The Zeebrugge Raid. A 1927 Bronze Plaque Commemorating the 1918 Royal Navy Action Against this German Held Port. Pieter de Soete for Fibru-Fisch, in original card box.
The obverse featuring Victory rising from a cloud, St George slaying the dragon in the background, ‘Zeebrugge on St. George’s Day. April 23d. 1918’ at base. The reverse inscribed ‘To six very gallant Gentlemen: Lt. R. D. Sandford, V.C., R.N., Lt. J. Howell-Price, D.S.O., D.S.C., R.N.R., Sto. H. C. Bendall, C.G.M., Ldg. Sea. W. G. Cleaver, C.G.M., D.S.M., Petty Officer W. Harner, C.G.M., E.R.A. A. G. Roxburgh, C.G.M. 1918-1927’.
On 23rd April 1918 the Royal Navy attempted to block the Belgian port of Zeebrugge. The port was used by the German Imperial Navy as a base for U-boats and light shipping. The attempt to scuttle blockships failed, as they were not scuttled in the correct position. HM Submarine C3 was used to successfully ram and destroy a viaduct. Within a few days U-boats were operational in the port during high tides. Interestingly, two Mersey ferries were used in the raid due to their shallow draughts and double hulls.
Lieutenant Richard Douglas Sandford VC (Commander HM Submarine C3).
‘For most conspicuous gallantry. This officer was in command of submarine C.3, and most skilfully placed that vessel in between the piles of the viaduct before lighting her fuse and abandoning her. He eagerly undertook this hazardous enterprise, although well aware (as were all his crew) that if the means of rescue failed and he or any of his crew were in the water at the moment of the explosion, they would be killed outright by the force of such explosion. Yet Lieutenant Sandford disdained to use the gyro steering, which would have enabled him and his crew to abandon the submarine at a safe distance, and preferred to make sure, as far as was humanly possible, of the accomplishment of his duty.’
Lieutenant John Howell-Price DSO DSC RNR (HM Submarine C3).
‘His assistance in placing Submarine C.3 between the piles of the viaduct before the fuse was lighted and she was abandoned was invaluable. His behaviour in a position of extreme danger was exemplary.’
Stoker Henry Cullis Bendall CGM (HM Submarine C3).
Leading Seaman William Gladstone Cleaver CGM DSM (HM Submarine C3).
Petty Officer Waler Harner CGM (HM Submarine C3).
Engine Room Artificer 3rd Class Allan Gordon Roxburgh CGM (HM Submarine C3).
‘These four ratings were members of the crew of the Submarine C.3, which was skilfully placed between the piles of the Zeebrugge mole viaduct and there blown up, the fuse being lighted before the submarine was abandoned. They volunteered for and, under the command of an officer, eagerly undertook this hazardous enterprise, although they were well aware that if the means of rescue failed, and that if any of them were in the water at the time of the explosion, they would be killed outright.’
All extracts are from the London Gazette 23 July 1918.
Both the box and plaque are in excellent order.
Total approximate boxed weight is 91 grams.
Approximate plaque dimensions are 8 cm height and 4.6 cm width.