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Auction: 25113 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 566

The H.M.S. Sprightly D.S.M. 1917 awarded to Able Seaman W. F. Biss, Royal Navy, a gunlayer with the destroyer's forward 12 pounder who served with great coolness during an engagement with a German submarine on 6 April 1917

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (208205. W. F. Biss. A.B. H.M.S. Sprightly. 6 Apl. 1917.), polishing, contact wear, edge bruising, very fine

D.S.M. London Gazette 12 May 1917.

Francis William Burrows Biss was born at Bristol, Gloucestershire on 19 October 1884 and enlisted on 6 February 1900 as Boy Class II. His first service afloat was with Lion, just one week later, reaching his majority with Bulwark in 1902, Biss was advanced Able Seaman with the same vessel in February 1904. Serving on many vessels before the Great War including Empress of India, Cornwallis and Balmoral Castle, Biss entered the war aboard Quail.

This destroyer was stationed with the Seventh Destroyer Flotilla for the enter war however Biss only served with her until December 1916. Joining Sprightly on 3 December he was still with her on 6 April 1917 when she engaged a German submarine on the surface.

The recommendation for Biss' award found in ADM137/1277/202 notes he was serving as a gunlayer with the foremost 12-pounder of the warship and it was for his fine shooting during the engagement that the award was made.

Transferring ashore on 22 January 1918 he joined the cruiser Grafton on 8 September and served with her until 24 August 1919. Continuing to serve, Biss was pensioned on 10 June 1922 however he returned to service on 22 May 1940 for service in the Second World War as Petty Officer. Posted to the minesweeping shore-base Lochinvar he served there until his services were no longer needed on 11 March 1942.

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Estimate

Starting price
£280