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Auction: 17002 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 383

A scarce Mine Clearance operations O.B.E. group of four awarded to Lieutenant-Commander R. C. Clavell, Royal Navy

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Military) Officer's 1st type breast badge, silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1919; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. R. C. Clavell, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. R. C. Clavell, R.N.), minor contact wear, very fine or better (4)

O.B.E. London Gazette 17 October 1919:

'For valuable services in the Mine Clearance Force.'

The original recommendation states:

'Lieutenant Clavell was detailed by the Mining School for this duty during mine clearance operations in order to obtain information as to the endurance of British mining material when laid under service conditions. All work was carried out in an area of the Yorkshire minefield between 28 April and 14 August 1919. In all 61 mines were salved and examined: of these 46 were laid eight feet deep, 14 65 feet deep and one 95 feet deep. The greatest number of mines salved in one day was on 11 June 1919. Eight were recovered on the following day, seven on the 3 June and six on 6 June and 22 July. The remainder were recovered on an average of four per day. The fact that this work has been successfully carried out without mishap of any kind reflects great credit on all concerned and especially on Lieutenant Clavell.'

Richard Charles Clavell entered the Royal Navy as a Midshipman in January 1902 and was serving as a Lieutenant in the river-class destroyer H.M.S. Kennet on the China Station on the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914. Quickly deployed to blockade the German base at Tsingtao, Kennet was damaged during an engagement with the German torpedo boat S.M.S. S-90 and gunboat S.M.S. Jaguar on the 22nd. At the end of November 1914, Clavell removed to torpedo boat 037 at Tamar in Hong Kong.

At the time of his subsequent gallantry in mine clearance operations on the Yorkshire coast, he was attached to Vernon. Post-war, he was attached to the Royal Australian Navy and served in H.M.A.S. Australia and H.M.A.S. Melbourne 1920-22, in which period he was promoted to Lieutenant-Commander. He was placed on the Retired List at his own request in early 1935.



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Sold for
£650