A scarce ‘Swift and Broke’ D.S.M. group of five awarded to Petty Officer G. H. Froud, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (218906 G. H. Froud, P.O. H.M.S. Broke, 20-21 Apl. 1917); 1914-15 Star (218906 P.O. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (218906 P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue but with replacement fixed suspension (218906 P.O. H.M.S. Victory) contact marks, otherwise about nearly very fine (5) £1600-1800

D.S.M. London Gazette 8 May 1917 ‘Awards for service in the action between H.M. Ships Swift and Broke and German Destroyers, on the night of 20 to 21 April 1917’. Twenty-three D.S.M.’s awarded for this action.

In this famous and decisive night action the Broke, commanded by Commander E. R. G. R. Evans, of Antarctic fame, sank the German destroyers G85 and G42, besides torpedoing a third. The G85 was hit by torpedo, and then the G42 was rammed by the Broke. Such was the momentum of the ram that she continued to carry the crippled vessel bodily away at about 27 knots, and almost turned G42 on to her beam end. With her guns at maximum depression, Broke opened fire at point-blank range. Meanwhile, the next German destroyer astern of the stricken G42 passed ahead of Broke, while the one following passed astern of her. Amid the utter confusion, when all available guns were firing independently, the enemy, passing down Broke’s starboard side, were firing at point-blank range. The flames lit up the ship and made her a perfect target. She was punished severely, while still pushing G42 on her bow.

G42’s stern was sinking fast until finally Broke steamed right over her and then made to ram another vessel. The attempt failed, for just at that moment a shell burst in the engine room cutting the main steam pipes. Evans altered course for the sinking G85, whose survivors shouted “surrender” but, just as Broke was attempting to rescue the German sailors, a 4-in shell was suddenly fired from a turret gun, passing straight through Broke’s bridge. Broke replied immediately with with three rapid rounds and a torpedo at no more than 200 yards range, sealing the fate of G85 which sank shortly afterwards. Broke’s engines had by this time stopped through lack of water in her boilers and she was taken in tow by the Mentor.

Swift’s damage was negligible, for she had been hit only once beneath the forecastle, killing one of the crew and wounding four others. Broke, however, had received considerable damage. Her stern was bent and buckled, there were shell holes in every part of her and the funnels resembled sieves. The exploding shell in the boiler room had killed everyone in it, and by the end of the action Broke had suffered twenty-one killed, while while a further two died of their wounds and another twenty-seven were wounded.

George Henry Froud was born in Southampton on 14 July 1886. A baker by trade, he entered the Royal Navy in 1904 on his eighteenth birthday. He served during the Great War on board the Queen Mary before joining the Broke in August 1916. He remained in her until after the war and was finally pensioned ashore in July 1926. Sold with copy service papers.