A superb Great War 'Ostend Raid' D.S.O. group of five to Engineer Commander W. A. Bury, Roya...

A superb Great War ‘Ostend Raid’ D.S.O. group of five to Engineer Commander W. A. Bury, Royal Navy, the officer who was severely wounded when he blew up Vindictive in Ostend Harbour on the night of 9-10 May 1918, having previously distinguished himself in Vindictive in the Zeebrugge Raid on 23 April 1918 Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; 1914-15 Star (Eng. Lt. Cr. W. A. Bury, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Eng. Commr. W. A. Bury. R.N.) the War Medal with re-engraved naming; Belgium, Croix de Guerre, A.I.R., mounted as worn, together with a mounted group of five related miniature awards but with 1914 Star, the B.W.M. with 7 clasps, North Sea 1914, Home Sea 1915, Narrow Seas 1916, Narrow Seas 1917, North Sea 1918, Zeebrugge Ostend, Ostend 10 May 1918, generally good very fine (5) £1,400-£1,800 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Spink, July 1995. D.S.O London Gazette 28 August 1918: ‘In recognition of the distinguished services mentioned in the foregoing despatch (Vice-Admiral Sir Roger J. B. Keyes. Commanding the Dover Patrol). The following officers who performed distinguished service in the second blocking operation against Ostend on the night of 9/10 May 1918: Engineer Commander William Archibald Bury, R.N. “This gallant officer greatly distinguished himself in Vindictive on 23rd April, and as soon as he knew another operation was contemplated, volunteered, begging to be allowed to remain in charge of the engine room department of that vessel. He worked most energetically to fit her out for further service, and on the night of 9th/10th May he again rendered invaluable service, setting a fine example to his men He remained in the engine room until the last possible moment, and when everyone was clear he blew the bottom out of the ship by firing the main and auxiliary after charges. He was severely wounded.” H.M.S Vindictive, the old cruiser, did much sterling work during the Zeebrugge-Ostend Raid on 23 April 1918. She was chosen as one of the two block-ships to be employed on an equally hazardous enterprise - the second crack at Ostend harbour on the night of 9/10 May following. Her after magazine and upper bunkers on both sides were filled with 200 tons of wet cement, the maximum she could carry for the depth of water in the approaches to Ostend harbour.