orders, decorations, campaign medals and militaria - Spink

November 22, 2012 - LoNdoN
14
The Great War 1915 D.S.C. and Lloyd’s Medal Group of Four to Lieutenant J.R. Green, Royal
Naval Reserve, For His Gallantry In Facing Down a German U-Boat in a Four Hour Duel And
Keeping the Union Flag ‘Proudly Flying High’
a) Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., silver (Hallmarks for London 1914), reverse engraved in large serif
capitals ‘Lieut. John R. Green. R.N.R. 27th. March 1915’
b) British War Medal (John. R. Green)
c) Mercantile Marine War Medal (John. R. Green.)
d) Lloyd’s Medal for Meritorious Service, silver, circular type (Captain John Richard Green, D.S.C..
S.S.”Vosges”, 27th. March 1915.), suspension claw loose on last, otherwise nearly extremely fine, together with
various newspaper articles (4)
£1,000-1,400
D.S.C. London Gazette 9.4.1915 Lieutenant John Richard Green, Royal Naval Reserve
‘In recognition of his gallant and resolute conduct when the steamship “ Vosges,” of which he was in command, was
attacked by a German submarine on the 27th March, 1915.’
Attack on the Vosges
‘At 10:15 a.m. on the 27th March, 1915, the Vosges, bound for Cardiff, was approaching the Scilly Isles when the
German Submarine U28 [commanded by Captain G. von Forstner] suddenly appeared and ordered the steamer to heaveto.
Captain Green refused, increased speed, and fired rockets to summon help, having ordered all the firemen below and
asked the passengers to volunteer to assist them, which they did willingly. The submarine opened fire from straight astern.
A shell crashed into the Vosges, near the bridge, and Captain Green, hoisting the British Colours as a sign that he was
ready to accept battle, swung his steamer round in an attempt to ram the U boat. Although shell after shell crashed into
the Vosges, Captain Green did not abandon efforts to ram his attacker. One of the enemy shells cut the steamer’s ensign
staff and blew the flag overboard. Instantly Green hoisted another Union Jack at the foremast head. When this was also
carried away by a shell, the indomitable captain hoisted new colours which fluttered proudly from a signal yard.
The duel lasted four hours, and the steamer’s hull was riddled in some places, and numerous fires were raging, which the
crew and passengers were striving to extinguish. The chief engineer was killed near the stokehold by a shell striking him
in the chest whilst he was exhorting the firemen and volunteers to further efforts. The second mate was hit in the arm
whilst on the bridge. One fireman was hit in the wrist, and the mess-room boy was hit in the leg. The mate was slightly
wounded in the hand, and splinters also grazed the captain’s hand. One lady passenger was slightly wounded in the foot.
Eventually the submarine sheered off, when destroyers were signalled, and the Vosges made all speed to Milford Haven.
Water, however, was gaining rapidly on the pumps. Then H.M.S. Wintonia came up, all hands were safely transferred,
and the Vosges sank beneath the waves’ (account in the Liverpool Echo refers).
In recognition of his gallant conduct Green was granted a commission in the Royal Naval Reserve, back-dated to the date
of the action, and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Captain von Forstner, the commander of U28, writing that
evening in his diary, recorded: ‘I was so impressed by the extraordinary gallantry of this English captain, whose conduct
was above all praise, that if, contrary to expectation, his severely damaged ship reaches port, he, by his plucky conduct,
will have earned the reward offered by his Government.’
Lieutenant John Richard Green, D.S.C., of Liverpool; Commissioned Lieutenant, Royal Naval Reserve, 27.3.1915,
and awarded the Lloyd’s Medal for Meritorious Service.
14
25