Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30029, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/30029/supplement/3819. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to:- Commander Gordon Campbell, D.S.O., Royal Navy. In recognition of his conspicuous gallantry, consummate coolness, and skill in command of one of H.M. ships in action. GAZETTE ISSUE 31021, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/31021/supplement/13693. Admiralty, 20th November 1918. With reference to announcements of the award of the Victoria Cross to naval officers and men for services in action with enemy submarines, the following are the accounts of the actions for which these awards were made:- Action of HMS “Q5” on the 17th February 1917. On the 17th February 1917, HMS “Q5,” under the command of Commander Campbell, D.S.O., Royal Navy, was struck by a torpedo abreast of No. 3 hold. Action stations were sounded and the “panic party” abandoned ship. The engineer officer reported that the engine room was flooding, and was ordered to remain at his post as long as possible, which he and his staff, several of whom were severely wounded, most gallantly did. The submarine was observed on the starboard quarter 200 yards distant, watching the proceedings through the periscope. He ran past the ship on the starboard side so closely that the whole hull was visible beneath the surface, finally emerging about 300 yards on the port bow. The enemy came down the port side of the ship, and fire was withheld until all guns could bear at point blank range. The first shot beheaded the captain of the submarine as he was climbing out of the conning tower, and the submarine finally sank with conning tower open and crew pouring out. One officer and one man were rescued on the surface and taken prisoner, after which the boats were recalled and all hands proceeded to do their utmost to keep the ship afloat. A wireless signal for assistance had been sent out when (but not until) the fate of the submarine was assured, and a destroyer and sloop arrived a couple of hours later and took “Q5” in tow. She was finally beached in safety the following evening. The action may be regarded as the supreme test of naval discipline. The chief engineer and engine room watch remained at their posts to keep the dynamo working until driven out by the water, then remaining concealed on top of the cylinders. The guns' crews had to remain concealed in their gun houses for nearly half an hour, while the ship slowly sank lower in the water. (The award of the Victoria Cross to Commander Gordon Campbell, D.S.O., Royal Navy, was announced in London Gazette No. 30029, dated the 21st April, 1917.) DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/29603/supplement/5418. GAZETTE ISSUE 29603, DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER, The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the appointment to Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. In recognition of most valuable services in command of a detachment of Royal Marine machine guns in difficult and dangerous parts of the line in the Gallipoli Peninsula. D.S.O.BAR,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/30194/supplement/7424. GAZETTE ISSUE 30194, BAR to Distinguished Service Order. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order for services in actions with enemy submarines. D.S.O. SECOND BAR,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/30363/supplement/11315. GAZETTE ISSUE 30363, SECOND BAR to the Distinguished Service Order. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of a Second Bar to the Distinguished Service Order for services in action with enemy submarines. CROIX DE GUERRE,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/30363/supplement/11322. GAZETTE ISSUE 30363, The CROIX DE GUERRE is conferred by the President of the French Republic for distinguished services rendered during the War. His Majesty the KING has given unrestricted permission to wear the Decorations. LÉGION D'HONNEUR,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/30494/pages/1230.
Fold3_Team · 31/10/2023
Gazette Information: GAZETTE ISSUE 30029, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/30029/supplement/3819. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the grant of the Victoria Cross to:- Commander Gordon Campbell, D.S.O., Royal Navy. In recognition of his conspicuous gallantry, consummate coolness, and skill in command of one of H.M. ships in action. GAZETTE ISSUE 31021, VICTORIA CROSS,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/31021/supplement/13693. Admiralty, 20th November 1918. With reference to announcements of the award of the Victoria Cross to naval officers and men for services in action with enemy submarines, the following are the accounts of the actions for which these awards were made:- Action of HMS “Q5” on the 17th February 1917. On the 17th February 1917, HMS “Q5,” under the command of Commander Campbell, D.S.O., Royal Navy, was struck by a torpedo abreast of No. 3 hold. Action stations were sounded and the “panic party” abandoned ship. The engineer officer reported that the engine room was flooding, and was ordered to remain at his post as long as possible, which he and his staff, several of whom were severely wounded, most gallantly did. The submarine was observed on the starboard quarter 200 yards distant, watching the proceedings through the periscope. He ran past the ship on the starboard side so closely that the whole hull was visible beneath the surface, finally emerging about 300 yards on the port bow. The enemy came down the port side of the ship, and fire was withheld until all guns could bear at point blank range. The first shot beheaded the captain of the submarine as he was climbing out of the conning tower, and the submarine finally sank with conning tower open and crew pouring out. One officer and one man were rescued on the surface and taken prisoner, after which the boats were recalled and all hands proceeded to do their utmost to keep the ship afloat. A wireless signal for assistance had been sent out when (but not until) the fate of the submarine was assured, and a destroyer and sloop arrived a couple of hours later and took “Q5” in tow. She was finally beached in safety the following evening. The action may be regarded as the supreme test of naval discipline. The chief engineer and engine room watch remained at their posts to keep the dynamo working until driven out by the water, then remaining concealed on top of the cylinders. The guns' crews had to remain concealed in their gun houses for nearly half an hour, while the ship slowly sank lower in the water. (The award of the Victoria Cross to Commander Gordon Campbell, D.S.O., Royal Navy, was announced in London Gazette No. 30029, dated the 21st April, 1917.) DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/29603/supplement/5418. GAZETTE ISSUE 29603, DISTINGUISHED SERVICE ORDER, The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the appointment to Companion of the Distinguished Service Order. In recognition of most valuable services in command of a detachment of Royal Marine machine guns in difficult and dangerous parts of the line in the Gallipoli Peninsula. D.S.O.BAR,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/30194/supplement/7424. GAZETTE ISSUE 30194, BAR to Distinguished Service Order. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order for services in actions with enemy submarines. D.S.O. SECOND BAR,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/30363/supplement/11315. GAZETTE ISSUE 30363, SECOND BAR to the Distinguished Service Order. The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of a Second Bar to the Distinguished Service Order for services in action with enemy submarines. CROIX DE GUERRE,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/30363/supplement/11322. GAZETTE ISSUE 30363, The CROIX DE GUERRE is conferred by the President of the French Republic for distinguished services rendered during the War. His Majesty the KING has given unrestricted permission to wear the Decorations. LÉGION D'HONNEUR,: https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issues/30494/pages/1230.