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Auction: 23003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 232

A 'Great War Destroyer Commander's' D.S.O. group of five to Lieutenant Commander E. P. U. Pender, Royal Navy, whose services commanding H.M.S. Greyhound off Greece in 1916 earned him plaudits before an ignominious end when discharged as a result of his drinking in 1921

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., in silver-gilt and enamel, top riband bar adapted for mounting; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. E. P. U. Pender, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lt. Commr. E. P. U. Pender. R.N.); Greece, Kingdom, Order of the Redeemer, 4th Class, Officer's breast Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, in its G. Romonis case of issue, first four mounted as worn, the centre of the D.S.O. slightly loose and with enamel damage, otherwise toned, good very fine (5)

D.S.O. London Gazette 8 March 1918:

'For services in Destroyer and Torpedo Boat Flotillas during the period ending 31st December 1917.'

Order of the Redeemer. London Gazette 26 April 1918.

Order of Aviz. London Gazette 4 February 1921.

Edward Pender Usticke Pender was born at Falmouth, Cornwall on 29 December 1885 as 'Edward Pender Usticke Broad', the son of Herman and Catherine Pender; though he was late to change his name to Pender in line with his father. He joined Eastman's Royal Naval Academy as a Naval Cadet and was posted to Britannia on 15 May 1901. Seeing service with a number of vessels his performance was good and Pender was commissioned Sub Lieutenant on 15 February 1906 with Arrogant. Soon he was advanced further to Lieutenant with Duncan on 1 October 1908, his service record noting he was a 'zealous and promising officer'.

Serving in this rank in command of the destroyer Racehorse with the 6th Destroyer Flotilla tendered to Attentive based at Dover. While employed in the 6th Flotilla she performed anti-submarine and counter-mining patrols as well as Dover Barrage defensive patrols. Under the Pender's command, she was part of the anti-submarine screen for operations off the Belgian coast on 28 October 1914.

Leaving her on 13 December of that year his next command was the Greyhound, also stationed on the Dover Patrol between 10 February 1915-4 October 1915. Followed by Command of Mosquito in the Eastern Mediterranean from 28 December 1915 co-operating with the Squadron under Rear-Admiral Fremantle. Taking part in the French demonstration against Athens in 1916, and in the operations in support of a party of some 230 Anatolian irregulars against Turkish positions on the Anatolian coast in September 1916. Having performed well in this role Pender was promoted to Lieutenant Commander on 1 October 1916.

Subsequently he commanded the destroyer Nicator from 15 September 1917 with the 2nd Destroyer Flotilla. Leaving her on 19 July 1918 he was ordered to join the cruiser Apollo as her 1st Lieutenant on 30 August 1918. Ending the war with this vessel he was noted as commanding her patrol boat P14 from 25 May 1919-29 October 1919.

Given command of the new R-class destroyer Rosalind on 28 November 1919 Pender ordered to appear before a Court of Enquiry in September 1920. Removed in November for Hecla his commanding officer Captain Grant-Dalton reported the problem, Pender had become an alcoholic. In his report Grant-Dalton even noted that 'Shortly after joining I had to limit his wine bill as his consumption of liquor especially spirits was excessive.'. The Captain did however add that he felt the cause of the 'lapse' was medical and ordered Pender to be sent to Chatham Hospital as a neurasthenia patient. He was found to be medically unfit and invalided from service on 19 January 1921.

The next year he applied for a license as Master of a ship with the Board of Trade, however this license was rejected, likely in view of his record. Pender must have realised this as his service records note that he had no desire to pursue the application further. He died on 29 December 1936.

Further entitled to the Portugese Order of St. Avis.

For his miniature dress medals, please see Lot 327.

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Sold for
£1,300

Starting price
£800