Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War ‘Gallipoli Operations’ D.S.M. group of five awarded to Chief Skipper G. Lawrence, Royal Naval Reserve, a survivor of the sinking of H.M.S. Majestic off Cape Helles by a U-boat, he was decorated for his services in beach parties at Helles until the evacuation in January 1916

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (B.3814. G. Lawrence, Sean. R.N.R. Gallipoli Opns. 1915-6); 1914-15 Star (B.3814. G. Lawrence. Smn. R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals (3814B. G. Lawrence. 2 Hd. R.N.R.); Royal Naval Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, ‘coinage head’ (2317 W.S., Skr., R.N.R.) with second award clasp, good very fine (5) £1,600-£2,000

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Medals from the Collection of David Lloyd.

View
Collection

Provenance: Dix Noonan Webb, July 2010.

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 recommendation states: ‘H.M.S. Europa. Gallipoli April 1915 to January 1916. 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 overestimate the value of the work on the 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. Many of them were on the beach from 25 April 1915 until 9 January 1916. This man was among those who did particularly well and is recommended for the D.S.M.’

George Lawrence was born in Brixham, Devon, on 14 August 1885. As an experienced hand serving aboard Brixham trawlers, he entered the Great War as a Seaman with the Royal Naval Reserve. As such he was awarded the D.S.M. for his services in the Gallipoli Operations of 1915-16. He was serving aboard the battleship Majestic when she was sunk off Cape Helles, Gallipoli, by the German submarine U-21 on 27 May 1915, his name originally being returned on the list of dead or missing. Fortunately he survived and his name was soon afterwards borne on the books of Europa. In February 1916, he was based at the R.N. Depot at Port Said but for most of the remainder of the war he was based at Vivid (Devonport), December 1916-August 1918. In December 1918 he gained his Certificate of Competency as a Skipper of Fishing Vessels, his address at that time being ‘11 Church Street, Brixham’. Lawrence was appointed a Skipper in the R.N.R. in July 1924 and Chief Skipper in the R.N.R. in July 1934. He was awarded the R.N.R. L.S. & G.C. medal with clasp on 31 March 1933.

With original Discharge Certificate, 1904; Certificate of Competency as Skipper, 1918; Commission Document appointing him Skipper, R.N.R., 1924; Certificate of Discharge, 1932; Commission Document appointing him Chief Skipper, R.N.R., 1934, and copied service papers.