Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1915 ‘Patrol Duty’ D.S.M group of six awarded to Chief Petty Officer H. C. Endacott, Royal Navy, who served in H.M.S. Scout during the military operations in connection with the re-conquest of the Sudan

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (121488 H. C. Endacotte [sic], C.P.O. H.M.S. Ebro.); Khedive’s Sudan 1896-1908, no clasp (H. C. Endacott. P.O. 1.Cl. H.M.S. Scout. 1896.) edge prepared prior to naming and impressed in the usual style associated with this ship; 1914-15 Star (121488, H. C. Endacott. C.P.O., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (121488 H. C. Endacott. C.P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (121488. H. C. Endacott, C.P.O. H.M.S. Pembroke.) mounted as worn in this order, nearly very fine and better (6) £1,200-£1,600

D.S.M. London Gazette 31 March 1916:
‘In recognition of their services in the Patrol Cruisers, under the command of Rear-Admiral Sir Dudley R. S. de Chair, K.C.B., M.V.O., during the period ending 31st December 1915.’

Henry Charles Endacott was born in Wenhaston, Suffolk, on 27 May 1867, and was educated at the Greenwich Hospital School, joining the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 30 November 1882. Advanced Petty Officer 1st Class on 24 May 1895, he joined H.M.S. Scout on 1 October 1895, and for his services off the Sudan coast between 30 March and 23 September 1896 he was awarded the Khedive’s Sudan Medal. Advanced Chief Petty Officer on 9 September 1903, he was shore pensioned on 6 December 1905, and joined the Royal Fleet Reserve at Chatham on 24 November 1906.

Recalled for service following the outbreak of the Great War, Endacott served initially at H.M.S. Pembroke, and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in early 1915. He joined the Armed Merchant Cruiser H.M.S. Ebro on 3 April 1915 and served in her until after the cessation of hostilities, finally being shore pensioned on 9 February 1919. For his services in patrol duty in 1915 he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

Amongst Royal Naval personnel the Khedive’s Sudan Medal was only awarded to the crews of H.M. Ships Scout (149) and Melita (139). Those medals awarded to the crew of Scout were named up on the initiative of the ship’s Captain, whilst those medals awarded to the crew of Melita were issued unnamed. Neither crew were entitled to the Queen’s Sudan Medal.