Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War 1918 ‘Auxiliary Patrol’ D.S.M. group of five awarded to Signaller D. McD. Hall, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, for his gallantry when his vessel - H.M. Whaler Blackwhale - hit a mine, and sunk with the loss of twelve of her crew, 3 January 1918

Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (CZ/7. D. Mc. D. Hall, Sig. R.N.V.R. “Blackwhale” Aux Patrol. 1918) number and first part of name officially corrected; 1914-15 Star (CZ-7, D. Mc. D. Hall. Sig., R.N.V.R.); British War and Victory Medals (C.Z.7 D. Mc D. Hall. Sig. R.N.V.R.); Defence Medal, generally very fine (5) £500-£700

D.S.M. London Gazette 20 September 1918:

‘In appreciation of his conduct on the occasion of the loss of H.M. Whaler “Blackwhale” on 3 January 1918.’

Douglas McDonald Hall was born in March 1896, and joined the Clyde Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as Ordinary Seaman in September 1914. Service during the Great War included with the Blackwhale as part of the Auxiliary Patrol. Hall distinguished himself when the latter struck a mine laid by a German U-Boat off Fife Ness, 3 January 1918. She sunk with the loss of 12 of her crew. Hall was ‘Shore Demobilised’ in April 1919.