Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War D.S.M. awarded to Leading Stoker G. H. Bell, for gallantry when H.M.S. Botha engaged and sank the German torpedo boat A-19 before she was herself torpedoed by the French destroyer Capitaine Mehl with the loss of 13 men

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (SS.105468. G. H. Bell, Ldg. Sto. “Botha” off Belgian Coast. 21. Mar. 1918.) good very fine £600-800

D.S.M. London Gazette 21 June 1918: ‘For services in the action with enemy destroyers off the Belgian Coast on the 21st March 1918: Leading Stoker George Henry Bell, ON SS.105468 (Ch.).’ Nine medals and one bar awarded for this action.

On the 21st March 1918, off the Belgium coast, H.M.S. Botha was part of an Allied naval task force which engaged a German flotilla, comprised of nine destroyers and six large torpedo boats and four small torpedo boats. The allied naval task force was comprised of the British Monitors Terror, General Crauford and M-25 , the destroyers Botha, Morris, Matchless, Myngs, North Star and Swift. The British ships were accompanied by the French destroyers Capitaine Mehl, Bouclier, Oriflamme and Magon.

During the action Botha engaged the German torpedo boat A-19 with gunfire and then sank it by ramming. Unfortunately, as Botha was extricating herself from the sinking German ship she was mistakenly identified by the French destroyer Capitaine Mehl. The Frenchman thought that she was engaging a German destroyer and fired a torpedo which struck Botha causing quite serious damage and killing 13 of her crew. The French destroyer was about to continue the attack but fortunately realised her mistake and disengaged.

The engagement was a victory for the Allied naval task force. The German flotilla withdrew with the loss of two vessels and the only losses to the British and French vessels was that inflicted by the French destroyer on H.M.S. Botha.