Beschreibung:

The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals Eleven: Distinguished Service Cross, G.VI.R., the reverse officially dated ‘1940’; Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (J.15960 W. R. Bull, A.B. H.M.S. Leda. Minesweeping 1916); 1914-15 Star Trio (A.B./P.O. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; Defence and War Medals, mounted court style as worn, generally good very fine and a very rare combination (11) Footnote D.S.C. London Gazette 4 October 1940 “For initiative, resource and total disregard of danger in dealing with a live enemy mine.” The following recommendation and information was extracted from official records: “For initiative, ready resource, high courage and total disregard of known personal danger, thereby obtaining the first D.C. German mine and sinker complete this war.” Further details are given in the letter from Captain Minesweeping, Harwich, dated 9 August 1940, which accompanied his recommendation for awards: “A signal was received from HMS SELKIRK (Lt Commander A. C. Duckworth) reporting a mine in her sweep at 1357. Commander Bull was at this time having lunch ashore but in 19 minutes he had collected a Drifter and was out of his office under way for the scene - an example on initiative, resource and quick thinking. His report is that of a seaman, but makes no mention of the high degree of courage displayed, nor of his total disregard of the danger which he, a Port Minesweeping Officer, envisaged. It therefore gives me great pleasure to recommend him for a high decoration.” Signed G. W. Heaton, Captain R.N. Commander Bull received his D.S.C. at an Investiture held at Buckingham Palace 22 January 1941. D.S.M. London Gazette 1 January 1917 “The following awards of the Distinguished Service Medal have been made for services in connection with Minesweeping Operations.” The D.S.M. was awarded for distinguished services whilst serving aboard H.M.S. LEDA, an Alarm Class Torpedo Gunboat which had been converted for Minesweeping Duties, based at Sheerness Dockyard. Bull served on this ship carrying out Minesweeping Duties for over 2 years. William Robert Bull entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class in 1912. He joined H.M.S. IMPREGNABLE in this rank on 7 February 1912 and whilst serving in this ship he was advanced to Boy 1st class on 3 May. He next joined the Shore Bases H.M.S. VINCENT on 4 September 1912 and H.M.S. PEMBROKE on 4 January 1913. He joined his first seagoing ship H.M.S. LONDON on 10 January 1913 and was advanced to Ordinary Seaman on 15 December. He returned to PEMBROKE on 14 February 1914 prior to joining H.M.S. LEDA on 3 March 1914, and was advanced to Able Seaman on 27 August 1914. He served in LEDA for over two years before again returning to the Shore Base PEMBROKE on 2 October 1916. He was advanced to Leading Seaman on 1 November 1916 prior to joining JUNO on 15 February 1917. Whilst in this ship he was advanced to Petty Officer on 1 May 1918. On 3 October 1918 he was serving at the Royal Navy Depot, Bombay, returning yet again to PEMBROKE on 2 April 1919. He continued to serve ashore until 27 January 1920 when he was promoted to Warrant Rank. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 11 May 1923 and to Lt Commander on 11 May 1931. He retired in 1935 but was recalled for active service in 1940 and promoted to Commander as Port Minesweeping Officer Harwich. He was given Command on 2 September 1940 of H.M.S. PETER NELL, a hired yacht used in echo experiments. He was next appointed in December 1941 to Command H.M.S AMBITIOUS, Depot Ship for Minesweeping Operations. In August 1942 he was appointed to H.M.S. NILE, Base Ship Alexandria “For Special Services on the Staff of the Commander in Chief Mediterranean.” He continued to serve in this capacity until joining H.M.S. CHINTHE (Minesweeper) in August 1945. On being released from active service in 1946 he reverted to the Retired List. Commander Bull died on 30 May 1975. The group is accompanied by a copy of an Admiralty letter of 24 November