Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 24003 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 160

A good Great War M.S.M. group of six awarded to Chief Electrical Officer F. E. A. Dunn, Royal Navy, who came under heavy close-range fire in the light cruiser H.M.S. Birmingham at the battle of Jutland

1914-15 Star (M. 2904 F. E. A. Dunn, E.A. 3, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (M. 2904 F. E. A. Dunn, E.A. 2, R.N.); Defence Medal 1939-45; Royal Navy Meritorious Service Medal, G.V.R., 1st issue (M. 2904 F. E. A. Dunn, E.A. 2 Cl., H.M.S. "Birmingham" Services During War); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue (M. 2904 F. E. A. Dunn, C.E.A. 2, H.M.S. Vernon), polished and light contact marks, good fine and better (6)

M.S.M. London Gazette 21 June 1919.

Frank Edgar Arnold Dunn was born in Bideford, Devon on 24 September 1888 and entered the Royal Navy as an Acting Electrician 4th Class in February 1911. Apart from a period ashore from December 1916 to February 1917, he served for the duration of the Great War in the light cruiser H.M.S. Birmingham.

He was thus present at her opening action on 9 August 1914, when the surfaced enemy submarine U-15 was spotted in heavy fog off the Fair Isle. Birmingham's opening salvo having failed to sink the U-boat, she closed and rammed it, cutting it in two. It was the Royal Navy's first submarine 'kill' of the war.

Dunn next saw action at Heligoland Bight on 28 August 1914 and Dogger Bank on 24 January 1915, followed by Birmingham's part in the battle of Jutland on 31 May 1916.

As a ship of the 2nd Light Cruiser Squadron on the latter occasion, she came under heavy fire when Commodore Goodenough attempted to deliver a daring torpedo attack on the rapidly approaching enemy fleet. So, too, during an ensuing night action at point blank - 800 yards - range, in which her consort Southampton suffered heavily. Birmingham's captain wisely opted not to deploy his searchlights, thereby escaping the scene with splinter damage.

Awarded the M.S.M. for his services during the Great War, Dunn added the L.S. & G.C. Medal to his accolades in March 1926 and came ashore at some point in the 1930s. He is however noted as having re-entered the Royal Navy as a pensioner in April 1938, when he was given the official number P/MX. 56967; sold with copied service records.

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

Estimate
£400 to £600

Starting price
£320