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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 546

A scarce 'Siege Guns, Flanders 1918' D.S.M. group of three awarded to Sick Berth Steward F. E. J. Morse, Royal Navy, late 2nd Lieutenant, The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment)

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (M.18972 F. E. J. Morse, S.B.S. 2Cl. Siege Guns Flanders 1918.); British War and Victory Medals (M.18972 F. E. J. Morse, Act.2 S.B.S. R.N.), good very fine (3)

D.S.M. London Gazette 15 February 1919.

Frank Edward James Morse was born on 26 August 1889 and lived at 76 Bishops Road, Fulham. Morse worked as a Bank Clerk at the L.C. & Westminster Bank since 1907 and was a keen motorcyclist and long-distance walker upon his application for a commission in August 1914. Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the 8th Battalion, The Buffs, Morse was found to be wanting as a Commander of men, which led to his request for a transfer. Morse was released and enlisted in the Royal Navy on 7 February 1916. Posted to the Sick Berth Branch, Morse was initially made a Junior Reserve Attendant and served ashore with the Royal Marine Artillery from July 1917. He went on to see varied service with the Heavy Siege Trains and their Guns from Dunkirk and further into Flanders in 1918. On several occasions, the Trains were bombed and shelled by the enemy, on which occasion Morse was surely decorated in his Acting rate of Sick Berth Steward 2nd Class, for of the 17 awards to the Siege Guns, the 3 which went to the Royal Navy were all to Sick Berth ratings. Morse died in 1969 and his ashes were interred at the North Sheen Cemetery; sold together with photographs of the recipient in service besides copied research which includes letters from his son which state he was gassed during the Great War.

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Sold for
£1,400

Starting price
£700