Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 23111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 921

‘I take my hat off to the British Navy.’

An unnamed German Officer on hearing of the destruction of E15

The superb E15 raid D.S.M. group of three awarded to Petty Officer W. Bradbury, who was recommended for the D.C.M. but downgraded to the D.S.M. for his actions during the raid on the beached British Submarine E15 at Fort Dardanos in the Dardanelles on 18 April 1915, commanded by Lieutenant-Commander E. G. Robinson, V.C.

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (199926. W. Bradbury, P.O. H.M.S. Triumph.); China 1900 (199926. W. Bradbury, Boy. 1Cl. H.M.S. Orlando.); 1914-15 Star (199926, W. Bradbury, D.S.M. P.O., R.N.), contact marks, pitting and minor polishing, overall very fine

[D.S.M.] London Gazette 16 August 1916, his service papers state:

'Recommended for D.C.M. in connection for operations (Dardanelles) on 18/4/15'

The original citation states:

'For services in picket boats of H.M.S. Majestic and Triumph 18th April'

William Bradbury was born at Birmingham on 22 March 1883 and enlisted with the Royal Navy as Boy Class II on 15 July 1898.

China

Posted to Orlando on 28 June 1898 as Boy Class I, Bradbury was present with that ship during its involvement in the Boxer Rebellion in 1900. Orlando was part of the Admiral Seymour's failed attempt to relive the Legations and gave a compliment of marines and bluejackets to the relief column. Bradbury reached his majority not long after that vessel left China, being promoted Ordinary Seaman on 22 March 1901. Seeing service with a number of warships prior to the Great War most notably St. Vincent, Cressy and the minelayer Mercury, he was further advanced Petty Officer aboard the latter.

H.M.S. Triumph and the Dardanelles

Joining the battleship Triumph on 6 August 1914 Bradbury was to see service with her during the operations off Tsingtao and later during the hunt of the German East Asia Squadron. Refitting from her arduous start the war in January 1915 she was soon underway again, this time for the Dardanelles in preparation for the opening of a new front at Gallipoli.

The Allied plans were to knock out the forts along the straight and work through the minefields in order to affect a landing close to Istanbul. This was to be completed by a combination of bombardments from the large battleships such as Triumph and with the probing of submarines to help chart and clear minefields. Triumph herself was present for a number of operations in the Spring of 1915 against the forts around Smyrna as well as the batteries of Sedd el Bahr and a failed attack on Fort Dardanos.

While these operations went ahead British submarines were still probing the straight, trying to slip through into the Sea of Marmora. It was during one such mission that submarine E15, was caught in an undercurrent and forced to surface directly beneath the guns of Fort Dardanos. Soon subdued it became apparent that the Ottoman and German forces were intent on taking the vessel for themselves.

Night Raid

The Allies needed to act fast and a plan was put together the next day. After dark on 18 April two picket boats from Triumph and Majestic were launched with orders to torpedo the stranded vessel and prevent any chance of salvage. They were manned by volunteers, with Bradbury as Petty Officer of Triumph's boat which was commanded by the future V.C. winner Lieutenant-Commander Eric Gascoigne Robinson. The boats crept in and made it in as far as the narrows before were caught in Ottoman searchlights and came under very heavy fire. Managing to avoid the fusillade they survived but were unable to get close to their target.

As the gunfire pressed closer the raid looked to have failed until a careless mistake by the Turkish troops manning the spotlights caused one to drift over E15. Their target illuminated Majestic's boat went in for the kill, powering through the oncoming shot they released their torpedoes which struck E15 just behind the conning tower.

At the moment of victory the picket boat was struck by a shell and disabled, with the commander Lieutenant Godwin, blinded. Fortunately Triumph's boat was still under power and despite heavy fire from the now fully alerted enemy on the shore, Robinson ordered them in to help. Pulling alongside they bundled the shocked but victorious sailors into their vessel and set out once again, negotiating the difficult approach to the fort both at speed and under fire.

The next day it was reported that E15 was damaged beyond salvage, the mission has been a total success with one man from Majestic's boat killed. It was claimed that Robinson would have been considered for the V.C. as a result of his daring rescue, however he was already being considered for one, a recommendation that would eventually prove successful. The commander of the second boat, Lieutenant Godwin was awarded the D.S.O. and the crews, all volunteers received the D.S.M. It is notable that Bradbury's service record states that he was considered for the D.C.M. but awarded the D.S.M., regardless it is certain that every man their that night earned there award.

Epilogue

Bradbury continued to serve, leaving Triumph on 1 June 1915 he was transferred ashore; sold together with, a commemorative Queen Victoria 1897 medal, a commemorative 1902 coronation medal and a Princess Mary's 1914 Christmas Gift Tin, somewhat battered and worn along with copied research comprising a London Gazette entry and service record.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£1,800

Starting price
£550