Mediterranean Operations

My membership in a society dedicated to medals research brought me a sales catalogue (Elite Collections, PO Box 56, Ponypridd, South Wales, CJ37 2YL (www.elite-collections.com). This included the following item. I do not actually buy medals (and I doubt that many readers of this Forum do either) but the information may interest some, notably those examining First World War Mediterranean operations:

A Great War DSM group of four to Able Seaman G.A. Chapman, Royal Navy for his good work on the Greek Island of Mityleni. Distingished Service Medal, GVR ("HMS Forward", 9th-15th October 1917), 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal 1914-1920, Victory Medal, 1914-1919. DSM in London Gazette, 24 April 1918, "...for the evacuation of Thermi Aerodrome, Mityleni on the 9th to 15th October 1917, which was carried out under a continuous bombardment and without loss of stores."

Thermi, on the Aegean island of Mityleni, was established as a front line Air Station in June 1915. "B" Squadron, RNAS, was engaged in anti-submarine patrols and also took part in the bombing of lines of communication. The enemy started makng reprisal attacks on Thermi. On 9 October, "B" Squadron moved from Thermi to a new aerodrome on Kalloni; while the move was in progress, Thermi was attacked.

George Alfred Chapman was born in Cambridge on 9 February 1886. He enlisted in the Royal Navy on 9 February 1904 stating his occupation as gardener. Never an ideal sailor, Chapman spent 14 days in the cells just over a month after the deed that won him the DSM. It was not his first offence. He was confined for 10 days in 1905 and five days in 1909. With both these confinements starting on 31 December it appears that Chapman may have over-indulged during the Christmas period and his last confinement may have been following a celebration after he had been recommended for his award.

Just one DSO and four DDSMs awarded for services on this occasion. Accompanying the medals, which are mounted court style for display, is a photocopy of Chapman's record of service.

£ 395.00

The above is a direct quotation from the catalogue. My only comment is that, if he was celebrating being put up for an award, then somebody else had clearly breached the rules, as persons were not to be informed of such recommendations; only when the "gong" had been formally approved for gazetting was the recipient to be told. This was to avoid disappointment in the event that recommended awards were NOT approved higher up the chain of command.