the Battle of Jutland, 31 May - 1 June 1916. The Broke received devastating damage from the German battleship Westfalen, and lost control eventually ramming into H.M.S. Sparrowhawk.

Nelson subsequently served with the
Broke during the Second Battle of Dover Strait, 20/21 April 1917. On the latter date H.M. Ships Broke and Swift engaged a raiding force of six German torpedo boats near the Goodwin Sands off Deal, Kent. The Swift torpedoed SMS G85 whilst the Broke rammed SMS G42. The two ships became locked together, and close-quarters fighting between the crews took place with the German sailors trying to board the British vessel. The Broke eventually extricated herself, and the German vessel sank.

Nelson was commissioned Artificer Engineer in March 1918, and advanced to Senior Commander Engineer.