Offered is a scarce Great War D. And Bar group of eight awarded to Captain A. Macrae, Royal Naval Reserve, who won both awards in a short period of time for his actions against enemy submarines whilst in command of Osprey. Distinguished Service Cross G. Hallmarks London 1917, with Second Award Bar, un-named as issued; British War and Victory Medals WITH M. 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, G. All medals un named as issued except the British War and Victory medals which are impressed named LIUET. Comes with copy service papers, London Gazettes, photograph and newspaper articles. There were only 91 D. & Bars awarded for the Great War. Commodore Alexander Beaton MacRae, was born on the 13/8/1884 at Stornoway, Lewis. His father was a fisherman who unfortunately drowned off the coast of Ness when the boat was swept under in a heavy swell, Alexander was 6 months old at the time. An only child he was raised by his mother who struggled financially. As a teenager, he was taught navigation in night classes by the wife of the local priest, a valuable skill in a fishing community. WW1: Following the outbreak of the war he enlisted with the Royal Navy Reserve on the 16/11/1914, he was posted as the 1. Lieutenant to the H. Coquette (D class destroyer) which was part of the Nore Local Flotilla based at Sheerness. She was sunk on the 7 /3/1916 at the entrance to Black Deep off the East Coast near Harwich after striking a mine laid by the German submarine UC-10 with the loss of 22 crewmembers including the captain. MacRae was one of the 40 survivors. Posted as commander to T. B 112 on 3/4/ 1916 and promoted Lieutenant 1/11/1916. S Osprey as commander 29/5/1917 22/11/1917 & 8/7/1918 8/1/1919. S Osprey (destroyer) was deployed to the North Channel patrol and based at Larne, Ireland. Her deployment included anti-submarine and counter-mining patrols as well as contraband enforcement. On the 8/6/1917 he was found responsible for the grounding of the Osprey in Lerwick harbour but received a letter of appreciation from the Admiralty for Attacking enemy submarines 8/8/1917. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for attacking an enemy submarine 20/10/1917 and the bar for similar action a month later. His biography credits him with the sinking of the two submarines. He demobilised January 1919 only to re-join in 1939 and was promoted to Commodore. His biography states that he was the Commodore in charge of the largest convoy to cross the Atlantic, some 60 ships. HX300 was 166 ships Post war he was the Kings Harbour Master at Stranraer until his final retirement. We list militaria and coins weekly. We provide quality mounted medals, badges and historical research. We can mount your miniature or full size medals, ribbon bars or supply replacement ribbons or badges. We can also conduct military research on your behalf and value cherished objects with a current market or insured value. We run two specialist military auctions per year. Items are accurately described & photographed. Additional costs for this standard service will be added for this service based on publicly available Australia Post rates. Please note, these items are located and will be posted from Australia. We appreciate fair feedback from you once you receive the item. We aim to give you, the customer our best customer service. The item “U-BOAT WW1 & 2 DISTINGUISHED SERVICE X & BAR MEDAL GROUP COMMODORE MACRAE DSC” is in sale since Tuesday, September 14, 2021. This item is in the category “Collectables\Militaria\1914 – 1918 (WWI)”. The seller is “jb_military_antiques_14″ and is located in 2/135 Russell St, Morley, Perth, WA. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Modified Item: No
- Campaign: World War I
- Theme: Militaria
- Product Type: Medals
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- Era: 1910s
- Country: Britain