Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Gallipoli Operations’ D.S.M. group of seven awarded to Chief Petty Officer and Warrant Recruiter P. P. Smith, Royal Navy, who was employed in beach parties from H.M.S. Europa at Helles where the work ‘was always arduous and frequently carried out under heavy shell fire’

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (J.6884 P. P. Smith, Lg. Sean. Gallipoli Opns. 1915-6); 1914-15 Star (J.6884 P. P. Smith, P.O., R.N.; British War and Victory Medals (J.6884 P. P. Smith. P.O. R.N.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension, with Second Award Bar (J.6884 P. P. Smith. C.P.O. H.M.S. Columbine) together with two identity discs, all mounted on card for display, contact marks and pitting to the Great War awards, better than good fine, otherwise good very fine (7) £1,000-£1,200

D.S.M. London Gazette 15 May 1916: ‘In recognition of services rendered by Petty Officers and men of the Eastern Mediterranean Squadron between the time of landing in the Gallipoli Peninsula in April, 1915, and the evacuation in December, 1915 - January 1916.’

The following recommendation relates to the award of the D.S.M. to fourteen men of H.M.S. Europa, including ‘Smith Percy, P. Leading seaman. O.N. J.6234 (sic) H.M.S. Europa’:

‘During the occupation of Helles a great many men were employed as beach parties at Helles. The work of these men was always arduous and frequently carried out under heavy shell fire. It is hard to over estimate the value of the work performed on this beach; work requiring the greatest fortitude, the men being constantly exposed to fire while they themselves could take no part in the excitement of battle. The following who did particularly well are recommended for the Distinguished Service Medal; many of them were on the beach from the 25th April 1915 till the 9th January 1916.’

L.S. & G.C., 3 October 1925; Bar to L.S. & G.C., 23 September 1952.

Percy Pearson Smith was born in Nottingham on 18 August 1892, and joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 5 January 1910, with sub rating of Seaman Gunner. Having served in a number of ships and shore establishments he attended the Gunnery School at H.M.S. Excellent, May 1912 to March 1913, before joining the battleship Irresistible on 27 March 1913. Irresistible was serving in Home Waters upon the outbreak of the war but early in 1915 she was sent to the Dardanelles, arriving at Gallipoli. On 18 March she entered the straits of Gallipoli but was mined and eventually sunk by Turkish gunfire after hitting another mine. Irresistible's crew suffered about 150 casualties during her sinking but most of the crew, about 28 officers and 580 men were taken off by the destroyer Wear which came alongside. Smith now joined the cruiser H.M.S. Europa which became the flagship at Mudros from July 1915 to the end of the war, and he remained in this ship until 4 April 1918, seeing out the final stages of the war aboard the cruiser Achilles.

Smith was promoted to Chief Petty Officer on 12 February 1925, whilst serving aboard the destroyer Wallace. This was his last sea going appointment and, from January 1926, he served in a succession of shore establishments, finally joining President on 18 August 1932, where he remained until 15 August 1945, and been promoted to Warrant Recruiter on 15 July 1942. His service papers note ‘Bullet wound L. hip’ but gives no indication of date.