Baldwin & Sons
Auction 101 28 September 2016
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ORDERS, DECORATIONS AND MILITARY MEDALS, Gallantry Groups, A Rare Great War Q Ship Distinguished Service Cross Group of 4 awarded to Lieutenant F.G.J. Manning, Royal Naval Reserve who was decorated for his gallantry in Acton's successful against UC-72 in August 1917, he had earlier won a Mention in Despatches for leading the storming party that captured one of the Konigsberg's landed guns in Bagamoyo in August 1916, comprising Distinguished Service Cross; hallmarked London 1917; 1914-15 Star (S.Lt. F.G.J. Manning R.N.R.), British War and Victory Medals 1914-1920 with Mentioned in Despatches emblem (Lieut. F.G.J. Manning R.N.R.). Extremely fine, toned. (4)
Manning was transferred to "special service" in the summer of 1917, when he joined Q-ship Acton (a.k.a. Q-34) and it was in the same capacity that he won his D.S.C. for the destruction of UC-72 off the French Coast on 20 August 1917. Subsequent reports states:
"I have the honour to report on an action which took place between H.M.S. Acton and a submarine yesterday 20 August 1917.
Acton was steaming at 10 knots when at 6.25pm a submarine was sighted on the port quarter. Acton maintained approximately the same course and reduced speed to 8 knots, orders being at the same time given to make more smoke and to avoid blowing off steam. The submarine commenced firing at 6.25pm and continued at ranges varying from 8300 to 6000 yards until 8.00pm. During this time between 50 and 60 rounds were fired, eight of which were time-fused. The submarine ceased fire as boats were lowered. At 8.00pm the ship was stopped and a "panic abandon ship stations" were carried out: smoke boxes were fired in the well deck and steam leakage turned on.
At about this time the submarine submerged and carried out a close periscope inspection of the ship which lasted until 8.35pm. The submarine was so close that at one time it actually collided with the ship, shaking Acton fore and aft. It then came to the surface about 1000 yards away and hailed the boats to come along side, but as it was getting dark, the submarine was not seen through the spy-holes on the bridge. The next time it was seen, it was circling close round the ship on the surface, and at a range of between 200 and 300 yards, fire was opened on the submarine just before the port beam. Six rounds were fired, at least four of which hit the submarine, the certain hits being two abaft and below the conning tower and two on the conning tower. Loud shouts came up from the submarine when Acton opened fire. The submarine then submerged stern first and most of her conning tower was shot away.
The telegraph was put to full speed ahead, when the open fire bell was pushed and an attempt was made to ram the submarine as she submerged, a depth charge being dropped when over the spot where she submerged at 9.10pm. This exploded 10 to 15 seconds after being let go and sent up a column of black or dark brown water 25 to 30 feet high.
It was now very dark, so the boats were found and hoisted. The foremost fall of the port life boat had been shot away and caused a little delay in hoisting. When the boats were clear of the water, Acton commenced steering in a square, in the hope of finding wreckage on which to drop another depth charge or for picking up survivors, but unfortunately, at about 10.20pm, a light, then considered suspicious, but since only believed to be the reflection of a star, was seen and followed up.
Nothing further was seen of the submarine, and I consider it was sunk; but the darkness prevented small objects being seen in the water; though after depth charges had exploded the only man who was looking over the side aft said that the water had the appearance it would have "if the ship was throwing overboard ashes". The depth charge used seems to have gone into the submarine's swirl. The weather was fine and the sea calm".
Manning was awarded the D.S.C. and received a £40 share of the Admiralty's resultant prize fund. Sold with copied research.
Estimate: £2000-2500
Manning was transferred to "special service" in the summer of 1917, when he joined Q-ship Acton (a.k.a. Q-34) and it was in the same capacity that he won his D.S.C. for the destruction of UC-72 off the French Coast on 20 August 1917. Subsequent reports states:
"I have the honour to report on an action which took place between H.M.S. Acton and a submarine yesterday 20 August 1917.
Acton was steaming at 10 knots when at 6.25pm a submarine was sighted on the port quarter. Acton maintained approximately the same course and reduced speed to 8 knots, orders being at the same time given to make more smoke and to avoid blowing off steam. The submarine commenced firing at 6.25pm and continued at ranges varying from 8300 to 6000 yards until 8.00pm. During this time between 50 and 60 rounds were fired, eight of which were time-fused. The submarine ceased fire as boats were lowered. At 8.00pm the ship was stopped and a "panic abandon ship stations" were carried out: smoke boxes were fired in the well deck and steam leakage turned on.
At about this time the submarine submerged and carried out a close periscope inspection of the ship which lasted until 8.35pm. The submarine was so close that at one time it actually collided with the ship, shaking Acton fore and aft. It then came to the surface about 1000 yards away and hailed the boats to come along side, but as it was getting dark, the submarine was not seen through the spy-holes on the bridge. The next time it was seen, it was circling close round the ship on the surface, and at a range of between 200 and 300 yards, fire was opened on the submarine just before the port beam. Six rounds were fired, at least four of which hit the submarine, the certain hits being two abaft and below the conning tower and two on the conning tower. Loud shouts came up from the submarine when Acton opened fire. The submarine then submerged stern first and most of her conning tower was shot away.
The telegraph was put to full speed ahead, when the open fire bell was pushed and an attempt was made to ram the submarine as she submerged, a depth charge being dropped when over the spot where she submerged at 9.10pm. This exploded 10 to 15 seconds after being let go and sent up a column of black or dark brown water 25 to 30 feet high.
It was now very dark, so the boats were found and hoisted. The foremost fall of the port life boat had been shot away and caused a little delay in hoisting. When the boats were clear of the water, Acton commenced steering in a square, in the hope of finding wreckage on which to drop another depth charge or for picking up survivors, but unfortunately, at about 10.20pm, a light, then considered suspicious, but since only believed to be the reflection of a star, was seen and followed up.
Nothing further was seen of the submarine, and I consider it was sunk; but the darkness prevented small objects being seen in the water; though after depth charges had exploded the only man who was looking over the side aft said that the water had the appearance it would have "if the ship was throwing overboard ashes". The depth charge used seems to have gone into the submarine's swirl. The weather was fine and the sea calm".
Manning was awarded the D.S.C. and received a £40 share of the Admiralty's resultant prize fund. Sold with copied research.
Estimate: £2000-2500