Exceptional Naval and Polar Awards from the Collection of RC Witte 1157
A rare Great War Mespotamia operations D.S.C. group of seven awarded to Lieutenant-Commander G. A. Feilman, Royal Canadian Naval Volunteer Reserve, late Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, who was decorated for his gallant deeds in the gunboat Tarantula on the Tigris during the advance on Baghdad in early 1917
DISTINGUISHED SERVICECROSS, G.V.R., hallmarks for London 1917, the reverse privately inscribed, ‘Lieut. G. A. Feilman, R.N. V.R., Mesopotamia, 22nd February 1917’; BRITISHWARMEDAL 1914-20 (Lieut. G. A. Feilman, R.N.V.R.); MERCANTILEMARINE WARMEDAL 1914-18 (G. A. Feilman), an official late claim, circa 1940; VICTORYMEDAL 1914-19, M.I.D. oak leaf (Lieut. G. A. Feilman, R.N.V.R.); DEFENCE MEDAL 1939-45, cupro-nickel; CANADIAN VOLUNTARY SERVICE MEDAL 1939-45, with overseas clasp; WAR MEDAL 1939-45, cupro-nickel, mounted as worn, generally good very fine (7)
£1800-2200 D.S.C. London Gazette 21 September 1917:
‘For coolness and resource under very heavy fire, in firing with machine-guns on Turkish infantry and machine-guns, when all other men were employed in working the main armament of 6-inch, 12-pounder and pom-poms.’
Gerald Alfred Feilman was appointed a Temporary Sub. Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve in November 1915, an appointment that he deferred at his own request until February 1916, when he joined the Insect-class gunboat H.M.S. Tarantula - quite possibly on account of commitments with the Mercantile Marine. Be that as it may, he quickly witnessed active service on the Tigris, not least in the advance on Bagdad in early 1917, in which operations he won his D.S.C. - an excellent account of the flotilla at work maybe found in Tigris Gunboats by Wilfred Nunn.
As stated by Vice-Admiral R. E. Wemyss in his despatch dated 21 March 1917, the advance on the right bank of the Tigris commenced in December 1916, when our troops secured Shatt al Hal, and Tarantula, under Commander H. G. Sherbrooke, R.N., thereafter played a crucial role in lending close artillery support to our troops ashore. Early in the new year, however, our forces were held up by extremely strong opposition from the Turks at Sannaiyat. The Admiral’s despatch takes up the story:
‘Operations proceeded in a most satisfactory manner, and early in February our forces were in possession of the right bank as far as to the westward of Kut el Amara, with bridges over the Hai, large numbers of prisoners having been taken, guns captured, and heavy loss inflicted on the enemy.
After intense bombardment, in which the gunboats co-operated, a successful assault of the Sannaiyat position was made on 22 February, and a footing obtained in the Sannaiyat position. Dur ing the night of the 22nd-23rd dummy attempts were made to cross the river in various places above Sannaiyat, and just before daybreak of the 23rd covering parties were rowed across the Tigris near Shumran in pontoons, a surprise landing effected, and a bridge thrown across.
By evening the infantry of one division had crossed, and another followed, the enemy trying ineffectually to stem the British advance on the Shumran peninsula.
Meanwhile our troops were pushing forward boldly through the Sannaiyat position.
The whole Turkish position was manifestly becoming untenable, and they commenced a general retreat, which developed later into a rout.
I was present at the operations on board H.M.S. Tarantula ... and on the forenoon of 24 February I moved up river with Tarantula, Moth, Mantis, Butterfly and Gadfly, and arrived at Kut el Amara at 9.30 p.m., where I landed and hoisted the Union Jack.
The town was deserted and in ruins. Early on the morning of the 25th I moved on up river and communicated with our troops near Shumran.
Floating mines had been seen in the river, but were easily avoided.
During the morning I received a message from the Army Commander asking me to co-operate in pursuing the retreating Turkish Army, and I pressed on up river. We were abreast of our leading Infantry at about 9.30 a.m. and in sight of the Turkish rearguard, on which we at once opened with rapid fire, inflicting heavy casualties. This the enemy soon returned, opening an accurate fire on us with field batteries, and several 5.9 howitzers from a prepared position among the sand hills in the neighbourhood of Imam Mahdi. Our troops were advancing, and some of our field artillery considerably relieved the situation by the rapidity with which they came into action.
The battle continued, during the day - all ships being hit by splinters of shell - but luckily no serious damage was done. Lieutenant John H. Murdock, R.N.R., of H.M.S. Mantis, was somewhat severely wounded in the afternoon. The enemy evacuated their position during the night, and we pushed on with the Army in pursuit on the morning of 26 February.
It soon became evident that the Turkish Army was much demoralised, and I received a message by W./T. from General Sir F. S. Maude during the forenoon to push on and inflict as much damage as possible.
We proceeded at full speed in Tarantula, leading Mantis and Moth, and H.M. ships Gadfly and Butterfly following at their utmost speed. My flotilla passed the small town of Bghailah at 2 p.m. White flags were flying over the town, and later on Commander Ernest K.
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