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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 631

Sold by Order of the Family

The superb Great War C.B. group of eight awarded to Admiral V. H. G. Bernard, Royal Navy, whose campaign service saw him earn four foreign decorations and a trio of 'mentions'

Having begun the war in command of Venerable - his charge included the bombardment of the Belgian coast in 1914 and the operations at Gallipoli the following year - he latterly commanded Neptune at the Battle of Jutland and was made a Naval ADC to the King

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in its Garrard & Co. case of issue; 1914-15 Star (Capt. V. H. G. Bernard. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaves (R. Adml. V. H. G. Bernard.); France, Republic, Legion of Honour, Officer's breast Badge, gold and enamel, poincon mark to downward tassel, with rosette upon riband; Italy, Kingdom, Order of the Crown, Commander's neck Badge, by Cravanzola, gold and enamel, in its fitted case of issue with full neck riband; Russia, Imperial, Order of St. Anne, Military Division, Second Class neck Badge, with crossed swords, gold (56 zolotniki) and enamel, maker’s mark and court stamp to reverse, gold marks and kokoshnik marks suspension ring, in fitted case of issue with full length of neck riband; Japan, Empire, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Second Class breast Star, silver-gilt and enamel, sacred beads all present, in rio-nuri lacquered fitted box of issue with purple tassels, the Trio and Legion of Honour mounted as worn, generally good very fine (8)

C.B. (Military) London Gazette 1 January 1918.

Italian Order of the Crown 3rd Class London Gazette 8 August 1916.

French Legion of Honour 4th Class London Gazette 15 September 1916.

Russian Order of St Anne 2nd Class London Gazette 5 June 1917 (Jutland).

Japanese Order of Sacred Treasure 2nd Class London Gazette 11 August 1919.

Vivian Henry Gerald Bernard was born on 30 August 1868 at Simon's Town, Cape of Good Hope, son of Inspector-General John Bernard. Educated at Stubbington House School, young Bernard became a Naval Cadet on 15 July 1882 and was made Midshipman on 15 January 1884. Promoted Sub-Lieutenant, 25 February 1888, Lieutenant, 25 February 1889, he qualified as a Gunnery Lieutenant in 1893, trained at Excellent. Advanced Commander on 30 June 1901, he spent a spell in the Department of Naval Intelligence, being made Captain on 26 June 1906, in command of the cruiser Topaze. By August 1907 he took command of Argonaut and then Revenge a year later. His final appointments before the Great War included command of the Gunnery School, Devonport from 1910-12 and of Argyll, May 1912-June 1914.

Belgian operations - first 'mention'

Upon the commencement of hostilities, Bernard was given command of the battleship Venerable, which played a notable role in the bombardment of the Belgian coast in the early stages of the operations. The report of Assistant Paymaster J. S. Foster (original copy included in the Lot), who accompanied Bernard upon the Bridge during the actions gives a fine official account of the operations of 27-31 October 1914. Venerable left Dover at 0139hrs on 27 October, with Admiral Hood flying his colours from her first fired on Lovie at 0745hrs that same morning, before unloading into Mannekensvere an hour later, the Mohawk also engaging a nearby enemy submarine that patrolled the waters. The day continued with a further bombardment of Lombartzyde which drew a shore signal:

'Your fire is splendid. Suggest you economise ammunition as there is now a lull here. German balloon apparently over Pierre Capelle.'

Firing on Polder at 1430hrs, the Germans gave their reply soonafter, also firing on the Rinaldo which had assisted Venerable. Their first day of work closed just after 1700hrs, returning to Dunkirk to prepare for more. The following morning the Belgian Minister of Marine gave encouragement:

'Your shells have had great effect, whole villages have been blown into the air and the Germans have today ceased altogether to trouble us. Herewith some gossip for tomorrow. Hope you are enjoying these aquatic sports. We are still holding on tight and I think the attack is broken. Your help is invaluable!'

The Admiralty gave their weight:

'You have all done very well and on land the line has been maintained, keep it up. Husband ammunition till good targets show, but risks must be run. Allies left must be supported without fail by the Navy.'

A letter from Able Seamen Mason and Jones to old schoolmates and published in the Ledbury Guardian gives first hand insight:

'It is with the greatest pleasure that I write you these few lines to thank you for your most welcome letter and postcards of dear old Bosbury. Well, we have had some exciting times, for the fighting Venerable has been in action on the coast of Belgium. Our ship had the honour of being the first battleship to be in action, the other ships have been cruisers, destroyers, and monitors. On account of the Germans bringing up their heavy guns it was necessary to send a heavy gunship to cope with them, so we joined up with Admiral Hood's Squadron on the morning of the 27th October at early dawn. I went on deck at six o'clock, and the first thing I saw was one of our monitors shelling a position on the east side of Nieuport, and the Allied artillery ashore was firing also. Their position was on the west side. At 7.45am the Venerable fired her first shot, and the shell fell right in the enemy's trench. Then we brought our 12-inch guns into play, each of which weigh 30 tons. Just fancy that striking a Uhlan in the watch pocket and on exploding scattering 'seeds of kindness' for a radius of about seven or eight hundred yards.

The Venerable simply raked their trenches fore and aft - it was unmerciful. The enemy replied with vigour, but each time we found their fire our guns would sweep their batteries. On the second day of the bombardment we had a proper exciting time. I was told off as upper deck patrol, in case of fire breaking out. I was standing in the starboard upperdeck battery, when a shell screamed about 30 feet above my head, passing between the two funnels. I went forward, portside, and saw one of my chums watching the result of the shell fire, and I spoke to him. At that instant another shell swept over our heads just missing our foretopmast. Their shells were falling all about us, but we were not stuck once. The enemy's submarines were very active indeed on the second and third day and they tried their utmost to get at the Venerable. A torpedo on one occasion just missed our stern by a few feet. We opened fire on the submarine, and she disappeared, but I would not say that she was stuck. On the third day one of our destroyers tried to ram a German submarine. Several of our small ships were struck by the shells from the coast guns.

It was amusing to see the sloop Vestal thumping along after she was hit - she was in the wake of the Venerable, a little on our starboard quarter. The shells were falling very fast and the enemy ceased firing on the Venerable and concentrated their fire on the weaker ship (the Vestal). I saw the sport. Shells dropped all round her, and then one went clean through her foretop mast, unshipping her wireless. She put on a spurt, and at the same time swung round to the starboard and held that course for about a cable's length, then swung to port again. She was banging away for all she was worth, as much as to say "Now try your luck". The destroyers did magnificent work in repelling the attacks of submarines.

The Venerable was having a 'breather' when your most welcome letter arrived. I pictured dear old Bosbury when I was looking on the town of Nieuport. It was a flourishing town a few months ago, and now it is deserted. Not a soul is there except a few Germans watching the movements of our warships. On the east side, near the pier, the River Yser runs into the sea. The large buildings of the town were burning, set on fire by our shells. We had to fire in that direction because the German heavy guns were cleverly concealed in that locality. A terrible battle must have been waging on land, for we could hear the thunder of the guns that must have been several miles inland. I shall never forget the part we played in the bombardment. Poor Belgium. But there is one thing, the Venerable played the greatest part in avenging Louvain. We are all very proud of our ship, and so far as I am concerned, I would not be anywhere else for the world. And now I must close, as Tom is waiting to 'censor' this letter.'

In those five short days, Venerable fired a total of 962 shells, 249 12-inch and 713 six-inch. Bernard was duly 'mentioned' (London Gazette 13 April 1915 refers) for his part.

Venerable was returned to home waters and posted to defend Sheerness in November should a seabourne invasion follow. She shared in the action once again when called to bombard German positions near Westende on 11 March 1915 - a daring attempt to divert attention from the attack at Neuve Chapelle.

Gallipoli - brace

Bernard steamed Venerable to the Mediterranean and onto the Dardanelles in May 1915 in order to replace Queen Elizabeth, sharing in the attacks in mid August and using her experience gained during the early days of the war. With the weather meaning observation was almost impossible by 21 August, the attacks on Suvla Bay were scaled back, leaving the theatre to Gibraltar in October. Bernard duly added a second mention (London Gazette 14 March 1916 refers). In early 1916, Bernard took command of Neptune for a cruise of the North Sea which would be used to probe and test the German Naval position by Jellicoe whilst the inevitability of an epic battle rose to fever pitch.

Jutland - hat trick and Russian 'gong'

By the close of May 1916, it was clear a huge engagement between the German High Seas Fleet and the British Grand Fleet was in the offing. It would decide who held naval superiority in the North Sea. Neptune was the nineteenth ship from the head and early on she fired two salvos from her main guns at a barely visible battleship at 1840hrs. Around the time that the High Seas Fleet had reversed course, Neptune fired one salvo at the crippled light cruiser Wiesbaden. After the turn the ships of the 1st BS were the closest to the German line and at 1910hrs, she fired four salvos at the Derfflinger, claiming two hits. Shortly afterwards, the ship fired her main and secondary guns at enemy destroyers without result and then had to turn away to dodge three torpedoes. During the battle she fired 48 twelve-inch shells (21 high explosive and 27 common pointed, capped) and 48 shells from her four-inch guns.

Neptune had been sent to sea by Princess Helena of Waldeck and Pyrmont, Duchess of Albany, who kept in regular contact with her Captain, including one on 17 June following the battle:

'Dear Captain Bernard,

Your letter has given me intense delight and has deeply touched me. On hearing of the sea-fight my first thought was for the "Neptune" hoping she might be in it and the long months of weary waiting be rewarded. I send you and all under your command my warmest congratulations. I am indeed proud and delighted that you went into action flying my flag, which I always hoped would be the case and that it would bring you good luck, as I spent many a month stitching it and working into it every possible good wish for the ship and those who man her that an English heart can imagine for our Navy! I am deeply touched to see the value in which you hold my gift.

When I was working the Ensign whilst visiting abroad a Prussian General and his staff were quartered where I was staying - seeing me working at a carefully protected piece of work he inquired what it was. I told him "a battle Ensign for a ship", and had great satisfaction in spreading it out before his eyes the Union Jack - "Oh, it is English" was his remark to which I could only answer with: "What else?" Nothing more was said. Such a pity they were land-lubbers and could not see the finished Ensign flying!

I am thankful the "Neptune" came off without a scratch but have all on board had the same luck?

I wonder which German ships received your iron greetings?

Once again I wish you God Speed. Believe me.'

Bernard was rewarded with a third mention (London Gazette 15 September 1916 refers) and his Russian Order of St. Anne.

Further campaigns

Bernard remained in command of Neptune until 15 October 1917. In that time he was also appointed as Aide-de-Camp to the King on 3 July 1917 and promoted Rear Admiral on 26 September 1917. Made Captain of Portland Harbour thereafter, he finished the war with the C.B., the Italian Order of the Crown and the Japanese Order of the Sacred Treasure. He retired as Vice-Admiral in 1922 and was advanced Admiral in 1927.

Bernard was first married in 1900 to Ida Marie Gilles in Woollahra, New South Wales, with issue of a son. Ida died in 1925 and he was re-married to Eileen Mary Churchill in 1926, widow of Major W. M. Churchill, 12th Cavalry, Indian Army. Bernard had also had a daughter in 1918, Joan Bernard, while he was married to his previous wife. Having moved to Australia, he died on 18 February 1934 at Rose Bay, New South Wales.

Sold together with an extensive original archive including:

(i)
Bestowal Document for the C.B., with enclosures in envelope of issue.

(ii)
Three Mention in Despatches Certificates, together with relevant issues and forwarding letters.

(iii)
Letter confirming appointment as Naval ADC, dated 5 July 1917.

(iv)
Bestowal document for the Order of the Sacred Treasure, with translation.

(v)
Bestowal document for the Legion of Honour.

(vi)
Portrait miniature of the recipient, glazed and framed, the image 70mm x 90mm.

(vii)
A number of related letters, including from the Duchess of Albany, the Captain of H.M.A.S. Australia, together with newspaper cuttings.

(viii)
Original typed copy of 'Report of Bombardment of Lovie, Loebartzyde, Mannekensvere, Westende, Slype, Pierre Capelle, Polder and the surrounding district. by HMS "Venerable" on October 27th 1914 and following dates.'

(ix)
A quantity of service and personal photographs.

For the recipient's miniature dress medals, please see Lot xxx.

For the portrait miniature and related items of Major Churchill, please see Lot 1167.

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Sold for
£5,200

Starting price
£2600