Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25111 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 681

The 'Action off Imbros 1918' D.S.M. awarded to 2nd Hand W. Thomas, Royal Naval Reserve, who was commended in 1917 and earned further laurels serving aboard the drifter Supernal which attempted to protect the monitors Raglan and M28 by laying a smokescreen during the sortie of the German warships Goeben and Breslau in January 1918

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (DA.4484. W. Thomas. 2nd Hd. R.N.R. H.M.S. Supernal. Dardnelles. 20 Jan 1918.), name, number and rank officially corrected, light contact marks, very fine

D.S.M. London Gazette 13 September 1918, the original citation states:

'For services in action with "Goeben" and "Breslau" in January 1918'

William Thomas was born at Cullen, Scotland on 7 June 1887, the son of Edwin and Anne Thomas. Enrolling with the Royal Naval Reserve on 1 March 1915, he was first posted to Mary Reed before going ashore at H.M.S. Dreel Castle, the auxiliary patrol base at Falmouth, in late 1916.

Commended for his services aboard the armed trawler King Arthur in 1917, Thomas transferred to Osiris II the depot ships based at Mudros. He was serving with the Drifter Supernal on 20 January 1918, the day German and Ottoman authorities had decided that the Goeben and Breslau would sortie from Istanbul. They had been transferred to the Turkish navy by this point having been blockaded in the port since 1914.

Their intention was to raid elements of the British Aegean Squadron sheltering in Imbros harbour and with the only British Battleship in the area the aging Agamemnon which was far too slow to overhaul the raiders there was little to stop them. The British destroyers present were unable to line up properly on the enemy battleship and the raiders soon zeroed in on the vulnerable monitors Raglan and M28 sheltering in a cove.

The Skipper of H.M.D. Supernal was awarded the D.S.C. in the same Gazette edition as Thomas, his citation provides greater detail on the actions of the Drifters stating:

'Skpr. Benjamin George Reynolds, R.N.R., 2114 S.A., H.M. Drifter "Supernal." Remained on patrol in their drifters during the action and made smoke screen in a gallant endeavour to screen H.M. Monitors "Raglan" and "M28," showing great presence of mind and initiative. Both vessels were invaluable in rescuing survivors.'

Unfortunately, the valiant efforts of Supernal and the other drifter Anchor of Hope II were to no avail and the warships pounded both monitors until they were sinking. Seeing that they had caused enough damage the raiders began to withdraw but the Breslau, renamed Midilli for Ottoman service, hit a mine and began to sink. Goeben (Yavûz Sultân Selîm) went to her rescue but also hit a mine and was forced to withdraw and ran aground whilst under attack by Allied aircraft.

In spite of their initial success the raiders had ended up losing one cruiser and severely damaging a battleship, greatly reducing the threat to the Allied shipping in the Mediterranean for some time. Thomas was transferred to the books of Valhalla II, a tender to Osiris II, on 1 August 1918, he remained in the area until the end of the war. Finally transferred to Europa II in February 1919 Thomas was demobilised on 12 June 1919; sold together with copied service papers.

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

Sold for
£520

Starting price
£420