Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.S.M. group of four awarded to Able Seaman J. Chambers, Royal Navy, for his services in H.M.S. Vindictive in the raid on Ostende, 9-10 May 1918, during which he was wounded

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (225973. J. Chambers. A.B. “Vindictive” Ostend. 9-10 May 1918.); 1914-15 Star (225973, J. Chambers, A.B., R.N.); British War Medal 1914-20 (225973 J. Chambers. A.B. R.N.); Victory Medal 1914-19, naming erased on last, good very fine (4) £1,200-£1,600

D.S.M. London Gazette 28 August 1918:
‘In recognition of distinguished service mentioned in the foregoing despatch. [see M.I.D. citation below]’

M.I.D. London Gazette 28 August 1918:
‘The following volunteered for a very hazardous service and distinguished themselves in the Vindictive on the night of 9th-10th May. Lieutenant Crutchley reports: “I find it impossible to select any other names, as all behaved equally well” ... A.B. John Chambers, O.N. 225973 (Ch.) ...‘

John Chambers was born in Chelsea, London, on 14 December 1887 and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 29 April 1903. He served during the Great War borne on the books of various shore based establishments, and took part in the Ostend Raid, 9-10 May 1918.

The Ostend Raid, 9-10 May 1918
After the first unsuccessful attempt to block the harbour at Ostend on the night of 22-23 April, Admiral Keyes determined to have another go. Accordingly, on the night of 9-10 May another attempt was made using as blockships the old cruiser H.M.S. Vindictive, the survivor of Zeebrugge raid, and another old cruiser, H.M.S. Sappho. Many of the officers and men had taken part in the earlier attempt. Sappho had to return with engine trouble, but this time Commander Godsal made no mistake in spite of thick fog at a critical moment and took Vindictive right into the harbour mouth. He was manoeuvring his ship to place her across the channel when an unlucky shell exploded on the bridge, killing him and badly wounding his navigating officer, Lieutenant Sir John Alleyn. Lieutenant Victor Crutchley, D.S.C. took charge of the ship and tried to swing her stern across the channel. Unknown to him, Vindictive was actually aground amidships and could not be moved. Crutchley ordered his crew to abandon ship and get into the Motor Launches waiting to take them off. He himself toured the ship with a torch, to satisfy himself that there was no one alive left on board, before getting into ML.254. As Crutchley drew away, the charges set in Vindictive blew up and the ship settled on the bottom, partially blocking the entrance.

Chambers was wounded in the raid, and for his gallantry was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Distinguished Service Medal. He was demobilised on 4 June 1921.

Sold together with the recipient’s Mentioned in Despatches Certificate, this mounted on a card board.