Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 26001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 214

The unique H.M.S. Kempenfelt Battle of Jutland D.S.M. group of six awarded to Yeoman of Signals A. J. Colyer, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (186278. A. J. Colyer. Yeo. Sigs. H.M.S. Kempenfelt. 31. May,-1. June, 1916); Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, 1 clasp, Natal (A. J. Colyer. Qd. Sigln. H.M.S. Widgeon.); 1914-15 Star (186278. A. J. Colyer. Y.S. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (186278 A. J. Colyer. Y.S. R.N.), the latter officially corrected; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (186278 A. J. Colyer, Yeo. Of Sigs. H.M.S. Venus), minor contact marks, overall good very fine (6)

Ex-Barrett J. Carr Collection, March 2007.

The only D.S.M. named to this vessel for the Battle of Jutland.

D.S.M. London Gazette 15 September 1916.

Note 91 Queen’s South Africa Medals were awarded to Widgeon's Company, of which 71 had a Natal clasp.

Arthur John Colyer was born at Bracknell, Berkshire on 10 October 1880 and worked as a gardener prior to enlisting as Boy Class II on 15 November 1895. Reaching his majority aboard H.M.S. Doris on 10 October 1898, Colyer was advanced Qualified Signalman the next month with H.M.S. Thrush on 19 August 1899. Posted to the gunboat Widgeon in October that same year he was to participate in the Anglo-Boer War with this vessel.

Leaving the ship on 24 August 1902, Colyer was posted ashore remaining there until June when he joined the company of Majestic. Here he was further promoted Leading Signaller on 23 November 1902 and Yeoman of Signals with his next posting, Hercules, on 1 April 1904. It was with this rank that Colyer entered the Great War ashore at Woolwich.

Colyer joined the crew of Kempenfelt on 3 September 1915 while the marksman class destroyer was stationed with the 11th Destroyer Flotilla. She steamed out of port as part of Admiral Jellicoe's Grand Fleet on 31 May 1916 for service in the Battle of Jutland. 11th Flotilla had a frustrating day with repeated attempts to make contact with the enemy halted by smoke or tactical concerns. However, during the final confused moments as the two fleets attempted to disengage they found themselves confronted by a large German Squadron.

The Flotilla Leader, Castor, came under a hail of fire which disabled her signals. As second-in-command it fell to Commander Sulivan aboard Kempenfelt to organise the evasive manoeuvres of his half of the unit. It is likely here, given the lack of action faced during the rest of the day, that Colyer earned his award, calmly making the necessary signals under the heavy fire of the German Cruisers. It was certainly in this moment that Commander Sulivan earned the Distinguished Conduct Order and one of few other awards to the vessel.

Remaining with Kempenfelt until 18 June 1917, Coyler went ashore to Victory I and was invalided on 27 November 1919; sold together with copied service records.

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

Estimate
£2,000 to £2,400

Starting price
£1600