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Auction: 7022 - Orders, Decorations, Medals & Militaria
Lot: 1249

A Triple V.C., Second Ostend Raid, May 1918 D.S.M. Group of Six to Stoker 1st Class W.J. Johnson, H.M.S. Vindictive, Royal Navy a) Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (SS.116938 W.J. Johnson, Sto. 1 Cl. "Vindictive" Ostend, 9-10 May. 1918) b) 1914-15 Star (116938. W.J. Johnson. Sto. 2., R.N.) c) British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. Oakleaves (S.S.116938 W.J. Johnson. Sto.1. R.N.) d) Royal Fleet Reserve Long Service & G.C., G.V.R. (SS.116938 (CH. B 15263) W.J. Johnson. Sto. 1 R.F.R), partly officially corrected e) Imperial Service Medal, E.II.R. (William John Johnson), nearly extremely fine, with St. George´s Day and May 10th 1918 Commemorative Medal, white medal (6) Estimate £ 1,400-1,800 D.S.M. London Gazette 28.8.1918 Sto., 1st Cl. William John Johnson, O.N. S.S. 116938 (Ch.). M.I.D. London Gazette 28.8.1918 Sto., 1st Cl. William John Johnson, O.N. S.S. 116938 (Ch.) ´The following volunteered for a very hazardous service and distinguished themselves in the "Vindictive" on the night of 9/10th May.´ William Johnson, D.S.M., volunteered for service in H.M.S. Vindictive for the Second Ostend Raid. The operation in Ostend on the 23rd April 1918 having failed to achieve its desired result was to be repeated on the night of 9-10th May. This time the Vindictive, loaded with concrete and crewed again by volunteers was to be the blockship in Ostend Harbour and thus attempt to be a severe hindrance to enemy offensive activities out of the fortified triangle that the Germans had created on the coast between Zeebrugge and Ostend. In the early hours of the 10th the Vindictive progressed into the harbour and was opened fire upon by the Germans at 1.43am, ´As they were within a few feet of the harbour wall, on which the Germans had heavy machine-guns, the decks of the Vindictive were swept by constant streams of bullets´ (The Zeebrugge Raid, P. Warner, refers). The aft control was completely destroyed with all occupants killed and the upper deck reduced to a mass of twisted metal by the German heavy artillery and machine-gun fire. Once in the desired position the charges stowed aboard the Vindictive were blown by Crutchley and Bury and the order to abandon ship was given, with the initial evacuation of survivors carried out by ML 254, whilst still under heavy fire. The Vindictive, at the cost of many casualties, achieved its goal and was sunk in a position where it could cause maximum hindrance to the Germans. Much has been written about this famous raid, but perhaps what symbolizes the gallant conduct of those who took part best is that 3 Victoria Crosses were awarded for this action.

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£2,800