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Auction: 7012 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 560

An Auxiliary Patrol D.S.C. and 1913 Sea Gallantry Medal Group of Five to Lieutenant E.V. Hugo, Royal Naval Reserve, Who Risked His Life in the Rescue of the Passengers and Crew from the Stricken Veronese in the North Atlantic a) Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., unnamed as issued, silver (Hallmarks for London 1916) b) 1915-15 Star (Lieut. E.V. Hugo, R.N.R.) c) British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. E.V. Hugo. R.N.R.) d) Sea Gallantry Medal, G.V.R., bronze (Ernest Victor Hugo. "Veronese". 16th. January 1913.), mounted in this order, good very fine, with D.S.C. Garrard, London case of issue (5) Estimate £ 1,400-1,800 D.S.C. London Gazette 27.6.1917 Lieut. Ernest Victor Hugo, R.N.R. ´In recognition of services in vessels of the Auxiliary Patrol between the 1st February and 31st December, 1916´. The SS Veronese, of the Liverpool, Brazil, and River Plate S.N. Company, a 7,877 ton vessel under Captain Charles Turner, left Liverpool bound for Buenos Aires 12.1.1913, with 20 passengers, 97 crew, and 5,288 tons of cargo on board. On arrival at Vigo the Veronese picked up an additional 97 emigrants, leaving port 15.1.1913. The following morning, in hazy weather with occasional rain squalls, the steamship ran aground on the Boa Nova rocks, off Leixoes, Portugal. The heavy seas at the time prevented any aid being received from the local lifeboat; rocket lines were thrown over the ship and at 7p.m. the sea calmed sufficiently for the breeches-buoys to be used- by this means most of the passengers were hauled ashore. Meanwhile the Portuguese Navy despatched gunboats to the wreck to offer assistance. 21 passengers and six of the crew perished. Five Sea Gallantry Medals in bronze were awarded, to E.V. Hugo, Chief Officer; E.R. Williams, Second Officer; F. Martin, bo´sun; W. Jay, Able-Seaman; and G. Jacob, Able Seaman. Lieutenant Ernest Victor Hugo, D.S.C., Commissioned Temporary Lieutenant, Royal Naval Reserve 31.12.1914; Acting Lieutenant-Commander 31.12.1918.

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£2,700