Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Battle of Jutland’ D.S.M. group of four awarded to Chief Petty Officer Thomas Sargent, Royal Navy, mentioned for services as ‘No. 2 of gun during entire campaign’ serving with the Naval Brigade in South Africa at the Relief of Ladysmith, and decorated for services in the destroyer Marvel at the battle of Jutland

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (166132 T. Sargent, C.P.O. H.M.S. Marvel. 31.May, - 1.June, 1916); Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, 5 clasps, Tugela Heights, Orange Free State, Relief of Ladysmith, Transvaal, Laing’s Nek (166132 Ldg: Smn. T. Sargent. H.M.S. Philomel.); British War and Victory Medals (166132 T. Sargent. C.P.O. R.N.) light contact marks, otherwise good very fine or better (4) £1,800-£2,200

D.S.M. London Gazette 19 September 1916.

Thomas Sargent was born at Stoke Damerel, Devon, on 10 September 1876. He joined the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class aboard H.M.S. Impregnable on 9 March 1892. He was advanced to Boy 1st Class on 9 February 1893; Ordinary Seaman, 10 September 1894; and Able Seaman, 22 July 1895. He joined Philomel on 1 December 1898, being advanced to Leading Seaman on 11 February 1899, to Petty Officer 2nd Class on 1 June 1900, and to Petty Officer 1st Class on 1 January 1901. During this period he served with the Naval Brigade in South Africa, being one of two officers and thirty-three men of the Philomel entrained to Chieveley. These men went forward to the relief of Ladysmith and had to face many hardships and many a hard fight. Sargent was specially mentioned in despatches in Captain J. E. Bearcroft’s mentions: ‘T. Sargent, P.O. 2nd Class, S.G.T., No. 2 of gun during entire campaign.’ He was one of twenty-three officers and men from Philomel to received the Q.S.A. with these five clasps.

Sargent served during the Great War aboard the destroyer Marvel (Lt.-Cdr. R. W. Grubb) from 27 December 1915 to 12 September 1916, during which period he took part in the battle of Jutland on 31 May - 1 June 1916, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his services on that occasion. He was invalided out on 18 October 1916. Sold with copied research including confirmation of entitlement to Great War pair only.