Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 25001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 309

The Great War Motor Launch 'Mine laying operations off the Gallipoli coast' D.S.C. group of three awarded to Lieutenant N. C. Akers, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

Distinguished Service Cross, G.V.R., hallmarked London 1919, and engraved on the reverse 'Noel. C. Akers. Lt. R.N.V.R. (Turkish) Coast. Minelaying off Gallipoli Jan to June 1918. Investiture May 8. 1919'; British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. N. C. Akers. R.N.V.R.), the D.S.C. mounted on original investiture pin and in its case of issue, additionally inscribed on the case, 'N. C. Akers.', very fine (3)

D.S.C. London Gazette 10 December 1918.

Noel Charles Akers was born on 25 December 1886 at Walthamstow, Essex, the son of chartered accountant Charles Akers and his wife Mary. Educated at Aldenham school from 1901 to 1903 Akers subsequently qualified as a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chemistry and was employed as a consulting chemist and manager at William Hay Ltd in Hull.

A keen yachtsman and a member of several sailing clubs - including the Royal Cruising Club, the Royal Yorkshire Yacht Club and the Royal Corinthian Club - prior to the war Akers not unexpectedly joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve as a Temporary Sub Lieutenant on 8 May 1916. Initially sent to the motor launch depot at Hermione, nicknamed 'the Vermy one', he was sent for additional instruction at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich.

His first posting was to ML 202 on 10 August 1916, serving aboard her until 4 August 1918; he had in the meantime been advanced to Lieutenant on 8 May 1917. Akers next served in ML 180 for a short spell before his last posting in the little ships, ML 245, and the Gallipoli coast where he was awarded the D.S.C. for minelaying operations. He was invested with his D.S.C. at Buckingham Palace on 8 May 1919 a few months prior to his demobilisation on 24 June. He returned to his civilian career as an analytical chemist in Hull and later died at Bridlington on 10 July 1966, his death being reported in several local newspapers.

For the Henley Royal Regatta Grand Challenge Cup Medal 1908 won by his brother, Sir W. A. Akers, please see Lot 437.


Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Estimate
£700 to £900

Starting price
£550