Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A scarce Great War submariner’s D.S.M. group of five awarded to Petty Officer A. J. Masterman, Royal Navy, who was decorated for his services in minelaying submarines in 1918, having been Mentioned in Despatches earlier that year

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (230438 A. J. Masterman, P.O. H.M. Sub. “E. 51” 1, July - 11, Nov. 1918); 1914-15 Star (230438, A. J. Masterman, L.S. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (230438 A. J. Masterman. P.O. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (230438 A. J. Masterman, P.O. H.M.S. Vernon.), a little polished, generally very fine (5) £800-£1,200

D.S.M. London Gazette 20 February 1919:
‘For services in Minelaying Submarines between 1 July and 11 November 1918.’

M.I.D. London Gazette 17 April 1918:
‘Honours for the Submarine Service.’

Arthur James Masterman was born on 28 July 1887 in Dorchester, entering naval service on 18 April 1904 as a Boy 2nd Class. He served in H.M. Submarine S1 from its commissioning in 1914, until December of that year, when he was drafted to Maidstone, Vernon and Dolphin until July 1915, when he joined H.M. Submarine U2, serving in her until August 1916. Having seen promotion to Petty Officer in December 1915, he served in E51 from March 1917 to September 1919. He was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 26 August 1920, and was pensioned to shore in June 1922.