Exceptional Naval and Polar Awards from the Collection of RC Witte

A good Great War battle of Jutland D.S.O. group of five awarded to Captain R. V. Alison, who was decorated for his gallant command of the destroyer Moresby

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamels; 1914-15 Star (Lt. Commr. R. V. Alison, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lt. Commr. R. V. Alison, R.N.); Coronation 1911, mounted court-style as worn, minor enamel damage to wreaths on the first, otherwise very fine and better (5) £3000-3500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, Exceptional Naval and Polar Awards from the Collection of RC Witte.

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D.S.O. London Gazette 15 September 1916:

‘For promptness and gallantry in taking advantage of the opportunity of attacking the enemy’s vessels with the torpedo on two occasions.’

Roger Vincent Alison was born in Glastonbury, Somerset, in January 1885 and entered the Royal Navy as a cadet in Britannia in September 1899. Advanced to Sub. Lieutenant in April 1904 and to Lieutenant in October 1906, he was serving as a recently promoted Lieutenant-Commander in the cruiser H.M.S. Black Prince on the outbreak of hostilities in August 1914.

In the first week of January 1915, however, he commenced a period of protracted service in destroyers, when he was given command of the Druid, of the 1st Destroyer Flotilla, and quickly saw action at Dogger Bank on the 24th of the same month, when he and his crew shared in the prize money for the enemy cruiser Blucher - Druid’s battle ensign from the engagement is today preserved at Ceiriog Memorial Institute in Wales.

Removing to the command of the Moresby in March 1916, he was next present at the battle of Jutland, and was awarded the D.S.O. for the above cited deeds - namely a brace of daring torpedo attacks. The first of these attacks was delivered at long range - about 8,000 yards - under a heavy and accurate fire, Moresby, and her consort, Onslow, being ‘smothered in falling salvos’. But, as Alison would recount in his official report, careful observation and use of the helm prevented any direct hits. Alison’s next attack was undoubtedly more successful:

‘I considered action imperative ... hoisted compass west, hauled out to port, firing a high-speed torpedo at 2.37 G.M.T. ... This incident and opportunity was over very quickly, as the enemy was steaming at 18 knots south-east. A concussion shook the ship about two minutes later ... Mist and smoke prevented the enemy being seen again, but I feel certain that the torpedo hit something.’

He was right. His torpedo had found the German destroyer V. 4, which sank.

In July 1917, Alison took command of the recently launched Umpire, in which capacity he remained actively employed until the War’s end, when he was advanced to Commander. And from then until being placed on the Retired List at his own request in January 1923, he held one more seagoing appointment, in addition to serving as a Staff Officer 2nd Grade in the Operations Division at the Admiralty.

Advanced to Captain on the Retired List in January 1930, Alison was mobilised shortly before the renewal of hostilities in September 1939, and served on the staff of the S.N.O., Port of London, and thence, in a similar capacity, on the Southampton Harbour Board, but he was discharged on account of sickness in the summer of 1940; sold with copied research.