Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce ‘Swift and Broke’ D.S.M. group of seven to Petty Officer A. Last, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (208689 P.O., H.M.S. Broke, 20-21 Apl. 1917); 1914-15 Star (208689 Act. Sh. Cpl.2, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (208689 P.O., R.N.); Defence and War Medals; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., Admiral’s bust (208689 P.O., H.M.S. Attentive), mounted for wear, some contact marks, nearly very fine and better (7) £1600-1800

D.S.M. London Gazette 10 May 1917 ‘Awards for services in the action between H.M. Ships Swift and Broke and German destroyers on the night of 20th - 21st April 1917.’ A total of 23 D.S.M.’s were 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.

Albert Last was born on 23 March 1884 at Saxmundham, Suffolk. A groom by occupation, he entered the Royal Navy in 1903. During the Great War he joined the destroyer H.M.S. Broke in August 1916 and remained with her until October 1919. He attained the rank of Petty Officer in March 1917. Last was pensioned in 1922. Sold with copied service papers and other research.