Zeebrugge Raid 1918

[domwalsh]

Spooky indeed! Many thanks for that Susan, much appreciated.

By the way, keep a look out for Paul Kendall's new book, due out on St George's Day. Paul, a regular forum user, has spent years gathering new material and photos and £25 loks like money very well spent to me. Can't wait.

[Regulus 1]

Susan,

I'd like a copy as well if possible !

Thanks !

Dom,

Indeed Paul's book is already on my wanted list also !

And now you're telling me you have Osborne's medals ?

That is so great !

Best from Johan

[sadsac]

`Et Al', two awards for Zeebrugge - are / were they related ?? ;

SANDFORD. Francis H. DSO. LT. CDR. R.N.

VICE-ADMIRAL DOVER PATROL. GAZETTE 21. 5.18.

TO BE COMMANDER R.N. TO DATE 23. 4.18.

This officers staff work in the preparation of the demolition

arrangements generally, and in the fitting out of submarines

particularly, was invaluable. He planned the operation and the

rescue of the crew of the submarine destined for the destruction

of the Zeebrugge viaduct, and he carried out the rescue in the

face of almost insurmountable difficulties due to enemy action,

weather, and strong tides, by means of a service picket boat in

which he covered 170 miles during the voyage to and from the

Belgian Coast.

SANDFORD. Richard D. LIEUTENANT. R.N. `C.3'.

VICE-ADMIRAL DOVER PATROL. GAZETTE 23. 7.18. V.C.

Commanded `C.3' and most skilfully placed that vessel in

between the piles of the viaduct before lighting his fuse and

abandoning her, rather than trust to the less sure method of the

Gyroscopic steering engine. As I am recommending this officer

for the Victoria Cross. I need not here say more.

Son of Ethel R. Sandford, of 15 The Beacon, Exmouth, Devon, and the late Venerable E.G. Sandford, Archdeacon of Exeter.

Eston Cemetery, Yorkshire. Owned by Eston and Normanby Urban District Council.

Grave Reference ; J. U. 709.

Fourth Suppliment to `London Gazette' 19.07.18 reads ;

`For most Conspicuous Gallantry. This officer was in command of Submarine C.3,

and most skilfully placed that vessel in between the piles of the

viaduct before lighting his fuse and abandoning her. He eagerly

undertook this hazardous enterprise, although well aware (as were all

his crew) that if the means of rescue failed and he or any of his

crew were in the water at the moment of the explosion, they would be

killed outright by the force of such explosion. Yet Lt. Sandford

disdained to use the gyro steering, which would have enabled him and

his crew to abandon the submarine at a safe distance, and preferred

to make sure, as far as was humanly possible, of the accomplishment

of his duty.

GENERAL LOSS REGISTER 13 RNSM

Richard D died shortly after of pnuemonia - considered `war lost'.

Sadsac

[domwalsh]

The Sandfords were brothers Sadsac. Interestingly, Daniel Sandford, the BBC's Home Affairs correspondent is a great nephew or some such.

Cheers,

Dom

[sadsac]

Dom, a little late, and you possibly have these three awards !! ;

UNDERHILL George N/E Lt. RMLI 79D105 N/E

Vice Admiral Dover 23.07.18 Gazetted

Operations on Belgian Coast 23.04.18 Zeebrugge & Ostend DSC

Was in the Marine Storming Party.

Showed great coolness and courage. At a critical time he organised and led reinforcements with the greatest dash and contempt for danger. His action was of the utmost value to the success of the operation.

LAMPBRUGH Charles R.W N/E Lt. RMLI 79D105 N/E

Vice Admiral Dover 23.07.18 Gazetted

Operations on Belgian Coast 23.04.18 Zeebrugge & Ostend DSC

Was in the Marine Storming Party.

In spite of great difficulties, showed the greatest dash and determination in leading his men. He covered the retirement with great resource.

COOKE Theodore F N/E Lt. RMLI 79D101 N/E

Vice Admiral Dover 23.07.18 Gazetted

Operations on Belgian Coast 23.04.18 Zeebrugge & Ostend DSO

By his personal bravery under fire he set a magnificent example to his men, and led them forward with the greatest courage and dash in spite of being wounded. He was wounded a second time whilst endeavouring to carry a wounded man back to the ship.

Regards Sadsac

[Regulus 1]

sadsac,

Lampbrugh should probably be Charles Robert Wharram Lamplough, the future Major-General.

Best regards,

Johan

[sadsac]

DOM, JOHAN, `Et Al', find here details ONE of the crew HMS/m C.3 at Zeebrugge ;

CLEAVER WILLIAM GLADSTONE PO TGM P/ 221196 CGM DSM CdeG RN NE

140511

D1 MAIDSTONE

DOLPHIN FOR LTO 160120

LENT VERNON 160325 DOLPHIN

J3 160418 TITANIA

K6 161212 LENT VIVID

K6 170203 FEARLESS

C.3 180323 DOLPHIN

FOR TGM 180509 LENT VERNON

ADDITIONAL 181030 DOLPHIN

K6 181111 FEARLESS

DEMOBILISED 060219

24 CHURCH HILL, LEAMINGTON SPA, WARCS

CONSPICUOUS GALLANTRY MEDAL ( ZEEBRUGGE )

DSM CROIX de GUERRE C S EXPIRES 100616

SENIOR IN RATING 210905 AB 010417 LS 150618 PO

P.o.B ; Leamington, Warwick D.o.B ; 10.06.86 ADM 188 / 389

More of such to follow

Sadsac

[michaeldr]

quote: Lampbrugh should probably be Charles Robert Wharram Lamplough, the future Major-General.

Johan,

Holloway's book confirms that

mentioning that Arthur Chater also became a Major General

regards

Michael

ps:

LAMPLOUGH, Charles Robert Wharram (1896-1981), Major General

Commissioned Royal Marines 1914; World War I in Mediterranean, Grand Fleet, Dardanelles and Zeebrugge 1914-1918; World War II 1939-1945; Naval Staff, Admiralty 1937-1943; Maj Gen on staff, Supreme Allied Commander, South East Asia 1943-1946; Commander, Plymouth Group Royal Marines 1946-1949; retired 1949

CHATER, Maj Gen Arthur Reginald (1896-1979)

Born 1896; entered Royal Marines as 2nd Lieut, 1913, serves with RM brigade in Flanders, 1914; Gallipoli, 1915 (despatches, French Croix de Guerre); Grand Fleet, 1916-1917; Adjutant of RM Bn which landed from HMS Vindictive at Zeebrugge, 23 Apr 1918; served in Egyptian Army, 1921- 1925; Sudan Defence Forces, 1925-1931; commanded Sudan Camel Corps, 1927- 1930; commanded military operations in Kordofan, 1929-1930; Senior RM Officer, East Indies Station, 1931-1933; Home Fleet, 1935-1936; Commanded Somaliland Camel Corps, 1937-1940; commanded defence of British Somaliland, 1940; Military Governor and Commander troops British Somaliland, 1941-1943; Commander Portsmouth Div Royal Marines, 1943-1944; Director of Combined Operations, India and South-East Asia, 1944-1945; MGGS, 1945-1946; Commander Chatham Group Royal Marines, 1946-1948; one of HM's Body Guard of Honorary Corps of Gentleman-at-Arms, 1949-1966 and Harbinger, 1952-1966; Col Commandant Somaliland Scouts, 1948-1958; Member Berkshire Cricket Club, 1955-1961; Member of Anglo-Somali-Society, 1960-1979; died 1979.

additional info from the Liddell Hart index, KCL

Edited 3 April , 2008 by michaeldr

[wulsten]

Heres a Staffordshire chap

[sadsac]

JOHAN, MICHAEL, thanks for info re LAMPLOUGH / LAMBRUGH - info taken from an hand-written document so I / inputer at fault ??

Sadsac

[sadsac]

DOM, two more crew of C.3 at Zeebrugge, to late for inclusion in book !

Be good to see a book that mentions ratings of crew in such actions, instead of Lt. / Lt.Cdr / Cdr ??? did such & such ;

HARNER WALTER PO ST D/ 228795

NE RN NE J/S 170415

SC 150417 DOLPHIN

151022 ALECTO

161103 DOLPHIN

K2 170310 FEARLESS DOLPHIN

C3 170720 MAIDSTONE

SC 180312 DOLPHIN

H30 180909 VICKERS BARROW

P.o.B ; Beer, Devon D.o.B ; 04.08.87 ADM 188 / 404

BENDALL HENRY CULLIS CSTO C/K 5343

NE RN D.o.B ; 241091 J/S 170317

SC 170317 DOLPHIN

SC 170406 MAIDSTONE

C3 170420 MAIDSTONE

C3 180312 DOLPHIN

HOSP 180423 DOLPHIN DEAL WOUNDED ZEEBRUGGE

SC 180628 DOLPHIN ALECTO

ADM 188 / 877

Sadsac

[sadsac]

DOM, one more of crew of C.3 at Zeebrugge ;

ROXBURGH ALLAN GORDON ERA3 C/ 272442

NE RN D.o.B ; 040991 J/S 160416

SC 160428 DOLPHIN

SC 160914 THAMES

C3 160916 THAMES

G3 170219 MAIDSTONE

TO SHORE FREE DISCHARGE C-C PORTSMOUTH

AWO 416/20 OF 612/25 OF 4/3/20

DISCHARGED 17/3/20

P.o.B ; Derby D.o.B ; 04.09.91

Sadsac

[sadsac]

DOM, JOHAN, at risk of being boring, but could not resist posting these two awards for VINDICTIVE, especially as I recall initial posting asked for info re R.M's ;

COLSON Henry St. C MB Surgeon RN 79D077

Vindictive Vice Admiral Dover Patrol 21.05.18 Gazetted

Operations on Belgian Coast 23.04.18 (Zeebrugge & Ostend)

To be Staff Surgeon R.N. to date 23.04.18

Attached to the Royal Marine Storming Party. Major Weller reports that this officer worked under the greatest disadvantage, often in gas fumes, and by the light of only a torch. In these conditions he carried on for many hours and displayed the utmost devotion to duty. The Captain of Vindictive and Staff Surgeon McCutheon report that Surgeon Colson was also of the greatest assistance in dealing with seaman cases when not employed attending to Marines, and that his work was most valuable.

BAMFORD Edward DSO Captain RMLI 79D078

Vindictive Vice Admiral Dover Patrol 21.05.18 Gazetted

Operations on Belgian Coast 23.04.18 (Zeebrugge & Ostend)

VC & To be Major R.M.L.I by Brevet to date 23.04.18

Is reported by Major Weller as having displayed the greatest initiative in the command of his Company, and by his total disregard of danger, having shown a magnificent example to his men. I would endorse Major Weller's by stating that having called for a ballot amongst the Royal Marine Storming Party as to who should receive the Victoria Cross as the representative of a body who all participated in a "gallant and daring act", the first choice fell on Captain Bamford.

Regards Sadsac

[domwalsh]

Very many thanks for the cutting Wulsten. Just what I am looking for for my book. Could I ask the newspaper and date? Also, would you be able to email me the file to dominic.walsh@ireland.com as it's slightly tricky to read.

Thanks again,

Dom

[wulsten]

Emails sent i think you may have had the details in previous email, sorry the quality is not brilliant

[domwalsh]

Thanks again, much appreciated

[sadsac]

DOM, have you any photo's to go with the 4 chaps that I have posted for you ;

ROXBURGH / BENDALL / HARNER / CLEAVER ???

Do you know any more names of crew of C.3 ????

Sadsac

[Regulus 1]

Sadsac,

I don't think that there's any risk at all of being boring with such a great information, sincere thanks for that ! :-)

Best from Johan

[domwalsh]

Yes, I do have C3 photo/names. I'll have a look and post later

Dom

[domwalsh]

Sadsac,

Unfortunately My scanner is on blink, but I have pix of all four men you list. The only other crew was the commander Lt Sandford VC.

Best

Dom

[sadsac]

Hello DOM, many thanks for your repl. Would very much like photo's of crew C.3.

Have noticed your Em add to WULSTEN, and am Eming to that add for further `contact'.

Hope you do not mind.

Many regards Sadsac

[domwalsh]

Leave it with me Sadsac. Feel free to contact Wulsten.

Dom

[domwalsh]

Somebody was asking about a Pte Sneyd RMLI whose body was found in the sea almost a month after the raid. I've lost your details so please make yourself known.

Cheers,

Dom

[domwalsh]

Sadsac,

Photos of C3 crew in the post to you.

Best regards,

Dom

[domwalsh]

I did it! I managed to get the Zeebrugge Raid into the Times City Diary!

Business

The Zeebrugge Raid 1918;UK Business;City Diary

Dominic Walsh

135 words

16 April 2008

The Times

(Photograph) - St George's Day next week marks the 90th anniversary of the famous naval raid on Zeebrugge and Ostend, for which 11 Victoria Crosses were awarded. A new book, The Zeebrugge Raid 1918 - The Finest Feat of Arms, by Paul Kendall, provides a fascinating insight into the men who took part. Among them was a young naval lieutenant, Oscar Henderson, who was awarded the DSO for his gallantry. He later became managing director of The Belfast News Letter, reputedly the world's oldest surviving daily newspaper. Henderson also co founded Ulster Television (now UTV) in 1958 and five years later he helped to launch Sunday News, the first Sunday newspaper in Northern Ireland. A remarkable man.

© Times Newspapers Ltd, 2008