A Great War D.S.M. group of eight awarded to Leading Seaman A. M. Polyblank, Royal Navy,...

A Great War D.S.M. group of eight awarded to Leading Seaman A. M. Polyblank, Royal Navy, who was decorated for services in H.M. Submarine R12, mentioned in despatches whilst serving as Second Coxswain of H.M. Submarine D4 when she attacked UB-72 in May 1918, also awarded the Roumanian Cross of Military Virtue, and later Royal Australian Navy Distinguished Service Medal, G.V.R. (223681 A. M. Polyblank, Ldg. Sea. H.M. Sub. “R-12” 1 July – 11 Nov. 1918); 1914-15 Star (223681 A. M. Polyblank. A.B. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (223681 A. M. Polyblank. L.S. R.N.); War Medal 1939-45 and Australia Service Medal, these two officially impressed (9256 A.M. Polybank); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R. (223681 A. M. Polyblank. Ldg. Smn. H.M.A.S. Platypus); Romania, Cross of Military Virtue, 2nd Class, edge bruising and contact marks, otherwise about very fine (8) £3,000-£3,600 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- D.S.M. London Gazette 20 February 1919: ‘For services in submarines between 1st July and 11th November 1918.’ M.I.D. London Gazette 21 June 1918: ‘For services in action with enemy submarines.’ Romania, Cross of Military Virtue, 2nd Class, London Gazette 17 March 1919: ‘For distinguished services rendered during the war.’ Romania’s highest decoration for bravery; five First Class and twenty Second Class crosses awarded to the Royal Navy during the Great War. Alfred Mordant Polyblank was born at Poplar, London, on 15 August 1885, and joined the Navy in November 1902 as a Boy 2nd Class , a leather box maker by trade. From September 1903 to April 1904 he served on the Australian station in the ships Wallaroo and Katoomba, and no doubt this influenced his decision to join the Royal Australian Navy after the Great War. He joined the submarine service in October 1912 and served in the D4 from March 1917 to June 1918. During this period he was mentioned in despatches, as Second Coxswain of D4, when she attacked UB-72 on 12 May 1918. One week before the end of the war he joined R12, in which he served until March 1919 when he enlisted into the R.A.N. and joined J2, in which submarine he served until June 1922, now as a Petty Officer. He received his L.S. & G.C. in February 1920 and retired on pension in August 1925. He was recalled for service during W.W.2 and was finally discharged from H.M.A.S. Rushcutter as a Boatman II (A.B.) on 4 October 1945.