Presented here are transcriptions of various issues of the London Gazette which mention the men and boats of the Motor Launch Patrol. It will be seen that they faced dangers both in battle and, occasionally, at home. They also enjoyed the traditional benefits of life in the Royal Navy - like the awarding of salvage money. Additionally, I've broken out on seperate pages excerpts from the despatches of Admiral Keyes appearing in the Gazette following the actions at Zeebrugge and Ostend on the night of 22/23 April, 1918 and the follow-up action at Ostend on the night of 9/10 May, 1918 since these present larger blocks of information of interest.
The KING has been graciously pleased to confer the Decoration of the Albert Medal on: .
Ernest A. Pooley, Chief Motor Mechanic, M.B. 1627.
Herbert Powley, Deckhand, S.D. 1193.
The following is the account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred:-
On the 22nd April, 1917, a violent explosion occurred on board H.M. Motor Launch 431 while she was lying alongside the jetty at the Base. The after part of the vessel was wrecked, and it at once became known that Sub-Lieutenant Charles W. Nash, R.N.V.R., was buried beneath the wreckage. Chief Motor Mechanic Pooley and Deckhand Powley, who were on board their own vessel lying at the jetty some fifty yards astern, immediately hurried to the motor launch, which was by that time burning fiercely. The flames were every instant drawing nearer to the spot where Sub-Lieutenant Nash lay buried, and it was clear that there was imminent danger of the after petrol tanks exploding at any moment. Regardless of the fact that this would mean certain death to them, Powley and Pooley jumped on board the vessel and succeeded in extricating Sub-Lieutenant Nash from beneath the wreckage and carrying him to the jetty. As they were leaving the boat the whole of the after part burst into flames, and, in all probability, had they been delayed for another thirty seconds all three would have perished. Deckhand Powley, who led the way on board the burning motor launch, had subsequently to be sent to hospital suffering from the effects of fumes.
The London Gazette, 4 September 1917
NAVAL SALVAGE MONEY.
Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy,
Admiralty, S.W. 1, 12th October, 1917.
Notice is hereby given to all persons interested therein, that preparations are now being made for the intended distribution of the following awards: .
Salvage money awarded to H.M.S. "Zinnia" for the salvage of s.s. "Terek," 26th and 27th December, 1916. Salvage money awarded to H.M. Ships "Cave," "Ratapiko," "Emily," "Lapwing II." and motor launch "295" for salvage of s.s. "Zwaluw," 21st November, 1916. Agents or other persons having any just and legal demand, unliquidated, against the award are required to transmit the particulars of any such demand to the Registrar of the Admiralty Division of H.M. High Court of Justice, in order that the same may be examined, taxed, and allowed by that officer, arid paid under the sanction of the Judge of the said Court. Due notice will be given, by future advertisement in the London Gazette, of the date proposed for the commencement of distribution.
The London Gazette, 16 October 1917
(The men of M.L. 295 finally get their money...)
NOTICE OF INTENDED DISTRIBUTION OF NAVAL SALVAGE MONEY.
Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy,
Admiralty, S.W. 1, 17th November, 1917.
Notice is hereby, given to the Officers, Seamen and Marines, and to all persons interested therein, that the distribution of the award for the salvage of the schooner " Venedocian " by H.M.Y. "Boaclicea II" on 19th November, 1916, and the award for the salvage of the schooner "Zwaluw" by H.M. trawlers "Cave," "Ratapiko," " Emley" "Lapwing II," and motor launch "295," on 21st November, 1916, will commence on Wednesday, the 21st instant, in the Prize Branch of the Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy, Admiralty, S.W. All applications from persons entitled to share, who are not serving afloat, should be addressed "On Prize Business:.To the Accountant-General of the Navy, Admiralty, London, S.W. 1." Such applications (except in the case of Commissioned Officers) should be accompanied by Certificates of Service.
The London Gazette, 20 November 1917
NAVAL SALVAGE MONEY.
Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy,
Admiralty, S.W. 1., 22nd November, 1917.
Notice is hereby given to all persons interested therein, that preparations are now being made for the intended distribution of the following salvage awards:- Salvage of S.V. "Aryan" by H.M.S. "Avoca," 12th and 13th November, 1916. Salvage of S.V. "Alma" by H.M. Trawler "Meror," 28th August, 1917. Salvage of motor engine, ex S.S. "Bethlehem" by H.M. ships "Halcyon," "P 22," and Motor Launch "23," April and May, 1917.
Agents or other persons having any just and legal demand, unliquidated, against the award are required to transmit the particulars of any such demand to the Registrar of the Admiralty Division of H.M. High Court of Justice, in order that the same may be examined, taxed, and allowed Toy that Officer, and paid under the sanction of the Judge of the said court. Due notice will be given, by future advertisement in the London Gazette, of the date proposed for the commencement of distribution.
The London Gazette, 23 November 1917
(Note: M.L. 23 received their salvage money distribution on the 2nd of March, 1918 according to the Gazette of 1 March, 1918)
Admiralty, 16th May, 1918.
The KING has been pleased to award the Decoration of the Albert Medal to John George Stanners, Deckhand, R.N.R., O.N. 17562 D.A., and to Rupert Walter Bugg, Leading Deckhand, R.N.R., O.N. 5046 S.D., in recognition of their gallantry in the following circumstances:-
On the 29th December, 1917, some cotton waste, which had been stored in a wooden cupboard in the Magazine of H.M. Motor Launch No. 289, caught fire from an unknown cause. On the fire being discovered by the smell of burning and by the issue of smoke from the Magazine hatch, when opened, Deckhand Stanners, without hesitation, went down into the Magazine and brought up a quantity of the burning waste. Leading Deckhand Bugg, who was in Motor Launch No. 285, alongside No. 289, smelt something burning, and on observing Deckhand Stanners coming up from the Magazine with burning material, immediately went down and extinguished the remainder of the ignited cotton waste. The promptitude of action and the high courage shown by these men in the face of very grave danger averted a serious fire, and in all probability-saved both Motor Launches and the lives of those on board.
The London Gazette, 21 May, 1918
Admiralty, 20th August, 1918.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea to Commodore Sir James Startin, K.C.B., R.N.R. (Admiral, retired). The account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred is as follows:-
\An explosion occurred on board H.M. Motor Launch 64, on the 10th June, 1918. Immediately after the explosion Commodore Startin proceeded alongside M.L. 64, the engine-room of which was still burning fiercely. On learning that the engineer was below, he sprang down the hatch without the slightest hesitation, and succeeded in recovering the body practically unaided. In view of the fact that the bulkhead between the engine-room and the forward tanks had been blown down by the force of the explosion, and that the fire was blazing upon the side and on the top of the forward tanks, which are composed of exceedingly thin metal and were consequently liable to burst at any moment, the action of Commodore Startin in entering the engine-room before the fire was subdued showed the utmost possible gallantry and disregard of personal safety. Had the engineer not been past human aid he would undoubtedly have owed his life entirely to the courage and promptitude of Commodore Startin.
The London Gazette, 20 August, 1918
Admiralty, 20th August, 1918.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the Albert Medal for Gallantry in Saving Life at Sea to Lieutenant-Commander Keith Robin Hoare D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N.V.K., and Lieutenant Arthur Gerald Bagot, D.S.C., R.N.V.R. The account of the services in respect of which the Decoration has been conferred is as follows:-
On the 12th April, 1918, an explosion took place in the engine-room of H.M. Motor Launch 356, and the forward tanks burst into flame. The Officer and some of the crew were blown overboard by the explosion, and the remainder were quickly driven aft by the flames, and were taken off in a skiff. By this time the flames were issuing from the cabin hatch aft, and there was much petrol burning on the surface of the water. It was then realised by the crews of adjacent vessels that the aft petrol tanks and the depth charge were being attacked by the fire, and might explode at any moment. At the moment when others were running away, Lieutenant Hoare and Sub-Lieutenant Bagot jumped into their dinghy, rowed to the wreck, got on board, and removed the depth charge, thereby preventing an explosion which might have caused serious loss of life amongst the crowd of English and French sailors on the quay.
The London Gazette, 20 August, 1918
Admiralty, 9th October, 1918.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the award of the Albert Medal to Charles Davie Millar, Leading Seaman, O.N. 218811, in recognition of his gallantry in the following circumstances:-
On the 29th June, 1918, an outbreak of fire occurred on board Motor Launch No. 483 whilst refuelling alongside the jetty at Pembroke Dock, the fire being caused by the ignition of an overflow of petrol from the hose. Leading Seaman Millar, H.M.S. "P.C. 51," who was walking up and down the forecastle of his ship, on seeing the flames break out on the upper deck of the motor launch, immediately slid over the bows of his craft on to the motor launch, rushed aft, and removed the primers of the depth charges. He then forced his way through the flames and kicked the hose overboard, getting his clothes ignited as he did so. Having extinguished his burning clothing by jumping overboard, he climbed inboard again and assisted in getting the motor launch in tow. This man displayed initiative and disregard of danger, and by his prompt action he probably averted a serious accident. Had the depth charges detonated, very great damage would have been done and lives undoubtedly lost.
The London Gazette, 11 October 1918
Admiralty, S.W., llth April, 1919.
HONOURS FOB PALESTINE OPERATIONS.
(September-Novemiber, 1918.)
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the following honours, decorations, and medals to the undermentioned Officers and Men, in recognition of their services during Naval operations carried out in conjunction with Military operations in Palestine from September to November, 1918:-
To receive the Distinguished Service Cross:-
Lieut. Arthur Harvey Wells, R.N.V.R., H.M. Motor Launch 248.
For excellent service in connection with the landing of stores on the coast during the advance, doing much to expedite and assist this important work upon which so much depended.
The London Gazette, 11 April 1919
Admiralty, 30th June, 1919.
The KING has been graciously pleased to approve of the award of the following decorations and medals to the undermentioned Officers and Men:-
To receive the Distinguished Service Cross.
Lieut. Edward Ford Duncanson, R.N.V.R.
For distinguished services in command of H.M. Motor Launch M.L. 13. He has been responsible for the destruction of many enemy mines, when searching mined areas at low water.
Supplement to The London Gazette, 30 June 1919