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Auction: 22003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 360

25 APRIL 1916: THE BOMBARDMENT OF LOWESTOFT

A Great War campaign group of five awarded to Senior Reserve Attendant S. Derham, Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve

Never were his medical skills in greater need than on the occasion that his ship - the light cruiser H.M.S. Conquest - was badly damaged in the German raid on Lowestoft in April 1916: hit by a 12-inch salvo, she suffered a loss of 25 killed and 13 wounded

He was still serving aboard Conquest when she was mined in June 1918, his medical skills on that occasion leading to an Admiralty commendation for good services

1914-15 Star (M. 8811, S. Denham, S.R.A., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (M. 8811 S. Derham. S.R.A., R.N.); Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (928 S. Derham, Sen. R.A., R.N.A.S.B.R.); Order of St John Service Medal (3011 Pte. S. Derham (Bristol 'C') Div. No.2. Dist. S.J.A.B. 1923), edge nick to the fourth, generally good very fine (5)

Sydney Derham was born in Bristol, Gloucestershire on 14 March 1884 and enrolled in the Royal Naval Auxiliary Sick Berth Reserve prior to the outbreak of the Great War.

Mobilised as a Senior Reserve Attendant in August 1914, he joined the staff of the R.N.H. Plymouth but, in June 1915, he removed to H.M.S. Conquest, a ship of the 5th Light Cruiser Squadron of the Harwich Force. He remained likewise employed until July 1918.

At 0410 hours on 25 April 1916, four enemy battle cruisers commenced a 10-minute bombardment of Lowestoft, laying waste some 200 properties, with resultant casualties.

Alerted by the Admiralty, Admiral Tyrwhitt's 5th Light Cruiser Squadron sallied forth from Harwich and met the enemy head-on in a punishing encounter of 13-minutes' duration. Out-numbered and out-gunned, he was compelled to beat a retreat, but not before Conquest was hit by a 12-inch salvo, suffering a loss of 25 killed and 13 wounded. The latter, no doubt, benefited from the bandaging and sick berth skills of Sydney Derham.

Those skills were called upon again when Conquest was mined on 13 June 1918, suffering a loss of nine killed. Her ship's log reported how her crew were quickly turned to 'shoring up bulkheads, shifting weights, putting out fires, and turning out boats and Carley floats.'

Luckily the boats were not required for, having been taken in tow by cruiser Curacoa, Conquest reached Harwich. And indication of Derham's deeds that day is to be found in an official endorsement on his service record, namely a commendation from Their Lordships of the Admiralty for his 'good services'.

Subsequent career

He ended the war with an appointment in another light cruiser, the Dragon, and carried on his good work in Bristol's St. John Ambulance Brigade following his demobilisation in April 1919.

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Sold for
£500

Starting price
£160